Choosing a Licensed Garden Installation Contractor

Whether you are looking for a White Plains landscape architect or a New York architect, choosing the best landscape designing contractor requires patience and a bit of research work. After all, you only want the best hands and talents to work on your backyard or front yard landscape design. There are thousands of landscaping businesses these days, and it can be hard for ordinary homeowners and business owners to find a reputable, honest, reliable, and skillful firm. Hiring a landscape professional can mean everything from hiring a teenager to plant a flowerbed to contracting landscaping companies to lay out a residential development or a new office park. 

Know your landscaping and garden installation needs

As the client, you are the one who is driving this process. Before even researching for contractors in your area, make sure you spend time thinking about your goals for this project—the amenities you want, your garden design, and so on. Are you planning to grow a rose or herb garden? Do you have kids at home? What outdoor activities will your yard support? What are some of the features you need? Outdoor kitchen, ponds, waterfalls, water efficiency, and play areas? If you aren’t sure about translating your landscaping goals into features or products, think about hiring a professional landscape designer or design firm that offers such service.

Come up with a feasible budget

Closely consider the finances you have for your gardening needs. The overall cost of a landscaping project varies based on various factors, including garden features, area size, current terrain conditions, details, material choices, and level of craftsmanship required. 

Accept bids from various contractors

Three bids from various garden installation contractors is considered enough, but having six gives you a clearer picture of how these organizations stack up against each other. You will not only get a clear perspective on costs, but also an idea of the quality of work each company provides. For instance, one company may provide a marginal work and bargain rate; another’s high bid may indicate high quality workmanship. 

Perform background checks

Even if a family member, friend, or colleague has recommended a certain contractor, it would be best to establish minimum credentials. Get the company’s full, name address, and contact information, and make sure that it has insurance coverage and updated state license. Get a company’s license number and policy number, and verify if they are valid. Know if a company has dealt with legal actions and formal complaints in the past by checking with the Better Business Bureau. 

Study the company’s work habits

Some landscaping companies are generalists and others are specialists. Match a company’s abilities to your project needs. Take the time to view their portfolio or see their work firsthand and examine four crucial things: (1) quality materials, (2) workmanship, (3) project similarities; and (4) client satisfaction. Look closely at small indicators that show professionalism or the lack thereof. Does the company promptly return your phone calls? Are appointments and meetings kept? Does the company dress code and vehicles reflect professionalism, cleanliness, and pride? 

Be wary of contract details

Read your garden installation contract before signing it. A contract should include start/completion dates, details of services and products to be used, payment terms, applicable building permits and other fees, workmanship warranty, license verification, and so on. The contract should also include consequences of default by either party. Default may include the company’s failure to pay their contractors; you should be excluded from liability when this event happens.