When I call the office and the staff is out in the field, when
can I expect a return phone call?
Landscaping is a seasonal business. Many times staff and
crews are very busy working in the field. Our secretary will
answer your call or voicemail will take a message. It is our
policy (Monday – Friday) to return calls prior to 3pm the
same day. Calls after 3pm will be returned the next
business day prior to 10am. The sooner the response, the better!
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Is it important that the landscape crew is in uniform and
equipment is orderly?
Of course this is not
absolutely necessary but when landscapers are working around
private areas of your home or business, a uniformed employee is
easily identifiable and looks professional. This is important.
Professional looking trucks
and well running equipment that is in an orderly fashion help
the crew do their job promptly and move to their next location.
Appearance isn’t everything but you should be proud of the
appearance of the people and the equipment that are working on
your property.
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What about insurance?
Even though it may be rare,
there is always potential for an accident! If an edger or mower
kicks up an unexpected stone or an employee of the contractor
gets hurt on your property, this can be a major problem. When a
contractor is not insured properly the homeowner or building
owner is next in line to burden the responsibility. With
today’s legal climate, a client could burden an unfair
lawsuit. Many people overlook this and do not inquire about
insurance.
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How long has the company been in business?
Every business started at
one time or another. How long a company has been in business
does not guarantee results but is worth taking a look at! Since
8 out of 10 start-up businesses do not survive, it is worth
considering. Local businesses that have been around should be
able to provide you with references and be affiliated with
professional trade associations that show they are interested in
excellence and keeping abreast of industry changes.
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What kind of agreement can you expect?
A written agreement with
simple to understand language is of the utmost importance.
Several pages of legal jargon do not guarantee a timely,
well-constructed job! It is still the basic handshakes and
person-to-person relationship that count. The agreement should
clearly point out the pricing of those services and disclose the
cost of additional services should they be rendered.
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Are you satisfied with your current level of service?
Whether you are starting
out with a landscape contractor or you are changing to another you have to
assess your expectations and have questions. Can the landscaper
fulfill your requests? Know what you want and ask the right
questions before you make your decision. If a landscape company
cannot take care of your specific needs they should explain to
you exactly what their “window of service” provides.
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What kind of partnership can I expect?
It has
got to be a win/win. You should be getting value for what you
are paying for. If you are looking for the “best deal” you will
find a provider whose priority is only low price. When the
provider cuts costs to get the deal, unfortunately quality and
value are put last in line! We all know who suffers when that
happens. Our goal is to be valued based and always exceed
our clients expectations. If this is not fulfilled, you are just
another contractor.
