As we approach spring, if you are a property owner, it has probably crossed your mind that now is the time to start turning your attention to your yard and landscaping situation. Maybe you are a “do-it-yourselfer” and you are starting to hit your local garden center every weekend looking for the right plants and shrubs to enhance your outdoor space. You’ve started tuning up the ride-on mower and blowing the dust off your shovels and rakes as you get ready to take on the suburban jungle that lies outside your front door.
Or maybe you are like many of us and you rather spend your time playing with your kids and doing things that you actually enjoy, so have started looking at potential landscapers to take care of all that outdoor work for you.
Well if you find yourself in this second group then it is important you know what questions you should be asking a potential landscaper. Questions that will help you separate the capable professionals from the kids who “borrowed” their dad’s lawnmower and are just trying to make a few bucks to buy beer this weekend.
Trust us, if you ask these potential landscapers these 6 questions you will go a long way towards ensuring you get the right company for the job.
1. What is your experience?
Listen, anyone can go to a garden center and pick out beautiful flowers and plants BUT a professional landscape designer with the proper education and experience will be able to recommend and select the right plants for your outdoor space.
Plants and flowers that will:
– Grow to the right size for the chosen planting area
– Provide color in all 4 seasons not just summer or spring
– Offer a variety of textures that will make your landscape explode
– Thrive in your lighting and soil conditions
At New Life we understand that one size doesn’t fit all. Each project has different requirements. Don’t choose someone who lacks the experience to offer you this type of tailored service.
2. Plan of Action
Since you are investing so much money into your landscape make sure your landscaper has a plan of action. Find out how they are going to schedule your job?
Can they provide you with a design or a layout so you are both on the same page when it comes to the design of your space. They should be able to walk the property and then sit down with you to put together the proper plan.
At New Life we have plan for every job. In fact, we offer 3D imaging and overview drawings to walk you through your virtual landscape before we even get started.
Your property is one of your greatest investments. Make sure your landscaper values it the way you do.
3. Material Reliability (cost effective)
If you are thinking of getting a paver patio or deck installed make sure you see pictures of previous work done. Ask lots of questions about the different styles and materials to make sure you are getting the best material for the best price.
A good landscaper should know what materials are good but still cost effective, and should also be able to tell you which materials are banking on a recognized name but not worth the huge price tag that comes along with that fancy name.
At New Life we look at quality but we also look at value. So when we talk to a client we make sure that both considerations are taken into account when it comes to the section of materials.
4. Maintenance Plan
Once the the landscaping and/or construction is done make sure to ask them how to maintain it, or if you don’t have the time, have them offer you a quote to maintain it for you.
One of the worst things you can do is spend money installing a new landscape, creating a backyard getaway an/or or upping your front yard curb appeal just to let it go to waste over the years with no maintenance.
You will run into problems that are more expensive down the road. Best to spend a little at a time to keep it maintained on a regular basis so that you can enjoy your newly designed living space year round.
A good landscaper will be able to guide you in this area and should be concerned enough to do so.
5. What is your warranty if any?
This one is pretty simple. Do they offer a warranty?
At New Life we warranty our work. We want you to feel confident in your investment and even though we are sure you won’t have any issues, we want to make sure there is some protection in place should an unforeseen problem occur.
6. Budget
Make sure you let them know your budget and ask them if they can work within it. It is easy to dream big. But don’t waste your own time or the landscapers time. Make sure you are both on the same page with the right budget.
Landscaping or Hardscaping is expensive and can add up quickly. If your budget is properly managed by your landscaper you should be able to stay within budget and still get what you want (as long as your budget is reasonable).
If your budget is too low for what you want a great landscaper can provide you with a good alternative to either meet your goal in one shot or know how to properly break it up in to a two part job while not leaving the first part looking undone or incomplete.
This will make it easy to save up more money and still add on to reach your ultimate goal.
So go ahead and start planning your outdoor getaway. Just make sure you get the right people for the job. And of course, if you want to make sure you have a landscaper that can answer all of these questions and meet all your expectations then look no further.
Get a FREE estimate from New Life today.