CA Contractors #344056
Not all bay area landscaping companies are created equal. Some are more geared towards residential projects, while others specialize in commercial landscaping. There are landscape professionals who prefer smaller jobs that keep their smaller, crew employed full-time, and those who can work on multiple or extensive, long-term projects at once. Then, of course, there are companies who have a certain niche or expertise – such as drought-tolerant, eco-friendly landscapes, or low-maintenance landscapes.
The goal is to choose a landscaping company that is professional, experienced, and excels at the type of project you’re looking for. And, it’s ways a bonus when you feel comfortable with the crew because landscapes require a lifetime of maintenance, evolution, and re-vamping; it’s nice to cultivate a relationship with a landscaper you are happy to work with as needed over the years.
Here are tips on how to choose the right company for your landscaping project.
Landscaping is a delicate business, and even slight variations in micro-climates, via changes in sun or shade exposure, different rainfall, slight differences in average temperatures, etc., alter the types of plants selected for a particular location. In fact, one of the most common landscaping design mistakes is creating a design that simply isn’t compatible with the location or orientation of the outdoor space.
Working with a local landscaping company ensures your design is handled by someone who knows the ins-and-outs of your geographical location, terrain, and micro-climate.
Interviewing multiple candidates accomplishes has multiple benefits. First, it’s a pleasure to see and hear the different ideas landscape companies have for your space. Interviewing three to five prospects is the ideal – and that may yield three to five different variances in landscaping possibilities, giving you the ability to pick-and-choose your favorite ideas or suggestions.
You’ll have the opportunity to negotiate a bit between different price estimates, and – most importantly – you’ll get a feel for the different company’s cultures. Odds are one or two are going to stand out from the rest in terms of their personalities, responsiveness, willingness to work with your ideas, etc. By the time you’ve met with different companies, you’ll have a feel for which one is the best for your project.
Depending on the scope of your project and the amount of hardscaping or materials you’ll need to pay for, you always want to verify that the company you select is:
According to homeguide.com, the average residential landscaping project costs anywhere from $3000 to $15,000, or more. If yours is on the higher-end of the spectrum or you have a tight budget, you want to ensure your investment is protected if the contractor walks or doesn’t complete the job, leaving you in the lurch.
The longer a landscaping company has been in business –the better. It’s a sign of integrity and high-quality work, and it’s also an assurance that they’re familiar with what works, and what doesn’t, in your area. Keep in mind that while smaller landscaping companies might not have their own website, they will still have some type of online presence via Google, Yelp!, or similar review sites where customers have posted information or reviews worth reading before you hire the company in question.
Are you interested in a general landscaping plan? Or are you hoping for something more specialized? For example, you may prefer to work with a landscape design company that specializes in drought-tolerant designs, or designs that attract or repel certain critters.
Do you have children, or are you the constant entertainers in your circle of friends? Then you’ll want a more family-friendly, multi-use landscape that can take some wear-and-tear and offers different usage zones. Do you have a small yard space? Check out the prospects’ galleries and ask to see examples of tiny lots or yards they’ve designed that has a more expansive feel.
Ultimately, you want to find a professional landscaping team who has a history of designing yards or commercial spaces that you can imagine having as your own.
Are you ready to re-design or re-vamp your commercial or residential landscape? Schedule a consultation with Bay Area Landscapes. We’ve been designing and cultivating stunning outdoor landscapes for Bay Area homeowners and businesses for nearly 50-years.