BladeRunners Landscaping

Be aware of the landscapers that are working the neighborhood door to door. They typically will try to sell you on the job right on your front porch. These people may tell you they can landscape your home on the same day as one of your neighbors and give you a cheaper price because of it. You should get a real consultation, a design and a written estimate for services. Be on the lookout for a sales person using a high-pressure sales line. Any contractor using this technique either doesn't have any work or is simply trying to install quantity rather than quality. Watch out for deals that end today or the deal of a lifetime. Monthly specials are understandable but one-day opportunities are generally used as a way to pressure people into a sale. You should never feel pressured to spend your money. Make sure you are provided a quality drawing (if one is needed). Be aware of the landscaper who scribbles out a design in five minutes at your kitchen table. Stay away from package deals. These will typically include a specific number of plants along with a specified quantity of topsoil and mulch. The package deals usually are "cookie cutter" landscapes and frequently rely on upgrades to make your landscape a desirable one. Usually, these upgrades aren't discussed until installation time. Make sure you are provided a detailed estimate in writing. Look out for a lump sum number especially if the contractor pulls that number from seemingly nowhere. Don't always choose your contractor based on price. Paying less often gets you exactly that…LESS. Be aware of the landscaper who says they can start the job within a couple of days, especially in the spring. They are probably lying just to get a deposit check. Any qualified landscaper should be too busy to start tomorrow. If in doubt make sure the landscape company is insured with both liability and workers compensation insurance. There is nothing wrong with asking them to provide a copy of these documents or calling to verify that they have paid their premiums. Make sure you feel comfortable with the landscaper. Do they return your calls within a reasonable time? Are they listening to your needs? Are they taking the time to thoroughly investigate your site and ask questions before offering a quote? Above all, do you think that this landscaper is interested in developing a relationship or simply collecting his check and moving on?