A well-designed landscape can boost your property’s curb appeal and allow you to spend more time in nature. Frequent walks in natural settings have demonstrated the ability to lower both blood pressure and stress levels. Whether you want to design and install a new landscape or maintain an existing one, hire a landscape contractor near you in Sonoma County.
Experienced landscape contractors possess specialized knowledge and advanced skills to balance aesthetics and functionality in their designs. Our licensed landscapers have received extensive training that enables them to identify landscaping problems and come up with innovative and effective solutions to avoid any errors.
Landscape contractors vary in expertise. When seeking a trustworthy professional, you might encounter inexperienced individuals posing as experts, making grand claims without the ability to deliver. Here are some tips to choose a trustworthy landscaping contractor equipped to create the outdoor living space of your dreams.
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Ask Around
If someone you know has recently wrapped up a local landscaping project, talk to them. Ask them if they’re satisfied with the quality of landscaping work done and whether they’d recommend the landscaping service or consider them in the future. Here are some other questions to ask your acquaintances.
Was the project completed on time and on budget? If not, why? (avoidable vs unavoidable reasons)
Did any unforeseen issues arise? Did the landscape contractor have a plan to manage them?
How would you rate the professional’s communication skills? Did they have a plan to ensure seamless communication?
What landscaping techniques did the landscape contractor use?
Were there any specific features like a retaining wall, fire pit, or water features included in the design?
Check Contractors’ Reputation
Before hiring a landscaping contractor, check their online reputation. Go to their website and check out their portfolio. Check the landscape contractor's social media profiles to find out what others are saying about their services. Remember to check the business’s BBB rating and ensure they are in good standing. Read comments on reputable independent review sites. Do a background check which involves checking company history. Don’t ignore red flags and walk away if the provider’s license was suspended due to nonconformance.
Check Licensing and Insurance
Make sure the professional you are considering is licensed and insured. To earn a landscaping contractor's license, a landscaping professional must gain hands-on experience and demonstrate their expertise. They must pass a licensing test (conducted by the local licensing authority) that tests their skills and knowledge.
Licensed landscape contractors are expected to stay on top of landscaping trends and should commit to lifelong learning. Hiring a licensed landscaping contractor near you provides peace of mind, knowing your outdoor space is in safe hands.
You will also want to ensure the professional is bonded and insured. By hiring an uninsured landscaping contractor, you unknowingly expose yourself to potential liability. If someone on their team slips, trips, or falls and sustains injuries while working on your property, you may be forced to bear the injured person's healthcare costs.
If, on the other hand, you hire an insured landscape contractor near you in Sonoma County and an on-site accident causes injuries to their team, the contractor’s insurer takes care of the claim.
Check if They’re Members of Trade Associations
To become a member of a reputable trade association/industry body, a landscape contractor in Sonoma County must demonstrate their expertise. Members are expected to keep up-to-date with industry trends and upgrade their skills and improve their knowledge base regularly.
At Gardenworks, we are committed to excellence. We are a member of various reputable industry bodies including the CLCA, PLANET, IA, California Native Plant Society, APLD, and ISA. Our landscaping experts follow industry news closely and are always eager to learn about evolving landscaping technology.
Get Estimates
Invite quotes from at least three different landscape contractors near you. A landscaping estimate should include a break-up of all costs involved and the scope of work. When evaluating an estimate, check all cost elements and do not hesitate to call the landscape contractor’s office if you do not understand a cost element. Ask if there are any other costs involved other than the ones included in the estimate.
When reviewing estimates, consider not just the cost but the scope of the landscaping project. Are they including essential elements such as irrigation systems, retaining walls, lawn care, or landscape maintenance? While contractor fees are an important factor to consider when choosing a landscaping contractor, do not base your decision solely on this factor. Steer clear of landscape contractors with unreasonably low-price quotes.
Talk to Contractors’ References
Request the landscape contractor you are considering to provide a list of references. If the professional fails to do so even after your repeated requests, it's best to discontinue the engagement. Call the landscape contractor’s references and ask about their experience working with the professional.
Here are some questions to ask landscape contractors’ references:
What type of work did the professional do for you?
Did the landscaping contractor’s crew show up on time?
Did the landscape contractor hire subcontractors?
Can you describe your experience working with them?
Were there any unwanted surprises?
How did the landscaping contractor manage them?
Interview Candidates
Once you have shortlisted candidates, call their offices to schedule appointments. A preliminary consultation with a landscaping contractor near you is your opportunity to assess their skills and understand their process. Before you meet a landscaping contractor in Sonoma County for the first time, prepare a questionnaire.
Here are some questions you could consider including in your questionnaire:
How long have you been working as a landscape contractor?
Do you foresee any challenges?
How do you plan to overcome them?
Are you licensed and insured?
According to you, how long will my project take?
What services do you offer? Do you specialize in design build, landscape maintenance, or lawn care?
Who should I contact if a problem occurs?
Once you have chosen a landscape contractor and the agreement has been drafted, go through the contract thoroughly before signing on the dotted line. Make sure the contract includes these following key points:
Includes all details related to the payment schedule.
States the project start and completion dates.
Includes details related to materials and products to be used. For example, will they include water features or a fire pit in the design plans?
Includes proof of liability insurance.
Gardenworks is a trusted landscaping contractor near you in Sonoma County. Whether you have a relatively simple residential landscaping project or a complicated commercial landscaping project, we can manage it. Our professional landscapers are skilled in everything from design build projects to landscape maintenance and lawn care. To learn more, call 707-857-2050.