Placing your lawn in the hands of a landscape professional can be a lot like turning your kids loose to a babysitter: you want to know everything about them from blood type to social security number, letting go can give you a panic attack, and yet you’re hoping they return what’s yours in better condition than you left it. Don’t worry, we completely understand, which is why we’ve created this checklist to make sure your landscape professional treats your lawn with the affection it deserves.
1. Are they insured?
You always cross your fingers that a worker doesn’t fly off a ladder or that nothing catches fire mid-landscaping project, but hey, anything can happen. This is why it is crucial to make sure your landscapers have workers compensation and liability insurance so that you cannot be held accountable for any mishaps.
2. What are their certifications?
Before hiring a landscape professional, question them on their certifications. If their response is something along the lines of, “All my friends think I’m awesome at holding a shovel,” smile and nod like you’re impressed but secretly decide to switch to someone who has multiple credentials from organizations such as the Irrigation Association and EPA. See All Terrain’s certifications here.
3. What types of materials do they use?
The quality of materials and equipment used can make or break a project. If a landscape professional doesn’t invest in top-of-the-line brands and equipment, there is a good chance they do not invest in top-of-the-line workmanship either. Contact All Terrain for our expert opinion on the types of materials you can trust.
4. How are their references/job history?
Don’t lie– before going on a first date, you do a little harmless online stalking to see what other people are saying about them. Hiring a landscape professional should be the same way. See what past clients have said about their service and craft because some brutal honesty can give you the exact information you need to know. Satisfied with our service? Leave us an online review.
5. How many years have they’ve been in business?
Practice makes perfect. The more practice a landscaper has, the more perfection you’ll see in your landscaping. At All Terrain, we have over 30 years of combined service and thousands of endeavors under our belts, ensuring your landscaping project will result in nothing less than absolute perfection.
6. Why do they do what they do?
This is an important one that often gets left out of the interrogation. Why is it a good idea to go this route with the sprinkler instead of that route? Why should this type of tree go there? Why is this material better than that material? And why are you even in landscaping? Jackpot answers include logical, conservative, and overall most advantageous reasoning, as well as “We want you to love your lawn as much as we love turning your lawn into something you love.”
Most importantly, never be shy to ask an incessant amount of questions. If a landscape professional is as good as they say they are, they should have no problem answering all of them. Besides, it’s better to ask your questions before then to ask, “Why did I go with them?” afterwards.
Other great tips: