Why G&P?

Hiring The Right Company - 10 Key Questions to Ask Your Landscape Contractor

As a quality landscape contractor, we at Grant & Power Landscaping, Inc. feel that our customers should be well informed and educated in the process of hiring the right landscape contractor. Below are 10 of the most important questions to ask before hiring your landscape contractor.

1. Are you a Landscape Architect?

A company that has landscape architects on staff is responsible by license for proper scale on the landscape plan and to assure a quality finished product.

2. Why is scale important in my design?

If proper scale is not used, the design you see presented to you will never be what you see in your completed landscape. The plants will never get as large as they are drawn on the plan in incorrect scale. This is done by larger out of scale plant shapes being drawn to give the perception of a full looking landscape on the plan.

3. Does your landscape company have Workman's Compensation Insurance?

Hiring a landscape company that does not have Workman's Compensation Insurance exposes you to Liability and Law suits if an employee of the company you hire gets injured on the job. Your Homeowner Insurance Policy in most cases does not protect you from this; it is in the fine print.

4. Can you provide me with landscape referrals?

A quality landscape company should have no trouble providing you with several like references for you to see and talk to. These references should be similar to your need.

5. What if my plants die?

It is important that your landscape investment is guaranteed for both labor and material for one year. This warranty should be in writing.

6. Are your evergreens, trees, and shrubs locally grown?

Soil and climate conditions vary in different growing zones. For the long-term health of your landscape investment, it is very important to use locally grown plant material. It is initially much less expensive to install a tree grown in Tennessee or a Southern climate versus Northern Illinois. However, in the end it will pay off ten fold in savings and the aggravation of replacements by using the higher quality Northern Illinois grown plant. Most Southern grown material can take up to three years to actually die. By then, your warranty has expired

7. How much stone base should be under my Brick Pavers?

The manufacturer recommends 6 to 8 inches of Grade 8 Stone Bases under Brick Pavers. Remember just as your home is only as good as its foundation, your Brick Paver Installation is only as good as its base.

8. How do I determine that I am getting the best quality and value for my landscape dollar?

Unfortunately, the landscape industry is a very hard business to compare apples to apples. This is because you will be getting landscape plans from different companies. Remember, as discussed previously about scale, there are many ways for companies to cut corners or shave dollars. The basic truth is that you must feel confident in the company and the Landscape Architect you are working with is credible, honest and professional.

9. How many people do you employ? Do you use Subcontractors?

It is very important that the contractor you choose not only has the expertise, but also the ability to follow through and finish your landscape project. As with building a new home, not enough employees or an abundance of Subcontractors may delay or jeopardize your new landscape.

10. What is a realistic budget for my new landscape?

The answer to this question can vary quite a bit depending upon your needs. The Association of Realtors has explored many different studies to answer this question and have estimated that in the Chicagoland area, a budget of 10% to 12 % of real property value is an average. The good news is that this expense according to Appraisers and to Money Magazine has up to a 100% to 200% recovery values within five years. That is why we refer to your landscape as an "Investment in Nature".

We hope that we have provided you with the information to make an educated decision about our industry and make you certain you have chosen the best option, with Grant & Power.