Tips for Hiring a Landscaping Contractor
Whether you’re dreaming of lush gardens, tranquil water features, vibrant outdoor living spaces, or simply a healthy, well-maintained lawn, choosing the right landscaper can make all the difference. If you’re thinking about hiring a professional to improve your yard, Better Business Bureau offers the following tips to help you spend your money wisely and avoid costly mistakes.
“Your lawn is one of the first things people notice when they visit your home,” said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Central East Texas. “If you’re hiring a professional to help you make it beautiful, it’s important to do your homework and make sure you’re choosing the right contractor for the job.”
BBB offers these tips to help you love your lawn:
Research and gather information.
Once you have determined what services you need and established a budget, ask friends and neighbors for recommendations — especially those whose landscaping you admire. Then visit BBB.org to review business profiles, which include customer reviews, complaint history, accreditation status, and how complaints were resolved. Also verify how long the company has been in business and whether it has the proper licensing and insurance required in your area.
Be cautious of door-to-door offers.
Be wary of contractors who show up uninvited and offer a “today-only” deal. Reputable landscaping professionals typically do not solicit aggressively or pressure homeowners for immediate decisions.
Ask for an on-site inspection and written estimate.
Without visiting your property, it is difficult to provide an accurate quote. Quality companies will inspect your yard, take measurements, assess drainage and access, and discuss your goals before providing a detailed written estimate. Avoid companies that quote a price sight unseen.
Ask for references and review past work.
Request references from recent projects and, if possible, visit completed jobs to see the quality firsthand. Ask previous customers about communication, timeliness, cleanup, and whether the project stayed within budget.
Verify credentials and insurance.
Confirm the contractor carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. This helps protect you from liability if an injury or property damage occurs during the project.
Get everything in writing.
A written contract should clearly outline the scope of work, materials to be used, total cost, payment schedule, start and completion dates, warranties, and cleanup responsibilities. For larger projects, request a lien waiver to protect yourself from potential supplier claims. Read all documents carefully before signing, and never sign a contract that is incomplete or contains blank spaces.
Follow a reasonable payment schedule.
Avoid paying the full amount upfront. A reasonable structure for larger landscaping projects may include a deposit, a payment at a defined milestone, and final payment upon satisfactory completion. Use traceable forms of payment and keep copies of all receipts and agreements.
Be available during major work.
For larger or more complex landscaping installations, try to be available while work is underway. Being present allows you to answer questions, address concerns early, and ensure the project is progressing according to plan.
Shop around.
Obtain written estimates from at least three different companies. Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best choice. Higher-quality materials, skilled labor, and strong communication often justify a slightly higher investment.
Learn more tips on hiring a contractor working in or around your home by going to bbb.org. If you need help with your project, find trusted landscape professionals near you and request a quote from landscape pros near you, and get a quote from a BBB Accredited Business. See BBB’s landscaping HQ for more tips and resources.
Remember, to find businesses you can trust, look for the BBB Seal. It’s the sign of a better business. Always look for businesses that follow BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust.
ABOUT BBB®: For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. People turned to BBB more than 250 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 6.2 million businesses and Charity Reports on 11,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States, Canada and Mexico. BBB serving Central East Texas opened their Tyler office in 1985 and serves 19 counties in East Texas