Hiring a landscape designer can be tedious. You want your yard to look the best it can, which means finding the right people for the job!
But how do you know that the people you’re hiring are best for you? When it comes to hiring anyone to work on your house, there are several questions you’ll want to ask to get a feel for them and their business.
If you’ve been looking into hiring a landscape designer but are not sure which one to go with, here are 11 questions you should ask before hiring someone.
What Services Do You Offer?
The first thing you should identify when choosing a landscape designer is what services they offer. Do they complete all of the hardscaping and planting? Will they be able to set up a pergola? Are they qualified to install a fountain, or will they have to sub-contract? Ensure that they design and install so that your vision for your lawn translates perfectly.
Asking what the specific scope of their service is is critical to know if you need to hire additional contractors or save time and hire a different designer altogether.
For those who want to find their landscape designer and installation in the same place, visit https://www.franzwitte.com/landscape-design to get more information!
How Long Have You Been Doing This Work?
Experience should be a requirement for any home contractor. You want your lawn in the best hands, and the way to be sure of that is by hiring someone with years of experience in their field.
Ask your potential landscape designer if they have experience completing the work you want or something like it. If your project requires complex design elements or is in for a total transformation, you’ll need to double-check your landscape designer is capable of producing the work.
Do You Have Insurance? What Does It Cover?
Most home improvement and contracting jobs are dangerous in some capacity or another. Landscaping is no different. Ask if your landscapers have insurance so that if anything ever happens to someone on your property or your home, you know they’re covered.
Who Will Be Conducting the Work on My Lawn?
Many landscapers hire subcontractors and independent workers to assist in the labor of completed a landscape design. Ask upfront who will be working on your yard and how many people you can expect.
Where Will You Have Access?
It’s essential to draw boundaries and confirm with the landscapers where they will be completing the work and how that will affect your ability to move around your home.
Keep an open and friendly line of communication with your landscape designer, so if any issues arise, you’ll have no problem speaking with them.
Do You Have Client References?
Client references are essential for any reputable home contractor. If they can’t provide you with positive reviews, client references, or testimonials, it’s usually a bad sign. Look especially closely at the projects most similar to yours so that you can identify similarities.
How Long Will the Work Take?
Having an estimated timeline for the completion of the project is important not only to hold the landscape designer accountable but also to make your plans. As previously mentioned, keep an open line of communication with the project manager so that you’re aware of progress and any potential hold-ups.
What Will a Day of Work Look Like?
It would be best to have a generalized idea about when to expect your landscape designers to be working.
What time will they get there? What time will they leave? If you work from home will the noise be an issue for you?
Asking questions about expectations from the beginning alleviates chances of miscommunication and stress on you and the landscape designer.
Do We Need a Permit? If So, Who Obtains It?
Some projects require city permits to move forward. While many home contractors get these for you, you want to be clear about expectations ahead of time, so a lack of a permit doesn’t stall your project.
Suppose your designer will not be obtaining the permit for you and you’re not familiar with how to get one. In that case, you may be better off finding a landscape designer who takes responsibility for that part of the process.
What Is the Estimated Cost and What Does It Include?
Before you begin any big home project, you and your contractor should be on the same page about pricing. If you have a strict budget, make sure they are made aware of that from the get-go. Can they complete everything you are asking for within your account? If not, what does it include?
You should also clarify if you are okay with them completing any work outside of their initial estimate. Say your ground is more uneven than they anticipated, and it will take them a couple more days to complete. Are you okay with spending more money than you initially agreed to?
Where Do You Source Your Plants From? How Do I Take Care of Them?
Native plants are hands down cheaper than plants imported from other countries or regions. They also usually thrive better in your environment. Knowing where your plants are sourced from can save you money and time, especially if they have to be shipped to your landscape designer. You also shouldn’t be afraid to ask if the plants will be sustainably sourced.
If your plants die after a landscaping designer has completed their job, will they replace them? Or are you responsible for those plants now? Ask about the type of plants they intend to use and the typical upkeep. If you know you don’t have a green thumb, make it known to your landscape designer that you need something easy to take care of.
Hiring the Right Landscape Designer
Hiring a professional landscape designer can take time. You want to find someone that has the best interests of your lawn in mind. Take the time to ask the right questions, and you’ll find them in no time!
For more home blogs, tips, and tricks, check out some of our other articles like these!