What To Look For When You Hire A Landscape Company in Bethesda, MD

Looking to hire a landscape company in Bethesda, MD? It is easy, if you know what to look for.

There have been a rash lately of unscrupulous people posing as landscape companies in Bethesda, MD and taking advantage of elderly residents (See Washington Post article). Do you know what to look for before you hire a landscape contractor? Here are 5 things to find out.

1. Reputation

This seems like a no brainer but it is always amazing that someone will hire strictly on price instead of reputation. Who else is using the company in your neighborhood? Does the company have solid references? If your neighborhood is like most, you get bombarded with flyers advertising grass mowing for $20.00 (I actually got a flyer for $10.00 this year!). The thing is, these companies cannot do the work for this price and disappear very quickly once the season gets going. Check with your friend and neighbors.

2. Knowledge

If you have beautiful Azaleas, you know they should not be sheared and should never be pruned once they have set their flower buds for the next year. Does the landscape maintenance service? Your landscape is a living, breathing investment. It adds value to your home (as much as 10%-15% by some sources). To miss a pest and have it kill a valuable plant, or fertilize a lawn incorrectly or prune plants wrong is a shame. Make sure the landscape service actually has a knowledgeable background.

3. Resources

It takes a lot of equipment and man power to properly care for a lawn and landscape. Lawn mowers, aerators, pruning shears, truck, trailer, the list goes on. If a lawn and landscape company does not have these things, there is no way they can do the job correctly. Again, back to the $20.00 lawn mowing. Are they earning enough to invest in the right equipment to be able to show up and do the job.

4. Insurance

Here is a scary thought: Did you know that if a 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?

5. Licenses

In Maryland, 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 contractor applying pesticides around your home?

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.

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Remember, Allentuck Landscaping Co. is always here to help you design, install, construct and maintain you lawn and landscape.  Give us a call!