Choosing a Landscape Contractor

One of the best ways to get a gorgeous yard is to actually hire a professional to get you off on the right foot. A landscape contractor is a person who can help you get the most out of your yard. If you would like to realize the full potential of your yard, but don't have the time to do all the work yourself, then go with a professional. The trick is to hire the best possible person that you can. Here are a few guidelines that are designed to help you choose the best contractor for your job.

• Choose a specialty. Every landscape contractor has something that they are proficient in doing. This is called their specialty. What this means is that you will need to decide on what style of landscape you will want, and then go with the contractor that specializes in that. For example, if you are wanting a xeriscaped yard, chances are you would not want to go with a contractor who specializes in water gardens.
• Get recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors for any recommendations that they may have for a landscape contractor. Believe it or not, you can get some of the best recommendations from the people that you know and trust. Another great place to go for recommendations would be your local nursery. Make a list of all the recommendations that you receive.
• Call around. After having received a few recommendations, try making a few calls. Open your phone book, and call a few of the landscape contractors listed there, as well as any professional associations that may be listed. Ask to set up a meeting with them so that can talk with them about your ideas, and their experience.
• Interview. When you have your meeting with potential landscape contractors, remember that you are interviewing them. This means that you should ask them questions, and try to get a feel for how they work. Ask to see examples of their previous jobs, ask them for any references, and be sure that you ask how long it will take them to get the job completed. One of the very last questions that you should ask is how much it will cost. Keep in mind the old adage that the first person who mentions money, is usually the loser.
• Compare. Once you have finished your interviews, it is time to compare. This means that you should go over your interview notes, and any literature that they brought with them. Make your decision based off of not only how much someone is going to charge, but their work experience, the quality of their work, and whether you will be able to get along with the landscape contractor at all.