For many people, gardening is a fun hobby that enables them to get outdoors and do something proactive. However, while general garden maintenance is fun, landscaping is a different ball game because it requires a lot of technical knowledge.
If you’re planning on redesigning your outdoor space, a landscape gardener can make the entire process more manageable – but how do you choose the best service for your needs?
There’s plenty to consider, and not all landscapers are created equal, so you need to make sure you ask the right questions and do your research.
This blog post will reveal the most important things you need to know before hiring a landscape gardener.
Does The Company Have A Website?
In the modern world, it’s hard to imagine any business not having an online presence. A website is the best way for companies to showcase their work and give potential customers an idea of their capabilities.
When looking for a landscape gardener, check out their website first. It should be professional-looking and easy to navigate, with plenty of examples of previous work on display.
If a company doesn’t have a website, that’s a red flag. But even with a website, there should be a portfolio to showcase previous projects, and the entire design should be professional.
After all, how can you trust a landscape company to do a good job if they’re not even willing to invest in their online presence?
Do They Have Enough Experience?
As with any service, you want to ensure the company you’re hiring has plenty of experience. Landscaping is a complex process that takes time to master, so you don’t want to entrust your outdoor space to someone who’s still learning the ropes.
In general, it’s best to choose a company that has been in business for at least five years and can provide examples of the work they completed within this time.
Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule – sometimes younger companies can be just as good as their more experienced counterparts. It’s all about researching and ensuring you’re comfortable with the team you’re hiring.
When it comes to proving their experience in garden design, London companies should be happy to discuss their previous projects and show samples – so if they try to avoid the questions, it’s best to look elsewhere.
Check Out Their Reviews
As we mentioned before, landscaping is a complex process, so you want to be sure you’re hiring a company that knows what they’re doing. One of the best ways to gauge this is by checking their reviews online.
When looking at reviews, please pay attention to quantity and quality. A company with lots of positive reviews is always a good sign, but take the time to read them in detail.
What do previous customers have to say about the company’s work? Are they happy with the results? Would they recommend the service to others?
If you can’t find any reviews online, don’t be afraid to ask the company for references – reputable companies usually have no problem providing these.
While many websites have reviews, if you can look at a third-party site such as Google Business or TrustPilot, you can be sure that you can trust the testimonials.
Create A Brief
When hiring a landscape gardener, you must have a clear idea of what you want before starting the process. After all, how can you expect them to create your dream outdoor space if they don’t know what that is?
To ensure everyone’s on the same page, it’s best to create a brief. It doesn’t have to be too formal – because your landscaper can take your initial ideas and turn them into proper plans.
The more specific you can be, the better – but don’t worry if you’re unsure about every last detail. Landscape gardeners have plenty of experience and ideas to share, so they can help fill in the gaps.
Another benefit of doing this is you can see if the company can interpret your plans which is beneficial if you want to evaluate their expertise.
Ask For A Quote Before Hiring Them
When finding a landscape gardener, one of the most important things to do is get an idea of how much their services will cost. After all, you don’t want to be caught off-guard by an unexpectedly high bill during the project!
Most companies will be happy to provide a quote before starting work, so be sure to ask for one. Once you have a few quotes, you can compare them and choose the company that offers the best value for money.
Of course, price isn’t everything – but it’s best to choose the one you’re comfortable with before hiring anyone.
Do They Have Insurance?
Landscape gardeners should always have the right insurance in place, as it protects both parties should any damages occur during the project.
It’s always a good idea to choose a company with public liability and professional indemnity insurance – that way, you know you’ll be covered no matter what happens.
If a company doesn’t have insurance, it’s best to look elsewhere – otherwise, you could be left footing the bill if something goes wrong.
Get A Proper Timeline
When you’re having work done on your property, it’s crucial to have a clear timeline in place so you know when the project will be finished. Smaller projects are usually easier to estimate, but larger projects can drag on for months.
Before hiring a landscape gardener, ask them how long they think the project will take. They should be able to give you a reasonably accurate estimate – and if they can’t, it might be best to look elsewhere.
It’s also worth asking about their availability – some companies might not be able to start work for several weeks or even months, so try to find a timeline that works with yours.
The Bottom Line
Now you know what to look for when hiring a landscape gardener, you should be able to make the right decision that suits your landscaping needs.
Remember, it’s easy sometimes to rush the process because you want an outdoor area you can enjoy, but taking your time means your garden will last longer and look incredible.