How to Hire a Landscaper

A well-designed landscape can increase privacy, improve property value and enhance the livability of your home. A well-chosen landscaper is key to making the whole project go smoothly.

Things You'll Need

• Yellow Pages
• Calculators
• Contractor Referral Services
• Pencils
• Paper

Instructions

1. Decide what areas of your lot you want to landscape.

2. Consider your lifestyle. Do you need a flat open area for children to play in, or a fenced-in area for gardening out of the reach of the deer? Do you want to increase your privacy from the street or neighboring houses?

3. Sketch out a plan that meets your needs and wants. Or consider hiring a landscape architect if your project is large or if you're having difficulty deciding what you want.

4. Ask friends and relatives for recommendations of landscapers, or look in the yellow pages. It may be good to note the names of several firms from trucks that work frequently in your neighborhood.

5. Have several contractors visit the site and review the terrain. Give each contractor a written description of the project. If you have an actual plan drawn, give each of them a copy.

6. Discuss your proposed design with the landscapers. Consider their suggestions, particularly if you're uncertain about the layout you want.

7. Ask for the addresses of several past projects from each, and drive by to take a look.

8. Get bids from the contractors.

9. Ask for references. Contact these past customers and inquire about their satisfaction with the work done. Was everything completed on time? Did the contractor replace any plantings that died?

10. Select a contractor based on a combination of price and the quality of past projects and references.

11. Execute a contract specifying the work to be done, price, payment schedule, start date and estimated completion date.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure that you know the size and appearance of the plantings in the contractor's bid. Many trees and shrubs are quite small when first planted.

• Don't forget fencing, patios, pathways and similar fixtures as part of your overall plan. You may use a different contractor for some of these items.

• Make sure that your contract includes a warranty for the replacement of shrubs and trees that die after planting.

• To save money, consider supplying your own trees and shrubs and contracting out the labor only. You may be able to get better material prices this way.