It is so important to feel 100% certain that you have chosen the right company for your new landscaping project – especially with all the time, money, and research that you are putting into it. Asking the right questions will weed out the companies that won’t be a good fit for you and your project. Avoid confusion and future problems by asking these 5 questions.
1. Are you insured?
An insured landscaping company means that they take important steps to be as safe and prepared as possible. High-quality companies will have both Workers Compensation Insurance and Business Liability Insurance. If an uninsured company accidentally causes damage to your property, you might be held responsible for the cost. Additionally, if a crew member gets injured on the job while working on your landscaping project, you might be held responsible for this as well. An insured landscaping company will keep you protected.
2. Have you done this type of project before?
It might ease your mind to know that the company you hire has completed the same type of project a hundred times before! If they answer yes to this question, you have the opportunity to ask to look at pictures of these completed projects. This will give you a sneak peek to see how your own landscaping project will turn out and it might even spark some creativity and offer new ideas for your own project!
However, if the company answers no, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be a deal-breaker. Don’t be afraid to follow your gut feeling. If they haven’t done a project like yours before, it might just be because your project is really unique! If you trust that this company knows what they are doing, don’t let the answer to this question deter you from following your gut.
3. How do changes work?
No matter how hard you try to get it right the first time, project changes can happen. Sometimes these changes happen during the design process and other times they happen while the crew has already begun the installation. It’s important to know how project changes work before signing a contract with a landscaping company. Do they allow you to make as many changes as possible during the design process? Do they limit you to only a few? What happens if you change your mind on something as their installation crew is digging in your backyard? Know the answers to these questions before signing on the dotted line.
4. How long do you expect my project to take?
Landscaping projects will disrupt the ebb and flow of normal life, especially if it is in your own backyard. It’s important to know how long you will have to deal with the installation disruption so that you can plan accordingly. This is especially important if you own pets! Any animal can get stressed out with new people showing up to their home and making loud noises every day. Knowing how long you will have to accommodate your furry family members is an important part of your decisions.
5. How will the payment schedule work? Is financing available?
All property owners know to ask about the overall project quote, but most forget to ask about how the payment schedule works and if any financing is available. Companies that accommodate you and have easy payment schedules will usually provide a great overall experience.
