Expert Advice On How To Hire A Top-Notch Landscape Company
It is exciting to envision a landscape project and then start the process of interviewing a potential landscape company to make it come to life. Whether you are re-doing the front foundation of your home or building a new outdoor living space in our backyard, it is a big undertaking. Figuring out how to select the right and responsible landscape contractor to work with can be a daunting task as well. Here are some good guidelines to consider before a shovel ever goes into the ground.
Are You Licensed?
In Maryland, any contractor making an improvement to a home or property must have a Maryland Home Improvement License. In order to gain this license, one must take a test proving a level of knowledge and prove that they are insured. It is designed to protect homeowners from unscrupulous contractors.
Additionally, anyone who applies pesticides and/or fertilizer to your lawn and landscape must have an Applicator’s License. This is for a very good reason. Pesticides can be dangerous to humans, pets and the environment if not applied correctly. Is it really worth the risk to have an unlicensed landscape contractor applying pesticides around your home?
Who Works For You?
An important thing to keep in mind is that any landscape company that you hire is going to have employees working around your home. How well are they screened and how well does your landscape contractor know them? Do they hire day labor that they do not know at all or are they long time and trusted employees?
How Do You Train Your Staff?
It should be of great concern to make sure that the landscape company’s team members are properly trained to perform the work you are hiring them to do or the results could be disastrous. There have been too many cases of landscape contractors doing irreparable damage to homes. Make sure that the landscape company you hire trains their staff properly.
Do You Have Liability and Worker’s Compensation Insurance?
Here is a scary thought: Did you know that if a landscape company does not have Worker’s Compensation Insurance and an employee (even the owner) gets hurt on your property, you could be held liable? It is the law that companies must carry Worker’s Compensation Insurance in Maryland, and for good reason. What about property damage? Is a company that is losing money really going to take responsibility for damage to your property?
How Long Have You Been In Business?
Experience matters. A new landscape company may not have the experience to handle all facets of a job or solve a problem when one arises. An experienced landscape company has institutional knowledge and knows how to get the job done and what to do if things do go wrong. Find out how long they have been in business and what experience they actually have.
How Many Employees Does Your Company Employ?
Having enough resources and team members with the right skill sets to execute your landscape project is important. Jobs flow should be smooth and continuous. If a landscape contractor does not have enough team members or the wrong team members, your landscape project could drag on for a long time or simply run into many problems. Find out if the landscape company has enough staff to get the job done in a timely manner.
What Is Your Guarantee?
A landscape company that is in it for the long haul and does things the right way is going to be proud to stand behind their work. Most landscape companies guarantee their plants for a minimum of two years and their hardscape work for at least five years. If the landscape company you are considering does not have guarantees like this, be concerned. One more tip, the guarantee should be in writing.
Can You Provide Me With Some References?
A landscape company that has done good work and delighted its customers will be proud to provide references. Talk to their customers. Find out how the job went and how the experience of working with the landscape company was. If, on the other hand, the landscape company hedges in giving you references, be very wary.
At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we are very proud to lead the way as Landscape Professionals. If we are the kind of company that you want to work with, please give us a call or email us.. We would love to discuss the care of your landscape with you.
Remember, Allentuck Landscaping Co. is always here to help you design, install, construct and maintain you lawn and landscape. Give us a call!
Allentuck Landscaping Co. is Your Residential Landscape Company
Phone: 301-515-1900 Email: info@allentucklandscaping.com
At Allentuck Landscaping Co., our mission is to create beautiful environments for people to enjoy. We see landscaping as a way to improve people’s lives.
The Allentuck Landscaping Co. team has been delighting homeowners in Maryland, Washington DC and Northern Virginia for over 28 years with our turnkey approach to landscape design, installation, construction and maintenance. Most companies try to serve many types of customers at the same time; homeowners, shopping centers, office buildings and the list goes on. At Allentuck Landscaping Co., we focus on one customer, you, the homeowner. We have a singular focus on bringing you the best landscape practices, the best customer service, and the best value for your home.
Services Provide – Master Landscape Plans, Complete Maintenance Programs, Plantings, Patios, Walkways, Retaining Walls, Water Features, Outdoor Lighting, Outdoor Kitchens, Trellises & Pergolas, Irrigation Systems, Drainage Solutions, Grading & Sodding. Fire Pits & Fire Places, Spring Clean Ups, Decks, Fences
Areas Served – Chevy Chase, Bethesda, Potomac, Rockville, North Potomac, Darnestown, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Damascus, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick and Washington DC.