Landscaping

An attractive yard adds value to a home, and to assist in designing a functional, inviting landscape, many people enlist the services of a professional.

Landscape Architects manage jobs concerning the design and use of outdoor space and land, and they would handle jobs that include extensive hardscaping - for example, installation of large patios & retaining walls.

Landscape Contractors install planting elements of designs conceived by landscape architects, and may be gardeners as well. Contractors install plants ranging from multi-season annual and perennial gardens to all types of shrubs, evergreens, trees, ornamental grasses and groundcovers. They may also install patios, decks, retaining walls, gazebos and irrigation systems. Consider hiring a landscape contractor for residential property with smaller hardscaping jobs.

Before You Call

Before you call any landscape professional, it is a good idea to conceive your own basic design for your yard space. Consider the following questions:

  • What is my budget for the initial installation? For maintenance?
  • How much do I want done professionally, and how much do I plan to do myself?
  • Do I want annuals and/or perennials, trees and/or shrubs planted?
  • Do I want spring cleanup, and if so, what do I expect the job to entail?
  • How do I feel about pesticides?

Once you have a general plan, choose several companies to contact and check with your local BBB for current reliability reports.

Tips for Hiring a Landscape Professional

Make a list of questions to ask, and remember that how the contractor responds may be as valuable as the answers themselves.

  1. Ask how long the company has been in business, what kind of work experience and training the crew has, and if the contractor is willing to stand behind the work and service provided. Question what procedures are in place to handle problems if they should arise.
  2. Ask for copies of licensing, if required, and insurance certificates for workers' compensation and liability. If the company is not properly insured, you could be liable for any accidents that occur on your property.
  3. Ask for references and visit the site of the job to see the finished result. Also visit a job in progress so you can examine the crew's appearance and the quality of workmanship.
  4. Get the contractor's cell phone number and home number in case of an emergency, and beware of contractors who are repeatedly difficult to reach.
  5. Ask if the contractor will enlist licensed electricians and plumbers for jobs such as irrigation pump installation, which may necessitate special hook-ups. Ask if the contractor will hire the subcontractors, and if he or she will be on hand to direct the work.
  6. Ask about the company's experience with and use of pesticides.
  7. Ask how much of a down payment is required. If the requested down payment is more than 50%, you may want to proceed with caution.
  8. Ask the company for a written contract. This contract should include an outline of all the work you want done. For example, you should know when the work should start and end, the total costs, the materials used (including the depth of rock, heights of walls, etc.), and when and what work the company will do if you want them to continue the upkeep. Before signing, read over the contract and make sure any warranties or guarantees are clearly outlined, and that you understand all of the information.
  9. Ask for instructions on how to maintain and care for the landscaping if you wish to do the work yourself. If you have any questions, call the landscaper before you begin. If you fail to maintain the yard and garden work properly, the landscaper may not be able to fix the damage and may not be liable for the damages.

For more information, contact:

Better Business Bureau
(800) 828-5000
www.bbb.org

New York State Consumer Protection Board
(800) 697-1220
www.consumer.state.ny.us

New York State Attorney General
(800) 771-7755
www.oag.state.ny.us

Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA)
(800) 395-2522
www.alca.org

This report is general in nature and is not intended as a reliability report on any company, service or product.