The correct contractor will make your landscaping easy to live with during and after the process.
I moved my peony bush last year from the back yard to the front of my home. I didn’t need to hire a professional to do that job, but I wouldn’t have minded renting someone else’s back for the afternoon. This summer, I’d like to swap out an ailing evergreen for a red maple, plant a rain garden, and reposition the deck. I might require a little more help this time.
Eric Beard is the president of Easy Living Landscapes in Indianapolis, IN where he offers landscape design and contracting services. We tapped into his considerable expertise to find out what an average homeowner should know when selecting landscape contractors.
Who Needs a Landscape Contractor?
The first thing to think about is whether you should hire someone to do your landscaping at all. If you have existing landscaping that simply needs sprucing up or if you just want to install a flower bed, this may be something you could do on your own.
Sometimes, though, we all need a little advice. “As a professional,” says Eric, “I have the training and experience necessary to take the homeowners’ ideas and make them a practical reality.” If you think you know what you want, but aren’t sure how to get there, you would be well served by some professional landscape design services.
What Should I Know and When Should I Know It?
Before you make the call, though, there are a few issues that should be settled. You should know your budget and the time frame you are willing to work with. Even if you aren’t sure of the particulars, you should know what style or look you would like to see when the landscaping is finished.
If you want to plan a few – or all of – the details, Eric recommends getting ideas from lifestyle magazines as well as garden tours and events. In addition, he says, “Keeping a digital camera handy to record landscape elements as they catch your eye is a great way to get ideas.”
What Should I Expect From My Landscape Contractor?
Once you begin working with your landscaping contractor, a couple of things should happen quickly. Eric makes it a point to personally meet with each of his customers early in the planning stages to ensure that both the customer and contractor are envisioning the same end product. The landscaping contractor that you choose should also make an appointment with you for the purpose of planning your yard; an email or phone call is not normally effective.
Next, you should receive the estimate and you should expect a complete description of materials and price breakdown. Having this information accomplishes two things: you will be able to double check all of the details that you and your contractor had agreed upon and you will be able to make some informed decisions about changing your design plans, if necessary.
Concerning cost estimates, Eric has a particular point he would like to make with our readers. It is very easy to create affordable and attractive landscape by using sturdy, everyday materials. According to Eric, “The act of installing the project is where the quality comes from, not the perception of quality from the materials.” The most helpful contractors will put more emphasis on correctly installing the materials you choose rather than pressuring you to buy trendy or expensive materials.
Perhaps the largest single issue to consider when choosing a landscaping contractor is whether you and he can communicate effectively. If you are clear concerning each other’s priorities and expectations, the result should be an affordable yard that you will enjoy for many seasons to come.
Comments on this entry are closed.