5 Tips for Choosing the Right Landscaping Company
By Richie Chung
An exceptionally crafted yard can completely transform your outdoor living spaces into something magical. It can also have a significant effect on the value of your property. So then, it sounds like a no-brainer to get your landscapes upgraded this spring or summer --- but how exactly are you supposed to find the right landscaping company for the job?
Finding the right landscaper, one who is trustworthy, does a quality job and adheres to a strict timeline and budget, can be difficult in today’s digital world. But do not worry, as we will share with you steps to take that will aid you in choosing the right landscaping company for your next up-and-coming project.
#1 – Check Online Reviews
First and foremost, find a landscaping company that has good online reviews.
It is important that the organization you choose has exceptional Google, Facebook and other testimonials from people who have used their services.
Don’t be afraid to dig deep into all available reviews for the landscaping company you are looking into for your project. If any reviews found are a significant concern, don’t hesitate to ask the landscaping company about that particular client and what went wrong --- there are two sides to every story!
But overall, the landscaper should have an excellent online review rating.
#2 – Check Better Business Bureau (BBB) Ratings
If a landscaping company is or is not registered with the BBB, they can still receive complaints from past clients. The BBB is typically how most unsatisfied customers will elevate their complaint to make it more serious, as these files need official action from the landscaper to rectify.
Don’t get us wrong, one bad BBB review might just be a one-off thing, but if a landscaper has multiple complaints, it should raise red flags.
Once again, don’t be afraid to ask a landscaping company about what happened with any particular BBB complaints you may see. You can tell a lot about a business and how it’s run by the quality of response you receive. For example, was the operator professional, or did they blame the past client?
#3 – Know What You’re Looking For
Some landscaping companies specialize in one or a few aspects of the business. For example, many companies strictly do residential projects, while others take on only commercial projects.
Whichever the case, you need to know exactly what your landscaping company of choice specializes in, and what capabilities they have concerning labour force, tools, and overall skills to get the job done.
A good start is to put all your requests down on paper with as much detail as possible and provide the list to the landscaping company and see what they say.
#4 – Don’t Be Afraid to Interview Contractors
Narrowing down your choices of landscaping contractors can be aided by asking interview-like questions. Whether over email, on the phone or in person is up to you, but we recommend doing it “live,” a.k.a. the last two options listed, to get an impromptu and honest feel about the company.
A few questions to ask include:
• How long have you been doing landscaping for?
• Are you fully licensed and insured as per required under the laws of the land?
• Will you share some references to past projects that are similar to mine?
• Is the work performed in-house, or do you hire subcontractors for the job?
• Who is responsible for pulling permits for the job – if any?
• Can you provide a list of past completed projects that I can drive by and look at?
• Do you provide a drawing of the landscaping plans and is it included in the cost of the project?
• Do you offer a warranty for quality of work and/or landscaping supplies?
• What does your payment schedule look like?
#5 – Shop for a Good Price
Surely, you’ve heard the saying, “you get what you pay for.” In landscaping, this applies across the board, as you’ll find companies with unheard-of prices that do not perform the jobs they have been contracted for to a professional level.
Say you get five different quotes from different landscaping companies, and one of them is quite low; you’ll want to consider why that is. Ask questions about the details, such as what is included in the price with respect to the job you want done, what materials will be used, and so on and so forth.
In general, it’s best to find a landscaper with good reviews on their pricing and a high review rating from past clients. This ensures they operate with honesty, integrity, and the intention to do your job to the best of their ability.
Contact Us Today
Want to know what Calgary Dreamscapes has to offer for your next landscaping project? Contact us today anytime at 403-471-7588 and we will be happy to chat about your landscaping goals!