Picking a reliable landscaper often not as simple as it may seem

As warm weather finally starts heading toward the Miami Valley, many residents are starting to prepare the outsides of their homes for spring and summer. Transforming your yard or simply keeping it maintained can be a hassle. Hiring a landscaper can relieve the stress of doing it yourself.

A survey conducted by the National Association of Landscape Professionals stated 67 percent of adults agreed hiring a professional would allow them to have a nicer yard. According to the industry market research report done by IBISWorld, there are over 513,000 landscaping and lawncare services in the U.S. This can make hiring a landscaper an intimidating task.

Better Business Bureau has reports on over 100 businesses that provide these services in the Miami Valley. BBB offers these tips to help you find a trustworthy landscape contractor:

Understand the job. Look for landscapers that specialize in that area. Know what you want done before calling.

Get recommendations from friends and family. If they’re happy with who they use, most likely you’ll be. Also, look at online reviews and ratings.

Review the company’s credentials. Make sure the landscaper is properly licensed, bonded and insured to perform the tasks. If any subcontractors will be present, they should also be licensed, bonded and insured. Do they have industry specialists on hand, such as arborists or horticulturists?

Get at least three estimates. Compare rates of several landscapers. Don’t feel pressured to hire the contractor with the lowest estimate.

Ask for references and photos of past work. Contact references to see if they were satisfied.

Discuss a payment plan.

A landscaper will usually ask for a 30 percent deposit before the project is started. If a landscaper is asking for 50 percent or higher, be cautious. Determine a payment plan that will work best for you. In most cases, the payment plan will have homeowners pay roughly 30 percent down, 30 percent once the materials or products are delivered and the rest when the project is completed to your satisfaction.

Make sure all details of the project and payment plan are included in a written contract. The contract should include the start and completion date, materials being used and all costs, fees and guarantees.

Better Business Bureau reminds you to be attentive and do research before hiring a landscape contractor. For more information on landscape contractors, visit www. bbb.org or call 937-222-5825 or 800-776-5301.

John North is president of the Dayton Better Business Bureau.