Everyone knows that
by landscaping your yard, garden, or business that it will make it much more attractive and pleasing to the eye.
A properly planned and implemented landscaped
garden will provide benefits to you over the years to come and choosing the right company to carry out the landscaping project,
is the biggest factor you have to consider.
If you haven't done so already, spend some time looking through various landscape design galleries online
or in magazines. Drive around different neighborhoods and check out what others have done in their yards.
Look at layouts, color combinations, walkway
and driveway patterns, lighting, water features, trees, plants and flowers, etc.
You may think that you know exactly what you want but the more you see, the more
ideas you’ll have and the more comfortable you will feel with your final decision moving forward.
There are a few simple points that must be considered when
looking to employ a firm for your landscaping project. Well designed and installed landscaping adds considerable value
to your home (14 - 17 percent), allowing you a return on your investment of 100 to 200 percent.
Choosing the right contractor can determine the success or
failure of this important investment. Earth Wood and Flowers Landscaping offers
the following guidelines that should be considered when evaluating choices for your landscape installation.
#1 Choosing
a Professional Landscape Designer for Your Budget:
Clearly define your budget first. Professional landscaping can be very affordable or very expensive
depending on what you want to do. It’s best to have a good idea about what you want in advance so you can set
your budget parameters.
If you’re looking for functionality, be sure to choose quality products because, in the end, you get what you
pay for.
Then, you can
begin your landscape design project with a threshold that you won’t go above. This will help you pick and choose
the things that are important to you and your outdoor living environment.
If at all possible ask if you are able to visit locations where they have previously
carried out landscaping work and go and inspect it for yourself.
Also if at all possible speak to the owner of the property where the works were carried
out for their views on the company and how well they carried out the work from them and If they kept to the budgets and time
scales offered to that client.
Always ask them to provide you with a valid agreement for the work that they
will be carrying out. You do not want to end up paying more than was originally agreed upon (unless agreed to by both parties)
and this should be signed by all parties concerned.
The agreement should contain details of all plants being used, the proposed design, and all materials
that are required to complete the works. Along with the terms of payment, how long the work will take; maintenance terms if
any, guarantees, and the total cost of the project from start to finish.
Additionally, a professional landscape designer will know how to cover
all the bases before the project begins.
They will provide you with a written contract that contains specific details, clearly laying out the project and
the prices associated with each item.
#2 An Internal Design Team:
If you really want to maximize the potential of your space, make sure your landscape
company has its own professional designer who can help make your dream designs a living reality.
When a design idea has to be passed from you, to a landscaper
to an outside designer, things get lost in translation. Use a landscaper that employs its own trained designer.
#3 Design
Preview.
In this day and age, you should be able to actually
see your design before you write the check. How can you buy something if you don’t know what it will look like?
Make sure your design company can provide for you some kind of preview or drawing.
#4 Experience in the Landscaping Industry:
The landscaping industry can attract a lot of people who like the idea of working outdoors for themselves.
While there’s nothing essentially wrong with this, most people don’t take the time to get the proper training
before they start digging.
Earth Wood and Flowers Landscaping has more than 30 years experience in the landscaping industry.
There are other benefits to choosing a
professional landscape designer that has been in business for a long time. Chances are, they are very familiar with what works
and what doesn’t and that can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.
#5 Offers a Complete Landscaping
Package:
Make
sure the company you choose can provide more than just plant services internally. Most likely your design might call
for special lighting, hardscaping such as a pathway or water feature, as well as plants.
You want a company that has a team experienced in all types
of landscaping to avoid bringing in risky contractors
#6 A Guarantee on Plants:
What happens if, after a week of enjoying your beautiful new landscape, some of your plants begin to
die for no apparent reason. You’ve properly watered and cared for it, but it’s just no use.
Your landscaping design company should
offer a guarantee on all plants.
#7 A Guarantee on Hardscapes and Lighting.
Pavers can break, water features can stop flowing, and lighting can stop glowing. All of these
things can quickly ruin the beauty of your landscape. Make sure your landscape company offers a guarantee on all hardscaping
and lighting.
#8 Follow-up and Maintenance:
Whatever you do, don’t choose a professional landscape designer that leaves you in the dust once your project is finished. Chances are, you’ll have questions about maintenance
or how specific appliances function properly.
Make sure your landscaper will be available to you to answer questions and offer service to you after
your project is complete. You shouldn’t be stuck to figure it out on your own. Since they designed it, they’ll
know it better than anyone else and how to get the best of it aesthetically and functionally.
Everyone wants their project finished as quickly as possible.
Be patient and plan carefully – this will cause the least amount of stress for all parties involved.
Conclusion:
If you follow these guidelines when choosing
from the many available landscaping companies in the Dayton, Ohio area you are much more likely to end up with a garden or
landscape that you will love. If you take shortcuts and fail to obtain the services of a professional contractor, the
results may very likely be less than satisfactory in the end. Remember to...Plan Twice - Plant Once.
Call the landscaping professionals,
Earth Wood and Flowers Landscaping today, for your free estimate!
Just call ... (937) 313-4769 and they will be
happy to assit you.
