10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Contractor
Find out what you need to know about hiring the right pro to execute your outdoor project
A landscape update, whether small or large, gives you the opportunity to improve your life at home. That’s where a landscape contractor may come into the picture. When it’s time to choose who will oversee your project’s construction, asking questions about everything from their expertise to how they handle project details will help you find the right contractor — one who can turn your landscape dream into a reality.
We asked landscape construction experts for their advice on what homeowners should know before hiring a pro. Don’t stop there, though. Pay attention to how well you and the contractor connect. You will be working with them and their crew for some time, so everyone should be comfortable.
We asked landscape construction experts for their advice on what homeowners should know before hiring a pro. Don’t stop there, though. Pay attention to how well you and the contractor connect. You will be working with them and their crew for some time, so everyone should be comfortable.
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Finding Your Pro
The next step is to find potential landscape contractor firms. If you’re working with a landscape architect or designer who doesn’t have an installation crew, they’ll likely have trusted companies they work with and recommend. Check with friends and neighbors or ask on local neighborhood boards. Search Houzz for landscape contractors in your area.
Follow up by reading reviews and checking firms’ backgrounds. Explore company websites and read business reviews on sites such as Houzz. Numerous negative reviews can be a red flag, especially if the same issues keep coming up.
Finally, choose your top contenders. “Don’t overwhelm yourself with more than three companies,” advises Scott Arnold of Arnold Masonry & Landscape in Atlanta, although you can decide how many firms you’d like to contact. The following questions will give you a framework for your interview with them.
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The next step is to find potential landscape contractor firms. If you’re working with a landscape architect or designer who doesn’t have an installation crew, they’ll likely have trusted companies they work with and recommend. Check with friends and neighbors or ask on local neighborhood boards. Search Houzz for landscape contractors in your area.
Follow up by reading reviews and checking firms’ backgrounds. Explore company websites and read business reviews on sites such as Houzz. Numerous negative reviews can be a red flag, especially if the same issues keep coming up.
Finally, choose your top contenders. “Don’t overwhelm yourself with more than three companies,” advises Scott Arnold of Arnold Masonry & Landscape in Atlanta, although you can decide how many firms you’d like to contact. The following questions will give you a framework for your interview with them.
Work with landscape contractors on Houzz
10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Landscape Contractor
1. Do you understand what my project entails? Go over your project with each contractor. If you already have a plan, go over the details, not just the broad outline. If you have a general idea but want the contractor to provide suggestions or design ideas, be clear upfront on what you want and need before moving ahead.
Ask about any mitigations or other issues that may need to be addressed. These may include local regulations on issues such as stormwater infiltration, drainage, electrical and plumbing requirements, sewer lines and setbacks. Homeowner associations may also have requirements you’ll need to meet. “We aways ask for the property plat and take all these issues into consideration before moving forward,” Waldron says.
1. Do you understand what my project entails? Go over your project with each contractor. If you already have a plan, go over the details, not just the broad outline. If you have a general idea but want the contractor to provide suggestions or design ideas, be clear upfront on what you want and need before moving ahead.
Ask about any mitigations or other issues that may need to be addressed. These may include local regulations on issues such as stormwater infiltration, drainage, electrical and plumbing requirements, sewer lines and setbacks. Homeowner associations may also have requirements you’ll need to meet. “We aways ask for the property plat and take all these issues into consideration before moving forward,” Waldron says.
2. What’s your experience with a project like mine? Ask the contractor if they have done projects that are similar in size, scope and design. See if they have photos of the work and any nearby installations you can look at.
If you have materials you want to use or want specific design elements such as pergolas, decks, patios, spas and water or fire features, ask if the contractor has experience with these. If they’ll be working with subcontractors — who might handle anything from plumbing and electrical to irrigation systems, pools, outdoor kitchens and AV systems — ask for the names of the companies they use.
Get the names and contact information of past clients you can contact. Questions you might want to ask the homeowners include:
If you have materials you want to use or want specific design elements such as pergolas, decks, patios, spas and water or fire features, ask if the contractor has experience with these. If they’ll be working with subcontractors — who might handle anything from plumbing and electrical to irrigation systems, pools, outdoor kitchens and AV systems — ask for the names of the companies they use.
Get the names and contact information of past clients you can contact. Questions you might want to ask the homeowners include:
- Did the crew show up on time and were they easy to work with?
- Did any safety issues arise?
- Was the project completed on schedule, factoring in any unavoidable delays?
- Did the contractor follow through on any issues that came up after the work was finished?
- Are you happy, overall, with the project?
3. What do your services cover? Make sure you understand who is responsible for everything, from materials to plants. All of those details should be included in the final bid, but be sure you understand upfront if there’s anything you need to provide.
Along with materials, ask who is responsible for getting permits or following through on scheduling inspections or meeting other requirements throughout the process. Waldron stresses that it’s vital to be sure a bid is all-encompassing. “You may get a bid for a pool but then find out it doesn’t include things like a heater or cover,” he says. If the contractor provides the plants, ask where they’re from and if there are any warranties or guarantees.
Also let the contractor know if you’ll be providing specific materials or plants or if you want to reuse parts of your existing landscape.
Along with materials, ask who is responsible for getting permits or following through on scheduling inspections or meeting other requirements throughout the process. Waldron stresses that it’s vital to be sure a bid is all-encompassing. “You may get a bid for a pool but then find out it doesn’t include things like a heater or cover,” he says. If the contractor provides the plants, ask where they’re from and if there are any warranties or guarantees.
Also let the contractor know if you’ll be providing specific materials or plants or if you want to reuse parts of your existing landscape.
4. Are you licensed and bonded? Your contractor should be licensed and bonded and should provide written proof. They also should carry insurance and be able to provide written proof of that. You’ll also want to check their safety record and ask about any affiliations or certifications. If subcontractors will also be on your property, ask about their status as well.
Extra step: Check with your insurance agent about what your homeowner’s policy covers and if you need to add anything else for the duration of the project.
Extra step: Check with your insurance agent about what your homeowner’s policy covers and if you need to add anything else for the duration of the project.
5. What is the projected timeline? Anyone who has been involved with a construction project, especially one outdoors, knows there is always a risk of delays for unforeseen reasons. But your contractor should be able to give you an estimate of how long a typical project of your size and scope should take. Also ask how they handle unexpected delays in general.
6. What is the estimated cost? Share your proposed budget with the contractor. Ask specifically about any areas you suspect might be more expensive and get a ballpark estimate on what that should cost. Waldron says your contractor should give you options that are within your budget, not tempt you with things that may look amazing but aren’t affordable. They should also be able to suggest alternatives that might fit your budget or offer ideas for doing the project in stages.
Ask about the process for getting a bid and how detailed it would be. Toto explains that a proposal is a first start on the proposed cost, not a bid. “A bid is a firm number that is guaranteed, except for changes,” he says. The final bid should also include an explanation of how costs for any additions or changes are handled. “It should be all-in,” Waldron says.
Ask about the process for getting a bid and how detailed it would be. Toto explains that a proposal is a first start on the proposed cost, not a bid. “A bid is a firm number that is guaranteed, except for changes,” he says. The final bid should also include an explanation of how costs for any additions or changes are handled. “It should be all-in,” Waldron says.
7. Who will be on site? Find out who will be on site during the project, including any subcontractors. Also ask if there’s a person you can contact directly if questions arise and how easily they can be reached.
8. What sustainable practices do you follow? Ask about how environmentally friendly the company’s practices are. Some questions to consider:
- Do you use local materials such as stone or native plants when possible? (Not having to ship materials will cut down on both the carbon footprint and the cost. Native plants will generally do better in your soil and climate.)
- Do you incorporate eco-friendly approaches toward future maintenance, especially when it comes to irrigation?
- How do you dispose of materials, soil and plants? Are plants composted when possible? Do you recycle whatever materials you can? Do you return plant containers to the nursery for reuse?
- Do you follow recommended guidelines for the area on water use and installations?
- Are the mulches and soil additives you use chemical-free?
9. How long will it take for the plants to reach their mature size? Your newly planted landscape will most likely look a little barren at first. General planting wisdom is to use smaller container plants, which adapt more quickly to the new location and are also less expensive.
If you do want a more mature landscape, discuss this with the contractor. It may be that you can add a few key plantings that are larger, such as trees and shrubs, and fill in with smaller plants.
Also ask about maintenance for both the hardscape and the plants. Some firms may have options for ongoing maintenance. Others can educate you on what to expect and possibly provide references.
If you do want a more mature landscape, discuss this with the contractor. It may be that you can add a few key plantings that are larger, such as trees and shrubs, and fill in with smaller plants.
Also ask about maintenance for both the hardscape and the plants. Some firms may have options for ongoing maintenance. Others can educate you on what to expect and possibly provide references.
10. What are your ideas? Before you finish, ask the contractor for their thoughts and ideas. There might be options you haven’t considered that will work well or approaches that might better fit your needs. “It might open your eyes to another way of thinking,” Waldron says. An experienced contractor also might suggest some fun or unexpected additions that will give your yard a personalized touch.
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Take some time to figure out what you want before you ask for bids, whether you have a final site plan from a landscape designer or architect you’re ready to execute or need help bringing your own vision for your landscape to life. “Those are big expenses, which you need to plan for at the beginning of the project,” says Steve Waldron of Pristine Acres in Aldie, Virginia. Another option is to look for a design-build firm to take your project from design to finish. “We do both design-build and landscaping,” Waldron says.
Look hard at your budget, and add some wiggle room for unexpected issues that may crop up. This is a good time to research material costs so you know that everything you want is realistic for your project. “We can help them work within their budget expectations,” says Jesus Toto of Blue Sierra Landscape Construction in San Jose, California. Waldron adds that knowing the budget from the get-go allows his team to show only designs within a client’s range. “You can’t unsee a design,” he says.
Consider your timeline. If you need the project finished by a certain date, you’ll need to let the contractor know at the outset, and also build in additional time for weather delays or supply chain issues.
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