What to Expect When You Hire a Professional Landscaper?

When you hire a good professional landscaping company, it should be a smooth process with the company guiding you through each step clearly. So, in theory, you should have nothing to worry about as long as you’re getting a reputable company to do the job. Nevertheless, there are many, like me, who like to know what they’re getting themselves into and be prepared for each step. So, we interviewed Todd Hendricks from Louisville Landscape Pros to find out what exactly happens when you hire a professional landscaper.

Reasons to Hire a Professional Landscaper

Read on to learn what happens when you embark on a project with a landscaping company and what to expect at each step of the process.

01. The Initial Assessment

Initial Assessment of Landscape Project

Whenever you get on a call with a landscaping company to discuss the details of your job, no matter how vividly and accurately you can describe the project details, the majority of the time, most landscapers won’t agree to do the job outright.

They may give you a quote or estimate over the phone, but that’s usually just that–an estimate.

It may or may not be the actual price of the project, as to know that, landscapers will ask to check out your property first to see the size and complexity of the project they’re undertaking.

After they’ve had a look at the project, only then will they tell you whether they’re willing to undertake the project and how much it’s going to cost you.

This first assessment is usually free though, so you don’t have to worry about having to pay just to have someone see whether they want to take the job.

While it may seem a little unfair to the landscaper in the event that he or she has travelled to your home and didn’t end up taking the job, but still had to bear the transport costs, it can’t be helped.

And if they’re visiting your home, given that they’ve already heard your project details over the phone, it probably means they believe they’ll be able to handle it. So, chances are, they’ll be able to take the job, and you’re going to end up working with them.

As such, while there may be a few wasted trips here and there, the transport costs are usually worth it as they’ll end up getting a new client.

02. Design and Planning

Design and Planning of Landscape

Depending on the project, there may or may not need to be design and planning. If you’re hiring someone to do landscape maintenance, fix a broken irrigation system, or just install artificial grass, there usually won’t be a need for design and planning.

Also Read: How to Care and Landscape for a Large Yard?

However, for more complex projects like water features installation, patio installation, creating a garden, and so on, the landscaping company should and usually will create a plan or design and submit it for your approval first.

Depending on the project being undertaken, the landscaper might even submit a few broad ideas or design concepts for you to choose from before going ahead to create a proper plan.

Of course, if you have any plans or ideas on how it should go, let him or her know and the landscaper will take that into account.

Good landscaping companies will work closely with you to create a design that you’re happy with, and will check in with you for each part of the design to ensure the final product is something you’ll love.

Some homeowners may leave it entirely up to the landscaper’s discretion, but even then, the landscaper will check in with you beforehand just to keep you in the loop.

03. The Proposal

Proposal of Landscape Project

Once you’re happy with the general plan or design, here’s where the landscaper then comes up with a detailed plan about the materials to be used, the timeline of the project, the projected costs, payment terms, and so on.

Again, if you have any preferences like the materials you want to use or if you want to prioritize eco-friendly materials, do let the landscaper know beforehand so that he or she can factor them into the plan.

At this stage, the landscaper will usually also work with you to choose the materials, and will explain the costs and the pros and cons of each one to help you make a decision.

Then, once again, the proposal will be submitted for you to review. You can then clarify any areas of uncertainty and request any changes.

Once this proposal is finalized, the project can then commence.

It’s important to note that changes halfway through a project can be very disruptive, as the landscaper may have already purchased the materials or he or she might have to undo previously done work to accommodate your changes. These will all add up to lots of extra costs and wasted effort.

As such, make doubly sure you review the proposal closely and are satisfied with everything before agreeing to it.

To finalize the proposal, you will be signing a contract that will serve to both bind and protect you and the landscaper. This contract will detail important information such as the payment terms, any warranties or guarantees, the scope of the project, the timeline, and so on.

04. Project Commences

After everything has been agreed upon and the plan and proposal have all been finalized, the landscaping company can begin the project.

Depending on the project, there may be a preparation phase where the project area will be cleared of any obstacles and then prepped if necessary.

Once all the preparations have been made, the materials delivered, and the necessary equipment transported, the landscaper can then begin executing the project.

Even at this point, the landscaper should still continue to remain in contact, keeping you updated on the progress and any hiccups.

05. Project Completion

Once the project is completed, the landscaping company will go through the completed project with you and allow you to inspect everything.

Assuming the landscaper has done a good job, everything should check out. Otherwise, if there are any areas that are below par, don’t be shy about sounding them out, because once you give the green light for completion, any additional changes will amount to extra costs.

Once any necessary touch-ups or fixes have been made, then it’s time for you to sign off on completion and officially conclude the project.

Note that the landscaping company should also have cleaned up. A landscaping project doesn’t entail just the landscaping, but includes the cleanup too. Same as with a painting project or a construction project, you don’t see companies leaving you a dusty home with debris everywhere, right?

After the completion, it’s not strictly required, but most landscapers will also share any important tips for their completed work, such as maintenance tips, what to pay attention to, and so on.

Conclusion

And that’s it. A landscaping project really isn’t too complicated, and a good company will bring you through everything smoothly and seamlessly.

Even so, it’s good to know how a landscaping project should progress, so that you can make sure the professional you hire doesn’t skip any steps. And now you do.

So, you can confidently go out and hire a professional landscaper, armed with the knowledge to keep the landscaper honest in case he or she tries anything funny.

All the best!

Also Read: Landscape Architecture | Creating A Blissful Outdoor Spaces!

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