How to Choose the Right MN Landscaper

Winter is gone, the snow has melted and we begin to see our yard again. For some homeowners, spring is the perfect time to begin planning the changes you want to make to your landscaping. But, how do you hire the right landscaper when there are so many out there?

Look For Referrals

The easiest way to get started is to ask family, friends, and neighbors for referrals in your area. Have them send pictures, if possible, or visit their home to see what work has been done. With landscaping, design plays a big importance to your home so make sure what you are seeing is something similar to what you want to be done.

Check for Qualifications

Before having a landscaper come out to your home, make sure to ask:

• How much experience they have. A business that has been around longer is more likely to have more qualifications, be more knowledgeable, and have a portfolio that you can look at.
• Are they licensed and insured? If someone gets hurt on the job or your home gets damaged accidently, you won’t be held liable if the company you hire is insured.
• Do they belong to any professional associations that can back up their work? Staying current with associations like the BBB (Better Business Bureau) and the MNLA (Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association) ensures that the company you are hiring completes their jobs and stays current with landscaping trends.

 Get Estimates

Start shopping around for landscapers by having them come to your home for an estimate. Most contractors and landscapers will come to your home for free and give you a rough estimate on how much it will cost to get the work you want to be done. When getting estimates, it’s important to make sure that you understand everything that is being proposed by the landscaper. Don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Some landscaping companies are equipped to do all the work, like designing and implementation while other companies may only do one part and hire the rest out to another contractor. So, make sure you know what you are being quoted for when adding everything together and that the landscaper you choose is able to do the project right.

Know Your Timeline

If you were planning to get your landscaping done before your child’s graduation, or some other major event, make sure to ask your landscaper if it’s possible. Some companies may be able to start right away, while others may have to wait until their other projects are completed. In addition, some projects will take longer than others depending on their size. Make sure to ask each company you talk to when they think they will be able to start and complete the landscaping you want.

Can you Communicate with your Landscaper?

Most importantly, and sometimes overlooked, is if you can communicate effectively with your landscaper. Make sure that your landscaper is able to answer all your questions efficiently and that you work well with each other. Finally, getting a final written contract is especially important for both parties once plans have been finalized to ensure everything runs smoothly from start to finish.