Grow your home with outdoor renos
Choosing the right landscaper is vital to getting the results you envision
With home prices remaining sky high, many folks are looking not only to remodel their existing house but also to extend their living space by creating amazing outdoor rooms.
Done well, these spaces can create a whole new level of enjoyment in our gardens, large or small. Because many of us don’t have the skill set to create the look and feel we want, we rely on professional landscapers for both the hardscape elements, and the surround of plants.
Whether you have been through this process before or not, choosing the right landscaping firm is critical for success.
Chief operating officer of the B.C. Landscape and Nursery Association Hedy Dyck provided a few names of member companies who could advise on how to choose a landscaper.
There are many different types of landscaping firms — some design and build whole projects, some do only installations and renovations, and others focus on maintenance services.
You need to determine the type of work you want done and then find the company with the right skills and experience.
Jeff Foley, owner of Para Space Landscaping, and Bruce Hunter of Hunter Landscape Design provided some great insights on what to consider when selecting a landscaping contractor. First, it’s important that both you and the landscaper understand the scope of the project to be done. Do your homework.
It is important to make sure the company you retain has qualified individuals.
There is a landscape industry test that indicates they have training in one or more areas: soft landscaping, hard landscaping, turf and ornamental plants.
The Industry Training Authority, based in Richmond, also provides individual certification called the Landscape Horticultural Red Seal Accreditation, and those who have qualified are highly trained. Some universities also have a one-year horticultural certificate program.
You need to ask if your contractor has a business licence in your community.
Is he or she knowledgeable about local plant bylaws and regulations and willing to work within these parameters?
It is critical also that they are insured appropriately, especially with liability insurance. Make sure the company is in good standing with WorkSafe B.C., so their work crew has coverage for any injuries on the job.
If sub-trades are being used, you need to know who they are and specifically what part of the contract they are supplying.
Asking for two or three references is quite in order, and be sure to follow through and check them out. You need to be comfortable with the people who are going to be on your property.
When asking for quotes, Hunter says it’s important to have a specific design in place so every landscape firm is quoting on exactly the same installation, otherwise it’s impossible to make a fair comparison.
It is essential that you carefully look at each quote for the specifications of materials being used: Do the plants meet the size and quality standards of the BCLNA and Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association, and are the materials, including soils, meeting those same standards?
Before the contract is awarded, you need to know how long the work will take to complete and if weather or product supply can delay the completion.
Because most of us have neighbours with whom we want to maintain good relations, it is important to ask how this work will affect them at each stage of the project. What noise levels should be expected? Will there be early morning starts? Could truck parking, equipment arrivals and departures and materials left on site cause potential problems?
It is essential to know the company’s warranty policy. In most cases, the warranty will require that the property owner provide the proper watering and care of the plants appropriate for the season. You will need to finalize payment terms, and discuss how any contract changes will be handled. Once the contract is awarded, you will need to sign off on the work to be done.
Foley says probably one of the most important issues all through the process is communication. Delays, for a variety of valid reasons, can affect completion dates and keeping the client abreast of these situations makes for a continuing good relationship. If the business you select is a member of the BCLNA, they must adhere to their code of ethics.
Foley also pointed out that there is a new national landscape accreditation process recently introduced through CNLA, which ensures that accredited members are of the highest standard. Many firms across the country are beginning to apply for this accreditation.
To be fair, many landscape firms not associated with BCLNA have been doing great work for a long while, and have earned a solid reputation and great client satisfaction. The intent of both associations is to increase the quality of training and business skills of member firms, and to bring the whole landscaping industry up to a higher level of performance.
If you want to create a new outdoor living space, there are many reputable businesses to help you achieve your vision. To that end, choose a highly qualified firm that shares your passion.