by Katie Mientka
The Fall is a great time to extending your living areas from the inside to the great outdoors. Long gone are the days of a simple concrete patio, a pot of geraniums and petunias and a little charcoal grill in the corner. Today’s homeowners are creating outdoor spaces that include fire and water features, shady retreats and outdoor kitchens. And thus, the need for expert landscape professionals has blossomed. Nonetheless, that may be an entirely new experience for many homeowners. What are five things Indianapolis-area homeowners need to know when hiring a landscaping company?
WHAT DO YOU WANT AND/OR NEED?
Like any big project, do your research, starting with you. Fortunately, there are numerous resources for creating your own “wish book” – Pinterest and Houzz are two great resources. Certainly, another thing to consider is how much will you love working in the yard to maintain the look. In addition, consider your landscape’s tolerance for your lifestyle. And, finally, check with your Homeowners Association as to the process needed for approving home improvement projects as well as municipal entities that issue permits to ensure a smooth approval that won’t be an issue down the road.
MONEY TALKS
You definitely want to set the parameters of a budget and share that with your landscaper so they can create a plan that meets both your needs and budget. Always ask your landscaper how they want to be paid. Along with the anticipated final bill estimate, get the payment expectations in writing as well as receipts of each payment. This protects both you, the homeowner, as well as the landscape professional.
REPUTATION RULES
One of the most important steps in hiring a landscape professional is doing a little digging of your own – into their website, reviews, and references and checking online review services such as Angie’s List, Google Reviews, and social media sites like Facebook. Look for an overall star rating of four or above.
CREDENTIALS & AFFILIATIONS DO MEAN SOMETHING
While actual work performance speaks volumes, don’t discount accreditations, certifications, and affiliations in the landscape industry. Many of these require a substantial commitment of time to successfully complete. A certification program like the one offered from the Office of Indiana State Chemist ensures your landscape professional is up-to-date on pesticide and fertilizer best practices.
IS IT A LOVE CONNECTION?
A client-landscaper connection is imperative to the success of the project – you speak the same language, have the same expectations and respect each other’s input. It is, after all, a relationship between a customer and a trusted contractor. If you’re doing a project, the crew is going to be around for a few days or even several weeks.
When “curb appeal” is the first impression made by your home, it’s important to have an expert well versed in their field to provide services to improve and maintain your landscape. A qualified landscape professional can bring a homeowner’s wish list to fruition so that it will bloom and grow for years to come. Visit greenimagelandscape.com to get started on your next landscaping project.
