Not all landscape companies are reputable – In the landscape industry, there exists a significant divide between companies; from an inexperienced guy working out of his truck, to large multi-million-dollar businesses. The reliability of the landscape company you choose will determine the quality and longevity of your landscape. Before you make a decision that could cost you thousands of dollars, make sure you know how to spot a trustworthy landscape company. Here are our suggestions for finding a reputable landscape contractor in the Markham & GTA area:
1. Start with a clear idea of what you need & want
Have a clear idea of the landscape elements you’re looking for and the scope of your landscape design project. Look on social media sites, such a Pinterest, and save the landscape images that you like. Understanding the landscape style, textures and shapes you’re interested in will help landscape designers understand the look you’re going for. Everyone landscape designer has a slightly different style, and before you start looking at landscape contractors, it’s important to have a style in mind.
Have a budget! It’s important to determine your budget before you start working with a landscape company. Here is a link to get a better understanding of what certain landscape elements cost, in order to shop within your budget.
2. Research
Research multiple different landscape companies in your area, check out their website, their project gallery and even their social media pages. The more research, the better!
Find out how long the company has been in the industry; the longer the company has been in business the more reputable the company likely is.
Read the company’s Google reviews! Google reviews are a great way to find out the truth about a company. Companies cannot control Google reviews, so you’ll be able to see the good, bad and the ugly.
Find out if the company offers a warranty. Workmanship and plant warranties are important, especially for high traffic areas such as front entrances and driveways, which may experience more settling than other areas. A company that offers a longer warranty is more reliable than a company that offers a 1 year or no warranty at all. One thing to keep in mind, if a landscape company is only a year old than a warranty may not be reliable – many landscape companies go out of business in their first couple of years.
3. Evaluate Customer Service
Call or email the companies you’re interested in and see what their customer service is like:
Did they answer you promptly?
Were they professional in their communications?
Did they sound knowledgeable?
Your first impressions of the company will give you a better idea of how they will be with you during the landscape design and build process.
Tip: Receiving a referral is one of the best ways to find a reputable landscape company! Ask your friends and family if they’ve used a landscape company in the past and what their experience was like.
Finally, with the landscape industry, like many other trades, ‘you get what you pay for’. Yes, larger and more reputable companies have bigger price tags, however, you’re paying for better customer service, experience, higher quality of work, warranties and reliability.
