It can be rather confusing to when choosing a landscape professional to look after the maintenance of your property. To help make the process of dealing with us, or another service provider, easier, we’ve put together a page on what to ask and things to consider before hiring a service.
- How long has the company been in business?
- How many employees does the company have? How many of them will be working on your property?
- What languages do they speak? It is essential that you are able to communicate clearly with the lead contractor and/or employees.
- What services does the company provide and what are their specialties?
- Find out the company’s contact information, hours of business and the best time to reach them.
- What professional affiliations does the company belong to?
- Is the company licensed? Being certified indicates the service is both accountable to you and operating legally. It also implies that the employees will provide a higher level of professionalism and quality of work.
- Is the company insured? You could be liable for accidents or injuries during their time on your property if the company is not adequately insured. Make sure you check for proof of insurance. Make sure the company’s name is actually on the policy; note the: policy number, expiration date, insurance company’s phone number, etc. It is often wise to call the insurance company to verify that the policy is indeed valid.
- What guarantees does the company offer? Specifically ask what is covered and the length of the guarantee.
- Get at least three references from the company. Drive by the locations if at all possible and/or look at photographs of their work. Take notes if necessary. If you feel comfortable, contact the people they did work for. Ask questions about their overall satisfaction with the service.
- Make sure the company provides a written contract. Details of what is to happen, and when it will happen, should be clearly laid out along with the prices for each service. If you can get a detailed graphical layout of the work as well, do so. Also get a quote on changes or possible problems or unseen factors that may arise during the job.
