Dos and Don’ts of Hiring Landscape Gardeners

Dos and Don’ts of Hiring Landscape Gardeners

outdoor landscape

Having a great home means nothing if it does not look great on the outside. Curb appeal is just as important as the house itself. If you are not very talented in the gardening department, it would probably be a good idea for you to hire a landscaper.

The following list of dos and don’ts should be very helpful while you are going through the hiring process.

DO make sure that any company you are considering is licensed to operate a business in your state

This is important because those that are not will not be able to secure business insurance. The last thing you need is for someone to be on your property doing work and there is an incident, yet there is no insurance to cover the damages.

DON’T forget to call several companies to schedule estimates

It is usually tempting to hire the first inexpensive landscaper you come across, but this can turn into a disaster. The price may be low because they are not very skilled at what they do and/or there may be another company out there with more competitive rates. Either way, you can avoid issues if you request quotes from several companies before making a choice.

DO ask to see a sample of the work they have done

Any good landscaper has a portfolio of their work. Looking through it can give you an idea of whether or not they have the skills necessary to do the job you have in mind. It also helps to verify that this is their work by making some phone calls to some of their previous clients. If you are told that there is no way to show you any samples, it would be best to consider another contractor.

DON’T forget to ask for everything in writing

This will help safeguard you in the event that there is some type of dispute later. Even if you have a good idea that things will go well, it is always a good idea to have paperwork completed. It should detail the job that is supposed to be done, the duration and the amount they expect to be paid.

DO look for someone who has a good amount of experience

One thing you may notice is that newer landscapers will charge lower prices in order to get their foot in the door. Do not allow this to result in you making a mistake you will come to regret. While it is not necessary for your landscaper to have a minimum of 20 years’ experience, it is always best to aim for at least two to three years at the very least.

DON’T hire a landscaper that seems overconfident

This is usually someone who is not very good at taking directions and you may have some problems with them in the future. It is important for homeowners and landscapers to work together to create a masterpiece. An arrogant contractor is one who will not be able to help you as much as you would like. Yes, they are supposed to be confident in the work they do, but if they are boastful and otherwise arrogant it would be best to hire someone else.

DO verify all insurance information you are given by any potential landscapers

Unfortunately, there are many people out there who will continue to work once their licenses have expired. This is a huge liability and it needs to be avoided at all costs. Never take their word when they say they have insurance. The best thing to do would be to jot down the policy number and call them yourself. Once you are sure that their insurance is current, you can proceed with the hiring process.

DON’T forget to ask your neighbours for recommendations

Most of the time it is best to have landscaping that is similar to that of your neighbours. The best way to ensure this would be to use the same contractors for your landscaping needs. Since they have direct experience with them, you will have a good idea of what to expect.

A great landscaper is not very easy to find. Use the tips here when you are in the hunt for the right one.


OUR REFERRALS

  • Paula and Jon Whitty
    We knew that we would need a landscape designer with imagination, creativity and the ability to listen to our requirements. When you came to our house you took time listening to what we wanted and the scale of the project. This was important to us, because we were on a budget and timeline. You then offered wonderful suggestions within the scope and offered details. You have transformed our featureless front garden into a beautiful space where the plantings and lovely stone features enhance the natural contours of the yard and existing trees. Our front yard is now more welcoming and complements the look of the house. You gave us a yard that is easy to maintain and and is beautiful in every season. We are extreemly happy with the quality of the workmanship, and your professional nature, and highly recommend you to all our friends. We couldn’t be happier. Thank you!
    Paula and Jon Whitty
  • Gina and Marc Di Paolo
    In November 2012 we commissioned Teedo Beggs to landscape our property in Mount Macedon. The distinguishing qualities that determined our decision to go with Teedo (over other companies we had approached) were his knowledge of indigenous/native horticulture, his understanding of and familiarity with the gardens of Mount Macedon, and his ability to help us to articulate and visualize our own garden on what was a modern architectural structure on a sloping building site. The ‘landscape challenges’ Teedo took on were significant, beginning with a sharply sloping block, significant ‘drainage’ issues, and the presence of large forest eucalyptus trees that we wished to keep. Teedo was able to masterfully incorporate our desire to create a garden that would complement or enhance the sharp angular features of the architecture, protect existing vegetation, include and incorporate native/indigenous plantings, build dry rock retention walls, and provide us with a beautiful outdoor living space that we desperately needed. Teedo’s approach to his work impressed us from the outset because of his uncompromising high standards and attention to detail. Whilst the end results in mid-March may have reflected Teedo’s detailed landscape designs to a T, they far surpassed our own expectations and dreams. Our house on a slippery red slope of Mount Macedon had been transformed into a home with a truly beautiful and functional garden. We are exceedingly proud of what Teedo was able to realize and we highly recommend his work- without reservation.
    Gina and Marc Di Paolo
  • Kate and Dominic White
    Teedo Beggs responds to each garden space as an artist, the plants are his media and the landscape is his canvas. He introduces sculptural elements through natural and constructed materials. The result is an ever-changing work of art. How do we know this? Our family was fortunate enough to be able to commission Teedo to transform our country garden into a magical place. Using existing plant forms, such as established trees he creatively introduced new excitement into the landscape. The keyhole design of the formal front lawn added a theatrical element to the entry of the property. Visitors were drawn into a green, scented walkway off the sweeping drive through rendered pillars with the promise of more beyond. This opened out into the drama of the larger garden where the eye was greeted by a sensual vista full of wonderful perfumes, colour and graduating forms that complimented the enormous Golden Elm. A wrought iron handmade bench seat embedded in a hidden position ensured a comfortable view. Visitors were then coaxed downwards to the unfolding garden scenes around the house. Beautiful features were integrated into the many gardens created on the property. A graduated fishpond with its babbling waterways was set in a ‘Fairy Garden’. A tennis wall on the court beyond was superbly engineered and constructed to appear as a ‘crumbling ruin’ from another era. A post and rail fence of cypress enclosed a kitchen garden that featured generous raised beds of vegetables, accompanied by fruit trees and red brick pathways. This was a joy to work in and allowed us to feed our family. Teedo Beggs was not only artistic in his vision and execution of his ideas, but he was very professional, sensitive to our needs as a client and respectful in the way he conducted himself and his team throughout the project. We would highly recommend him
    Kate and Dominic White
  • Pete & Geri Walsh
    We have engaged Mr Beggs (Teedo) now for three different landscaping jobs at our residence in Woodend. All jobs have involved both design and construction. In respect of design, Teedo impressed us with his ability to listen and understand our requirements. This lead to a number of design ideas of which we were very pleased. In all cases we then engaged Teedo in the construction. We found his work to be both competitively priced and was completed on time as agreed, despite some minor modifications, at our initiation. The work was finished to a high standard and we have had no reservation in recommending him to our friends and colleagues.
    Pete & Geri Walsh
  • Bruce Cameron
    Being determined to make a garden from an overgrown bush block on the steep slopes of Mt. Macedon had/has it’s challenges. Luckily there is a community here of skilled garden loving and knowledgeable peoples. Most of them think that they are gifted and a few of them actually are. Teedo has an abundant and creative mind that can spit out real and never thought of options and can even more importantly manage these ideas and concepts through to a smooth and real outcome. His forte’ is structural garden design and then the project management/implementation of that design. He has an accurate and unusually quick eye for land/earth contours, levels and drainage. These lines evolve into structure, light and shade, harmony and reflections. Working with him has been a straightforward and professional affair. I have never given him a cheque without feeling pride, happiness and goodwill.
    Bruce Cameron

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