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Thursday 28 March 2024
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6 Tips for Finding the Best Denver Landscapers

If you are a property owner in Denver, finding the best landscapers can be challenging, especially if you are in search of who can translate your outdoor areas into something that will fit your needs and personality. An experienced landscaper will put your needs into consideration and ensure that the right plants for your area are chosen, thereby ensuring that your landscape is given an impressive design. Click here for more information about how to find the best landscaper near you.

Considering that finding the most suitable landscaper for you can be quite tricky, in this article, we discuss six important tips for finding the best Denver landscapers.

Know what you are looking for

In your search for a landscaper in Denver, you are likely to run into many different terms from landscape contractors to landscape architects to professional architects. Regardless of whatever name they call themselves, you want to verify that they offer the service related to your landscaping project needs. They must have the right certifications and are registered with the right boards and associations. Most landscapers will meet with you to discuss your project at no cost. 

Be clear on your project goals

Having a good understanding of the type of project you want to be done will make it easy to clarify your needs and set your project goals. Are you aiming to increase your home’s value, or just want to reduce your water usage, or do you want to design a play area for your kids? With your goals clearly set and well-communicated, your contractor will be able to identify any possible challenges and find ways around them.

Decide your budget from the start

When your budget is established, your project scope can be easily set and give the landscaper a good idea of design options your budget can accommodate. If your landscaper has an honest figure to work with, it will aid their decision-making on your project and complications can be prevented further down the line.

An experienced landscaper will discuss how much can be done within the budget, juxtaposing it with your priorities and the quality of materials you are considering. After getting every other necessary information from you, the landscaper will then give you an estimate that will factor in things such as the design features, the existing vegetation, the present condition of the terrain, the quality of materials to be used, and the size of the project.

Check their track records

In addition to verifying that your landscaper is certified and registered with relevant boards and associations, it is important that you check out what their past customers have to say about them. There is a lot you can learn through their ratings and reviews. Remember that most people will rather complain than compliment. However, too many negative reviews could be a warning sign to take your business elsewhere. Take time to also ask the landscaper for references and show you samples of their past work.

Contacting their references may be a way to get hints of the landscaper’s weaknesses that may be difficult to detect by merely going over their portfolios. Most landscapers have a display of their portfolio on their websites where you may be able to see whether they have designs that match your preferences and determine whether they are a good fit for your design needs.

Find out how they handle subcontracting

Most Denver landscapers have full-time contractors that do their work. However, there are situations where they will have to invite subcontractors to get a part of the job done. It is important that you feel at home not only with the landscaper you hire but also with the subcontractors they bring on the job. Ideally, the whole project should be kept under the domain of one contractor. This will ensure the smooth progress of the project and the estimated pace will be maintained.

If your landscaper is bringing a subcontractor to handle a part of the project, you want to verify that they have worked with the company in the past and that the subcontractors are insured.

Make sure their contract is detailed

The landscaper you plan to hire must be able to sign a comprehensive contract with you. This contract should include important details of the project such as the following:

  • The payment terms and schedule. This should include details of the initial deposit to be made, how many installments the payment should be made, and how much is expected to have been paid upon the completion of the project. It is preferable to tie the payments to milestones rather than dates. This will ensure that the project is not running over budget and time.
  • The project’s starting and the expected date of completion. While unexpected circumstances can sometimes alter the completion date, things shouldn’t run above schedule.
  • The materials and brands to be used for the project.
  • The contract should also include evidence of the landscaper’s liability insurance and worker compensation payments.

Most landscapers have contract templates that they use. However, if you don’t find their template sufficiently detailed, you may want to draw up your own to cover all the details listed above. This will ensure the successful completion of the project without issues as each party understands the rules of engagement at all times.

A very good online resource to check out what clients have to say about the Denver landscaper you are planning to work with is the Better Business Bureau.

Conclusion

The process of finding the best Denver landscapers is pretty the same as finding a good contractor for any other project. Your starting point should always be knowing what your project goals are and communicating them effectively to the landscaper. They must be able to meet your needs. 

There should be no reluctance for them to give proof of their license, and insurance, and also give you references from past projects. Take time to check through their track record to verify their reputation and to know whether they will execute the project within the agreed time and budget. Finally, a comprehensive contract will ensure that both parties are fully aware of what’s required of them during the project.