There’s very little more idyllic and calming than relaxing in a well-landscaped garden. Not everyone is great at culturing and crafting a beautiful outdoor space, though. It can be time-consuming and expensive, and sometimes downright demoralizing if you don’t have the know-how.
That’s where getting a good landscape gardening company comes in. But it’s a competitive market, so how should you choose which company to go with?
Budget
The practical stuff should come first, and you need to decide on how much you want to spend early on in the game. Spend some time gathering quotes from different landscapers to get a good idea of what is realistic for your money. Beware of the super undercut quote – sometimes this might work out more expensive in the long run!
Communication
In gathering your quotes, you may have picked up how well your landscaping company communicates. Did they respond quickly to your request? Do they have a usable phone number? These things will only get more important as your project continues. You’ll need to have a great dialogue with your landscape company before, during, and even after your project. You never know what a difference the changing seasons may bring to your design, and you’ll want to get hold of them if there’s any issues with space after they’ve downed tools.
Portfolio
Landscapers are often keen to show off their most successful projects. Many will keep a gallery of pictures or video on their websites so you can take a look at what they can do. If you’re seriously considering one particular company, see if you can find local examples of their work that you can look at. If you can get some feedback from their clients, either in person or through online forums, that will give you an even broader view.
Design
Your landscaper should be able to guide you towards what’s realistic and achievable in your outdoor space. They should understand what your budget can cover, and what your local environment and climate can achieve. This last point is important in your design brief. Landscapers in Tampa, Florida are going to employ different techniques from landscapers in Henderson, Nevada, based on the climate. If you find a landscaper isn’t taking these things into consideration, you might be wise to look elsewhere.
Time
Again, you will need to have an open discussion with the landscaper about how long it is going to take to complete the project, given your design. If it’s for a specific event or a key date in your calendar, you should give them that date and ask for an honest opinion about whether it’s achievable in the given time-frame.
Some work can only take place in good weather, and if you are asking for flower beds to be planted, you can’t expect them to bloom in winter. Your landscaper should have enough experience to tell you what can be achieved in different seasons.
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