Well designed and installed landscaping adds considerable value to your home (14 – 17 percent), allowing you a return on your investment of 100 to 200 percent. Choosing the right landscaping contractor can determine the success or failure of this important investment. The following guidelines should be used when evaluating choices for your landscape installation.
Determine the scope of the project, and which services you’ll expect from the landscaping contractor – install plant material, build decks and paver patio, install retaining walls, install irrigation systems and landscape lighting are some of the services provided by landscape contractors. You may wish to work on some of these projects yourself – is your contractor agreeable to this?
Thoroughly investigate the company. How long has it been in business? What levels of expertise and education do the employees have? Ask for recent references and check these out – visit the jobs. Many states require licensing, so inquire about this and other types of certification.
Insurance is a big concern. The nature of much of landscaping work requires comprehensive insurance – both liability and worker’s compensation – so ask for proof of insurance. Is the company affiliated with local or national trade organizations? This may indicate a high level of professionalism and quality.
Also ask about guarantees. Will the landscaper or nursery stand behind a guarantee on plant material? What about hardscape items – if the retaining wall caves in, will it be replaced at no cost? How long is the guarantee in place? A recent trend, especially on larger commercial jobs, is to require the landscaping company to maintain the project for the first year. This way, any serious installation mistakes can be dealt with in a timely manner.
Landscaping is a relatively large investment and involves a lot of hard work. If you will be contracting some or all of your landscape installation, take the time to evaluate all the possibilities. If you find someone with excellent references and great looking projects who is passionate about the work, you have a good prospect.
JJW BrickScape is your qualified landscaping contractor for macomb, rochester hills, shelby township, and other cities within macomb and oakland county michigan.
