Looking to hire a landscape company? It is easy, if you know what to look for.
There have been a rash lately of unscrupulous people posing as landscape companies 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!
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, Boyds, Clarksburg, Ijamsville, Urbana, Frederick and Washington DC.