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Home Renovations    -   Landscapping and Plants

      How to Hire a Landscaper

Professional landscaping can add beauty and value to a home. As any backyard gardener will tell you, shoveling, planting, seeding and watering are no easy tasks. Hiring a landscaper with the necessary expertise can save you time and effort. Large landscaping projects can cost thousands of dollars so it is imperative to take certain precautions in the hiring process.

The first essential step is finding a landscaper whom you can trust and communicate with clearly. Personal recommendations are often the best way to find a good landscaper. If you know of friends and neighbours who have had work done on their property, inquire about the contractor they hired. Ask if the work was done on time and to their satisfaction. A recommendation is better than a random search in the yellow pages. You can also ask at your local nursery or home and garden shop - they often have lists of landscapers they would recommend, depending on the job you have in mind.

Most landscapers have as much interest in fulfilling the requirements of the job as you have in seeing it done properly. What makes accomplishing this difficult is often miscommunication. Large projects can become complex and it is possible for details to be overlooked in the initial meeting. Take your time to study your property and consider the changes you would like. When you meet with the landscaper walk around the property together as you discuss the desired renovations. Some landscapers can use technology to give you a computer-aided preview of the project.

If you find the landscaper hurries through preliminary discussions and does not seem to listen, that contractor is not a good choice. Clear communication from the start is essential to a satisfactory experience.

It is also important for the homeowners to listen to the concerns and ideas presented by the landscaper. Years of experience often allow landscapers to foresee problems that are not apparent to most of us. Every type of plant has its own unique growing season and reaches differing widths and heights. An experienced landscaper can look at a plan and envision garden at maturity.

Never be afraid to say no to any suggestion but do consider the reasoning behind a landscaper's recommendations. If you wish, research a suggestion by calling a nursery or another landscaper. It is always a good idea to interview at least three landscapers.

Ask for references. Good landscapers are proud of their work, and when asked, will gladly show you a portfolio of their work. Check the track record of a landscaper with the Better Business Bureau.

Licenses are another important factor. Ask to see a copy of their pesticides license - misuse can be harmful to you and your family. And don't forget about liability insurance. If an uninsured landscaper is hurt on your property, you may be personally liable for their injury.

If the landscape work involves a number of aspects such as creating a new flower bed, installing an irrigation system and planting a number of shrubs as for a detailed estimate showing the price for each item. You should receive the estimate in writing. Once the estimates have been agreed upon a contract should be drawn up and signed by both parties before any work commences. Don't forget to include in the contract a time frame for completion of the project. If you have certain plants in your garden that should remain in place, be sure to get that in writing.

Lastly and most importantly, don't pay for the entire job until it is completely finished. While a deposit is common practice it should never be the full cost of the project. When interviewing each prospective landscaper ask about their deposit policy and get the information in writing.

By asking the right questions and taking a few precautions a landscaping project can be a straightforward and rewarding experience. A professionally landscape home can be a beautiful complement to your home that will blossom for years to come.

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