When having a landscaping project done at your home, it can get pretty overwhelming! There are a lot of things going on, and crews and machines coming in and out of your property. Your lawn will look worse before it gets better, and the stress of a job can really take its toll on homeowners.
If you hire someone you trust (how to hire a contractor) the stress of the job will be much lower than if you hire someone you cannot truly count on. You want to be able to make sure that your contractor will show up to the job, and do the job right. Your contractor should make you feel comfortable, and answer any questions you have. If your gut tells you that something is off, you may need to re-evaluate whether or not you want to hire someone else for your job.
When having any type of renovation project done on your property, homeowners should make sure that they have a written contract that clearly states what is being done at their house. (Contractor red flags). Without a written contract your contractor could change the scope of work for your project, and you will not be able to prove what the scope of work actually is. A written contract protects all parties involved, and keep the project on track.
Before the project starts, make sure that you have taken the time to really think about your project, and all that is involved. Having an idea about what your expectations are for your project, and letting the contractor know up front what they are, will ensure that the end result is what you were expecting. Ask your contractor any questions or concerns you have before machines start coming into your yard to avoid any issues upfront.
Throughout the project, you want to be updated on what the next steps are, if there are any problems or changes that you need to be aware of, and a rough timeline of when the project will be completed. This open communication means that there will be no surprises for the homeowner, and builds trust between the homeowner and the contractor.
When you want a project done it is understandable to want to have it done as soon as possible, it is exciting having a landscape project done, and you want to be able to complete it quick! In the spring and summer this is usually fine, but in the fall and winter you may want to consider waiting before having a project completed. Wet and muddy yards can make a “quick and painless” job one that can turn into a nightmare. Equipment can get stuck, and your entire yard may turn into a big mess. When the temperatures drop, it is harder to excavate, which means that your project could take way longer than expected to complete due to the frost in the ground, or the project will be halted completely until the weather turns. To avoid these issues, make sure that you book your contractor ahead of time.
During your landscaping renovation, you should be excited through all stages of your project, not worried about what is happening to your lawn or whether or not your project is going to be completed on time. By doing your due diligence before your project starts, and hiring a contractor who is going to meet all of your expectations, you will be able to fully enjoy the process of your landscape project.