| You have your heart set on upgrading your | | | | 5. If you plan to have the landscaping company also |
| landscape but you know that the work is beyond | | | | handle the maintenance, you will need an estimate |
| your meager ability. Here are some things to consider | | | | for year-round care that will include mowing, trimming, |
| when selecting a professional landscape firm to do | | | | fertilizing, taking care of the hedges, flowers and |
| the work for you. | | | | shrubs, mulch, edging, etc. |
| Everyone wants a nicer landscape but few of us | | | | 6. A provision for a warranty. You need to make |
| have the time to devote to doing it ourselves. Here's | | | | sure that the company will stand behind their work |
| where a professional landscaping service is handy. | | | | and guarantee their plants and workmanship. |
| The following are the simple but the most important | | | | Compare the offers |
| points that you have to consider while choosing a | | | | After the interviews are over, sit down and compare |
| landscaping firm. | | | | the offers you have received. Remember that while |
| Look around for inspiration | | | | cost is an important aspect of the bidding process, it |
| Write down any ideas you may have on a piece of | | | | must be balanced against the quality of the work. I |
| paper. It sometimes helps to make sketches. You | | | | know of several firms that can do a poor job for |
| can also find ideas online or by getting inspiration | | | | next to nothing. |
| from a neighbor's yard. After that decide on the | | | | |
| things that you want in the landscape like patios, | | | | The value of landscaping |
| pools, vines, trees, colors etc. Now you can start | | | | Here are some interesting facts from the American |
| looking for a landscaping company. Don't worry if you | | | | Nursery & Landscape Association ( |
| still don't have any landscaping ideas, the landscaping | | | | - Landscaping can add between 7 and 15 percent to |
| company can help you with that. | | | | a home's value. Source: The Gallup Organization. |
| Make a list of the landscaping companies | | | | - Homes with "excellent" landscaping can expect a |
| A list of local landscaping firms can be found in your | | | | sale price about 6 to 7 percent higher than equivalent |
| town's yellow pages. You can narrow down the | | | | houses with "good" landscaping, while improving |
| search by getting referral from friends and checking | | | | landscaping from "average" to "good" can result in a |
| with the Chamber of Commerce and the Better | | | | 4 to 5 percent increase. Source: Clemson University. |
| Business Bureau. The rule of thumb is to go with the | | | | - Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100 to |
| firms who have been in business the longest. Also | | | | 200 percent at selling time. Kitchen remodeling brings |
| make sure to check to see if the firms you are | | | | a 75 to 125 percent recovery rate, bathroom |
| interested in interviewing have any trade | | | | remodeling a 20 to 120 percent recovery rate, and |
| certifications. You will also need to make sure that | | | | addition of a swimming pool a 20 to 50 percent |
| the firm is licensed and bonded. | | | | recovery rate. Source: Money Magazine. |
| | | | - A mature tree can often have an appraised value |
| Interview the prospective firms | | | | of between $1,000 and $10,000. Source: Council of |
| There is no reason to hurry the process. After all, | | | | Tree and Landscape Appraisers. |
| your goal should be to end up with a beautifully | | | | - In one study, 99% of real estate appraisers |
| landscaped yard and to not break the bank in the | | | | concurred that landscaping enhances the sales appeal |
| process. To that end, it is best to interview at least | | | | of real estate. Source: Trendnomics, National |
| three firms who have made the short list that we | | | | Gardening Association. |
| ended up with in the step above. | | | | Get financing if needed |
| Set a time to met with the contractors one at a | | | | Take the offer to your local bank or credit union. A |
| time. If you are going to interview more than one | | | | finance officer can best advise you if the value of |
| company in a day, you will need to allow at least 3 | | | | the work is worth the cost in the bank's estimate. If |
| hours between appointments. | | | | you have equity in your home, the bank may cover |
| During the interview, you will need to do the | | | | 100% of the cost of the improvements. |
| following: | | | | Sign the agreement |
| 1. Share your ideas if you have any. | | | | For your protection and that of the landscape firm, |
| 2. Make a formal 'plan' upon which the firm can base | | | | you will need to sign a contract. I would suggest that |
| their estimate. The firm will later present you with a | | | | if the value of the contract is over $5,000, have an |
| diagram of how the landscape will look when it is | | | | attorney look over the wording to make sure that |
| mature. | | | | the landscape company is bound to do what you |
| 3. Get a time line on how long it will take to complete | | | | expect. |
| the landscaping. | | | | Conclusion: |
| 4. If your landscape will require subcontractors like a | | | | I know the process seems arduous but the pay off |
| pool contractor, make sure that the landscaping firm | | | | is enormous. Once the job is done, you can look out |
| will act as the contractor so you will only have to | | | | on your newly landscaped surroundings and be proud |
| deal with one firm. | | | | of a job well done. |