Choosing a landscape contractor to implement the landscape of your dreams for your Westchester, NY, home can be a demanding task. You’ll have to consider a wide array of factors and find a professional that ticks all the boxes. In this guide, we will outline all the important aspects of hiring a landscape contractor best suited to your needs.
Identify the scope and hire a specialist
The foremost task is to identify the scope of your project. Ideally, you should consult a landscape designer beforehand so you have a clear picture of what you can expect from the final design. Depending on the final form you picture for your yard, you can then proceed to research companies that specialize in the task at hand in order to provide the quality of work and durability that will add to the value of your estate. Moreover, try to hire a local company, as they are more likely to be familiar with the nuances of the terrain in your area such as climate, soil quality, flora and county laws, and will deliver a design that caters to your specific circumstances.
Research the company
With most reputed companies maintaining an online presence highlighting their proficiency, projects and specializations, this phase of the search can be started from the comfort of your office chair. When researching a company, it is important to look at the projects they have done and check reviews on sites like Yelp or even Facebook, or visit their website. Check if they advertise a specific certification and verify the information with the certifying body. Again, considering a local company also offers the advantage of being able to physically verify the work they advertise to make sure it looks as good in person as it does in the photos.
Budget
Obviously, determining a budget for the project beforehand is vitally important. This is the part where an initial consultation from a reputed professional can make a difference, as their estimates are likely to be more accurate.
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The contract
This is probably the most important document in the whole process. Make sure the contractor highlights the time of completion, specifics of the services they will provide, payment schedule, obtaining local permits and cleaning up the site. Also make sure whether the amount quoted on the contract is an estimate or a fixed price for the project. Make sure you read all the fine print and have any verbal promises included into the contract.
Insurance
The potentially dangerous nature of landscape contracting makes comprehensive insurance a must for any contractor you hire. Insurance should include both liability and worker’s compensation. Remember to verify the information with the insurance company. A subtle point is to ensure that any subcontractors hired are also comprehensively covered by the insurance to make sure you don’t end up paying thousand in damages in case of any mishaps.
Warranty
Lastly, any reputed contractor will stand by their work and provide a warranty for the materials used and the workmanship. Make sure the specifics are highlighted in the contract including the warranty periods.
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