Most of my clients find me by word-of-mouth–they saw my work over at their neighbor’s, a nursery manager recommended me, or they saw me in a clip from The Central Texas Gardener–so there’s a kind of built-in trust factor right from the get-go. They know I’m not fly-by-night or unscrupulous; if they have a problem in a year, they can call me and I’ll be over pretty quickly, even two years down the road.
Still, if someone’s going to pay me their hard-earned money, they want to be sure what they’re getting. Here are some simple guidelines to helping you choose a good, reputable landscaper that you’ll be happy with:
- Ask for References: Every landscaper should have a list of references that you can call. When you call, ask about their relationship with the landscaper and how the project turned out. Were they easy to work with? Respectful of your time and money? Dependable? Would you use them again? What type of work did he/she do for you?
- Ask about Licenses and Insurance: Requirements vary from state to state, but you should know the legalities of entering into a business relationship with anyone: Do you have insurance? Do your subcontractors have insurance? What kind of license or accreditation do you have? What’s your training? How long have you been doing this work? Ask to see a copy of their insurance, and don’t feel badly for doing it.
- Ask to see a Portfolio: Pictures, especially before and after shots, are invaluable. This can demonstrate the landscaper’s range of style, or nail them for being a one-trick pony! If you wanted your landscape to look like everyone else’s, you’d have probably done it yourself by now. No offense.
- Ask about the Process: How many design revision meetings do I get? How long will the process take? If I change my mind on an aspect of the project, how is that handled? Who will be on site to do the work? Who is my contact person?
- Know your Pros: Is this person a landscape architect (LA), a landscape designer (LD), or a professional gardener? Big, big difference. LA’s have a degree in landscape architecture, are certified/accredited by the state and are adept at planning out structures as well as planted areas. They’re also a lot more expensive. LD’s (that’s what I am) may or may not have formal training, probably work with more subcontractors and are not under state requirements in many cases. And lastly, professional gardeners can be great if what you need is some beds planted. Each professional has their place–just don’t hire a pro gardener to plan out your pool and outdoor kitchen, or spend money for an LA to tell you what perennials do well on the north side of your house.
- Trust your Instincts: Finally, all of the above could be perfectly lined up, but if you don’t get a good sense of the person you’re dealing with, perhaps they’re not the right landscaper for you. Sometimes people just don’t “click” (remember that blind date in college that your roommate set you up with? ‘Nuff said.), and it’s no one’s fault. Know that the landscaper is interviewing you as well,and if either of you decided the fit isn’t right, it’s okay–move on.
There you have it–it’s not fool-proof because nothing is in this life. But it’s a good start to finding the landscape professional that is right for you. Plus, if you don’t do your homework, you could end with this crew at your place:
Randy Scouts
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Great article. I wish more people would do their research before hiring professionals. At the nursery I hear many horror stories from people who hired a “mow & blow” company do install a landscape. In most cases, you really do get what you pay for. If they only averaged that cost over time and figured in the amount they would have to correct later, hiring a professional at the beginning would make much more sense.
Plus I’m amazed at how many people won’t fire a designer even though their project is headed in a direction they don’t like. I just want to shake them and scream, “but you are paying for this service.” Good landscaping gives you a yard that you enjoy and can maintain.
Agreed! I have been hired many times to correct a “design” that someone else did, or to “redesign” something that wasn’t what the clients wanted. Just last week, a new client said, “We went through two other landscapers who we let go because they wouldn’t stick to our ‘minimalist’ needs or who refused to put in an herb garden.” I don’t get it!