Whether you have a new home and you need to install landscaping, or you have existing landscaping that you want to modify or overhaul, it is in your best interest to have a landscaping company involved in part of the process. While it may be tempting to think you can handle this yourself, a quality landscaping job that will stand the test of time requires more than simply plopping some plants in the ground.

Many landscaping companies not only offer installation, but also have landscape designers available to help you develop a landscaping plan for you yard. A landscape design company does more than pick out flowers and plants that will look nice in your yard. They also take into account what zone you are in and which plants work best for the local climate and average rainfall. They will help you choose plants that will work with the amount of shade in each particular bed. They also understand the final size of the plant when it is finished growing so that in the future your landscaping isn’t overcrowded.

When you hire a landscape company to install hardscape items, such as a pavers, a new patio or a retaining wall, that requires excavation of dirt they will either remove the dirt entirely or relocate it to an area within your yard while ensuring that placement will not interfere with proper water flow in your yard. When using a quality landscape company, you won’t end up with low spots where rainwater can collect and cause issues.

Once you have decided to you are ready to hire somebody it is time to start researching landscaping companies. There are a few things you need to consider before you sign a contract with a company.

Have A Plan

The first step in picking a landscape company is to have an idea of what you are looking for. You may need some direction from a landscape designer, but it is good to have a basic plan. Are you willing to keep up with routine maintenance, or hire a company to handle it, or are you more interested in something more self-sustaining that requires little work? Is there are area within your yard that has heavy traffic where a walkway would be beneficial? Think about how you want to use the space, do you need open areas for children to play? You can collect pictures from the internet to show a designer that illustrates the type of design you are interested in.

Gather Recommendations

In today’s world of social media it is easy to get recommendations for landscape companies from friends, family, and acquaintances. This is an excellent way to get an accurate portrayal of how it is to work with that specific company. If you have a neighbor with a design that catches your eye, ask them which landscaping company they used!

Are They Qualified?

In addition to word of mouth recommendations it is important to check the qualifications of a landscape company. You can inquire about their education and experience, certifications and affiliations with professional organizations, check to make sure they are licensed and bonded for the scope of work you need completed, and finally you should verify that they carry liability insurance that would cover at least the cost of your home.

Get Pricing Bids

Even if every other aspect of a landscaping company meets all of your criteria it is important to find out if their price is within your budget. It is a good idea to have multiple companies provide you with a price estimate. Make sure when you are comparing estimates that all of them cover the same design plan with the same type of work done, make sure you are comparing apples to apples! In addition to pricing, don’t forget to ask how long the project is projected to take.

Give Yourself Plenty Of Time

While fall may not seem like the ideal time to start a new landscaping project, it is great to start your research in the fall so that you have plenty of time to research landscape companies. By giving yourself adequate time you can ensure you will not be making a rushed decision. You also have the benefit of potentially being one of their first scheduled projects for the springtime!

Go With Your Gut

When you consider which landscaping company you want to hire you need to not only consider the points listed above but there are also some intangible items. How was their communication? Were they prompt in their responses? If you left and message or an email how long did it take to hear back from them? Did they call or contact you when they said they would? Did you have a company that you simply trusted more? If all other things are pretty equal it may come down to your gut feeling and who you feel better about entrusting your yard with.

Once you have a decided on a landscape company to work with they should be able to give you specific information on a timeline and their procedures so that you know exactly what to expect and when.

As a landscaping design company, Second Nature is ready to work with you on developing new outdoor landscaping ideas. We have worked with a number of clients to develop individualized plans for landscaping. We would love to work with you to update your commercial landscaping, transform your backyard into a serene oasis or an optimal entertaining space, create an inviting entryway, or improve the curb appeal of your home.

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