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16. Hiring Landscaping Professionals
from:If your next home improvement project is to create a new outdoor landscape, you may want to consider going with a professional landscaper. Professional landscapers are able to see a mundane landscape and envision it at its full potential. Landscapers understand that landscaping involves more than just planting things, they are designers. They can do everything from building walkways and water gardens to installing irrigation systems and more. They are the complete package. If you are in the market for a landscaping professional, here are some tips to help you find the professional that will best meet your needs:
Don’t go with the first landscaper you talk to. Interview a few of them. Ask people you know, such as neighbors and friends, if they have any landscaping professional that they’d recommend. If so, add those to your list, too.
When you talk with landscapers they should offer to let you see pictures of their previous work. If they don’t, simply ask to see their portfolios. Being able to see before and after pictures will give you an idea of the artistic minds of the landscapers you are talking with and you will also begin to see what type of landscaping they specialize in, if they have a specialty.
Next, tell the landscaper about you and your family and the wishes you have for your landscape, and then invite the professional to come look at your property.
Once the professional has inspected the area you want landscaped ask if they would provide you with a sketch of their ideas for your property. Some professionals offer this as a free service, others charge a small fee. It’s advised that if a fee is required that you pay it, especially if it is nominal. Seeing what the landscaper has in mind for your property will enable you to know if it meets your needs and if you and the professional have the same ideas about your property.
If you don’t like everything you see in the sketch, ask for revisions. Landscapers are professionals and this is part of the process. Don’t work with any landscapers who are unwilling to make revisions to their original ideas.
Once you find a landscaper you like, you should ask for references—even if you like the landscaper. Being able to talk to people the landscaper has worked with in the past will enable you to find out things such as if the past work that was done was completed on time, if the individual had any problems with the landscaper or his crew, if the work that was completed has withstood the test of time, and so on.
It’s not difficult to find a landscaping professional that will meet your needs and your budget. It may take a bit of time, but it can be done. Taking the extra time to interview prospective landscapers will be well worth it.
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