Landscape Step #2 "Choosing a Contractor"

Now that you have your design tweeked to your liking and you have decided that the design in your hand is what you want your yard to look like, it is time to choose a contractor to transform your vision into reality.  Unless you have gone with an independant architectural firm, most landscape companies will offer design and build services.  Here are a few things to look for in a contractor.

1.  The basics:  references, insurance, experience.  ( I can write several paragraphs on each of these but I think you know what to do here.)

2.  In my opinion, the most important thing in choosing someone to do your work is how comforatable are you with this person.  Keep in mind, you are trusting this individual to construct a very big and important investment on your home.  If you think that you will not work well with that person, you may want to move on to the next choice, no matter how nice the design is.  The reason that I say "person" is that sure, you will choose a landscape company to do this work, but the project manager is the person who is responsible for the finished outcome.  If you are going to get a salesman, who passes it off to the project manager, who passes it off to the foreman, you are really having to deal with too many people.

3.  You need someone with the skills to adapt.  A design on paper can be different once it is transferred over to the jobsite.  Sometimes things just look better when you have the ability to tweek the plan and add/subtract from the plan to make the finished outcome even better.  I have been constructing landscapes for 20 years and can count on one hand where a landscape project came out EXACTLY per plan. The ability to adapt and suggest is very important in a successful outcome.

4.  Experience is Gold!  If you choose someone who has the experience in all apects of this industry and you are comforatable with them, you can't go wrong.  Now of days, we do not just install beds.  We are getting pools, patios, kitchens, fireplaces and so on and so forth.  Hiring someone who is knowledgeable and experienced, not only in landscape, but in construction as well is a must for a project with a significant amount of hardscape.  This is very important as most landscape companies subcontract out a very high percentage of their work.  Knowing how to work with subs and organize these projects will be the difference in obtaining your vision.

I hope that these small tips will help as we have gotten into the beginning of a great growing season.  Feel free to contact me at absoluteoutdoorspaces@gmail.com if you have any further questions. 

Until Next Time,

Jim Shimala
Absolute Outdoor Spaces
http://www.absoluteoutdoorspaces.com/