TIPS FOR HIRING A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR
Do you have a backyard project that needs a professional landscaper? Are you intimidated about how to go about hiring a landscape contractor? Worry no more. We’ve come up with some basic guidelines to help you find the perfect landscaper for the job!
Tip #1 – Think beyond the search engine
The first place people go to find a landscaper is often Google. Search engines like Google, Yahoo or Bing are great starting points to gather a few names of local contractors, but don’t stop there. Be sure to ask friends, co-workers and neighbors for recommendations. EAQ (formerly E.A. Quinn) gets a large percentage of its business from referrals, as our happy customers pass our name on to friends and relatives.
You can also look for who’s doing work in your neighborhood. See what trucks are parked at your neighbor’s and look for lawn signs. You can get a sense of what business’s are doing the best yard work simply by driving around and taking notes.
Tip #2 – Have a list of questions prepared
Gather a list of questions to ask each landscaper that you contact. Note their answers and start the contractors who provided the best answers. This will help you identify the best vendor beyond a simple price comparison, which isn’t always apples to apples. We’ve compiled a list of common questions that we think all landscaping customers should ask potential contractors:
- Does the contractor’s previous work match your taste?
- How many years have they been in business?
- Can you get pictures or addresses of his previous work so you can visit?
- Can the contractor show his certificates?
- What is his process from the beginning to the end of the project?
- What are the payment terms?
- What date can the contractor start the job and when will it be finished?
- Who will be foreman and what is his experience/background?
Tip #3 – Compare contractor estimates on key points
Once you have an estimate from two or three contractors, the time to compare each on key points. We’ve highlighted a few you might consider below:
- Previous work
- Begin and end date
- Payment terms (if attached to deliverables)
- Deposit: the initial deposit should not be superior to 20%
- Overall craftsmanship
- Communication
- Responsiveness/reliability
- Education (certificates)
Tip #4 – Don’t forget references
Even if a contractor was referred by a friend, ask the landscaper to provide two or three additional references. Don’t be afraid to call the references. People are very willing to describe their experiences with a landscaper and checking references is an easy way to verify that a landscaper has the experience he/she claims to have.
Tip #5 – Check social media
Most established businesses today have a presence on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. These sites, along with the company’s website, are a great way to see examples of the landscaper’s work as well as how they interact with customers.
