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House & Home
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Choosing a Landscape Contractor
By Bill McRea
Investing in a home landscaping project is
a smart decision. Time, a budget, and a well-thought
out plan are crucial for satisfactory results.
You will need to invest time in searching
for the best professional landscape contractor
available who can stay within your budget
and yet do a satisfactory job. Look for someone
who is both creative and competent, who can
achieve the look you envision and meet your
unique requirements.
A well-thought out plan is also crucial.
Write down your landscaping ideas, including
the specific details. You may want to cut
out pictures from gardening magazines that
interest you.
Next, prepare a budget. Is your dream garden
financially feasible? Is it practical, or
do you need to make some adjustments and/or
compromises?
If you know what you want, it will be easier
to identify alternatives if your budget fails
to accommodate your vision. Having a plan,
budget, and timetable for your landscape project
will make it easier for you to negotiate with
your landscape contractor. He/she is your
practical accomplice in ensuring that this
project will meet your budget and assure that
it will look as much as possible like what
you envision.
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Now, you are
ready to choose a landscape contractor.
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Landscape contractors
are capable of doing many different jobs.
Ensure you identify specifically what you
want him to do. If you like gardening and
want to do some of the work yourself, communicate
this with your contractor. That will not
only help him provide an accurate estimate,
it will save you money.
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Be sure that
you have already identified exactly what
you want in the landscape design. Your ideas
should be well defined before you even speak
to a professional contractor. Do let him
know that you would appreciate his professional
expertise and input - he may have ideas
you will like, or he may make suggestions
as to how to achieve a similar look with
less cost.
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Know the reputation
of the landscape companies you speak with,
and don't be afraid to negotiate. Gauge
their level of experience and the quality
of their work by asking for photos or tours
of previous projects. You should also ask
for references and for their professional
affiliations.
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Ensure the company
is operating legally.
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Everything you
agree to must be in writing. Never allow
a contractor to start working without a
written contract, including specific pricing.
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Do all these things, and you can be confident
that you will satisfied with your new home
landscaping.
Bill McRea is the publisher
of Garden
Facts also Garden
Decor and Landscape
Trees Landscaping and Gardening with information
and products.
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