In the past year, there has been an increased demand for home improvement services, including landscaping. However, finding a reputable contractor for any type of home improvement project can be daunting, and requires research. MPS has been in the landscape industry for over 30 years and we have heard hundreds of horror stories from customers who chose the wrong contractor the first time. Before you let someone into your home, start any demolition, or pay them a deposit, we have provided some important questions you should ask them:
Inquiring about your landscape contractor’s company history will give you a clearer picture of the company you’re about to do business with. Larger, reputable companies will most likely have better customer service, be more professional, have access to better equipment and materials. An established landscape contractor will be less impacted by external factors and will have proof of industry-related accreditations and associations they can show you.
A reputable warranty policy will help protect you against any workmanship issues. Remember, the longer a landscape contractor has been around, the more reputable their warranty policy is. A 5-year warranty from a company that’s 2 years old, isn’t as reliable as one from a 30-year-old company. Many small landscape companies do not last 5 years or maybe hard to track down if you require warranty work.
If the landscape contractor you’re using doesn’t have WSIB or insurance, then you as the homeowner will be responsible to provide that coverage. The homeowner will be called upon if there is an accident during the project, and this could cost you thousands of dollars in legal fees or medical expenses.
Some landscape companies sub-out their work, however, this can create bottlenecks in production, quality issues, and might affect your warranty. Always confirm whether the landscape contractor you’re using is doing the work themselves, or they have clearly outlined which subcontractors will be doing which section of work and how that may affect the company’s agreement with you.
Once a renovation has begun at your home, inside or outside, you’ll be left with unusable space for a period of time. This becomes an issue if the company completes the demolition and then leaves your property to start or work on another project. You’ll want to make sure that when the project starts, the landscape contractor will be working at your property until it’s complete. Don’t get left with a mess!
Home improvements are exciting, don’t get caught up in the excitement without asking these 5 important questions! Have questions about home improvement, our team at MPS can help. Give us a call today!
