5 Things to Look for in a Landscaping Company

The simple act of walking into a well-designed yard is like a breath of fresh air, enhanced by a harmonious balance of functionality and aesthetic beauty. However, planning a landscaping project to get you from point A to point B can feel overwhelming, so it’s essential to take it one step at a time. The initial and most important step is to choose the right landscaping company.

It may be tempting to offer the job to your first friend or family member who offers to help out for a discount, but taking the time to find landscaping professionals who meet your needs and budget is well worth the investment. Read on for five important things to look for when choosing a landscaping company.

Good Reputation

Ask around to see if someone you know has worked with a local landscaping company; this way, you can narrow your choices down to vetted professionals. Ask about the quality of their work, professionalism, timeliness, cleanliness, and anything else that you consider to be a priority.

Once you have identified a company worthy of consideration, ask for references and to see a portfolio of past work. It’s also helpful to look at online reviews. If you come across a negative review, do some digging to see what happened and how the professionals in question handled the experience.

Clarity & Transparency

When you hire a landscaping company to work on your yard, you’ll want the peace of mind of knowing exactly what to expect. Talk to the professional to clarify the costs and duties involved in the project.

Some questions to ask include:

• What is included in the landscaping service?
• Do you provide full-service work, or do you subcontract?
• What is the cost breakdown for the service provided?

You’ll want someone who understands your goals and is honest with you about any limitations involved in the project. For example, if your end goal is simply not in line with your budget, you would want to know sooner rather than later.

Credibility

Along with positive reviews and referrals, it’s important to make sure the landscaping company you hire is knowledgeable about your yard’s unique needs. They may know how to create the right balance of hardscape and softscape materials, but do they also know when and which plants to shear and prune, how to treat lawn disease, or how to control pests? You don’t want to risk ruining your yard simply because you went with the cheaper option.

Additionally, ask or review the website to find out about your landscaper’s qualifications, along with any industry affiliations.

Equipment, Insurance, and Licensure

A reputable landscaping company should already own the necessary equipment to complete the assigned task(s). If a company owns high-quality equipment, it speaks to their efficiency and expertise.

You’ll also want to check that the company you hire has the proper insurance. In fact, if they don’t have worker’s compensation insurance, you could be liable for any injuries that occur on your property. Check to see that they hold the necessary licensure, too.

Garrett Churchill maintains the following:

• Licensed Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor PA001579
• Nursery Dealer Certificate
• General Liability Insurance
• Pesticide Application Insurance
• Worker’s Compensation Insurance
• PA Nursery Dealers Certificate to Purchase and Resell Plant Material

Personality Traits

Of course, you’ll want to make sure the landscaping professionals you hire to work on your home or business are agreeable and trustworthy. Throughout the process, they should maintain good communication, patience, and creativity while working with you and your ideas.

Ideally, you would have one dependable contact person throughout the process who is familiar with your project.

Learn more about creative landscaping solutions with curb appeal. Contact us for a quote and on-site consultation today.