What to look for in a landscape contractor

There are two main phases that make up a landscaping project: design and construction.

The landscape design services is done by the landscape designer or architect, and consists of researching, brainstorming, and sketching out a design that best visualises what the client wants on their landscape.

On the other hand, a landscape contractor is the person who does the actual building of a landscape based on the designer’s planning.

Sometimes, the landscape designer will use a contractor that they have worked with on previous projects to do the construction work. Alternatively, you as a client can also choose to hire your own landscape contractor so that you are able to make a proper evaluation before they begin working on your project.

There are a few key things that you, as a client should look out for when looking to hire a landscape contractor:

Experience
Experience matters, as landscaping requires more than just building. An experienced landscape contractor will be able to work well regardless of the scale of the project, and should be able to adapt if there are changes that are made during the construction process. If you want to know how experienced your landscape contractor is, ask to see a portfolio of their work and references from previous clients.

Insurance
It is very important that your landscape contractor and their workers have worker’s compensation and liability insurance coverage.

Communication
Communication between client and contractor is key. A good contractor is one who is constantly asking questions and keeping their client in the loop throughout the construction project, walking them through the process and providing their expert feedback to clients’ questions.

Maintenance
Once your landscape has been completed, your contractor should provide good quality maintenance services. Some of these services include pruning, weeding, fertilising, and mowing. Ask your contractor if they provide landscape maintenance on a regular basis.

It is recommended to actually meet up with a few of your potential contractors rather than just choosing based on research. This way you will be able to get a better idea of who they are and whether or not they are capable of fulfilling the role.