Proper landscaping not only improves your home’s aesthetic value but also enhances your lifestyle. A new landscape can give your family, friends or colleagues opportunities to spend quality outdoor time together. Consider hiring a professional to help you with landscaping. If you are looking for a landscape contractor St Louis has plenty of them. Be sure to ask the right questions and identify the right professional for your unique needs.
Who to hire depends on several factors: your budget, project size, timeline, and complexity. The ultimate decision-making factor, however, is whether you get along. You want to work with someone who’s receptive to your ideas, project schedule and overall goals. Find someone you can easily get along with because effective communication is an essential determinant of whether the final results will be a representation of what you have in mind.
Experts advise homeowners and business owners to hire someone who takes the time to understand the space and asks relevant questions about how the space is used. Essentially, the contractor should try to understand the kind of feeling you’d like your space to evoke.
References
If your neighbor has a well-landscaped yard, don’t shy away from asking him or her for recommendations. Local listing services are also a great way to get plenty of referrals. You can also search online journals and directories compiled by professional companies and organizations.
Certifications
As you shortlist potential candidates, look at their portfolios to find a contractor who specializes in the kind of project you have in mind. Years in the business don’t necessarily equate to expertise in the type of work you need to be done. Some professionals may exaggerate their skills and capabilities, so get more than just a verbal promise. Ask for proof of certifications, licenses and professional affiliations. Seek detailed proposals and make sure you understand the terms of any contract before getting into one.
Permits
Your landscape contractor st louis, should be familiar with local compliance requirements and get all necessary permits. In fact, some contractors may try to complete projects without pulling all appropriate permits to evade fees and make more profit for themselves. Make sure all permits are pulled to avoid problems such as city fines and prolonging the project that might end up being more costly.
Cost and Contracts
Before settling for a particular contractor, discuss whether the provided quote is a fixed price or an estimate. To avoid misunderstandings and budget overruns, get detailed explanations and ask how cost changes will be handled once the project has begun. Make sure all your agreements are in a written contract. Signed contracts and set unit pricing ensure the project’s budget and direction has a provision for changes through change orders.
Insurance
Get details of insurance cover and bond before making your final decision. Find out whether the contractor carries a workman’s compensation cover to cover job-related injuries. It’s better to hire a licensed landscape contractor because they carry liability insurance to protect homeowners in case of damage to property.
