The age old question we get asked is: why use a landscaper instead of my builder?
Incorporating new landscapes or making improvements to existing features in your garden is a major financial investment for you and your family. An outdoor living space can help increase the value of your home and create a more comfortable outdoor garden space for you and your family to spend time in. This is why it is important to hire the right contractor to work with you to bring your dream to life.
A full service landscape contractor is responsible for installing, and maintaining outdoor plants (softscaping) and other features of hardscape in residential and commercial areas. What to look for in a contractor depends on a number of factors, including the budget, timeline, and size of your project. In addition, you should look for insurance details and a portfolio of recent jobs completed. In Ireland there are too many contractors that don't even have basic public liability insurance.
If you are searching for a gardening or landscaping service for your commercial premises or home, keep a few things in mind. After all, not all landscapes offer the same services. Maintenance and aftercare of your property should be something you take seriously. After all, a well installed garden should last up to 10 years. If you decide to employ landscapers in Dublin, make sure you have a rough idea of what you want.
When researching for residential project contractors, ask for a list of references and examples of completed projects. In addition, request a visit to homes with similar projects. In fact, visiting a project while it is in progress can show you how the company works and how clean they keep their site.
Decide what you want from your garden space
Before get in contact with potential local designers, it is wise to ask yourself a few questions. What will you use for your garden? Would you want to install a walkway or water feature? Are there any crazy or special things that you would like to see when you look out of your windows. Or are you too interested in how your site can offer you fresh herbs and herbs for your family? We recommend collecting pictures of magazines/books and websites that can show the designer the style, features, or feel you want.
Start with a Plan
An important question to ask yourself is whether you need a full revamp or there are parts of your current garden you would like to keep. Having a starting budget is a great idea, as if a budget is too low or too high the contractor can offer you alternatives to get the desired finish. Since landscaping professionals offer a few services, it is a good idea to know what direction and how much you are comfortable spending. Once you know what you need, it is easy to find the right company.
Draw a sketch that reflects your thoughts and ideas on your garden. You can even write a list or a short description of what you want; this will make it much easier to compare the different ideas you have. This is where a budget is very important. More communication means a better end result.
Compile a shortlist of garden design companies.This step may not be for everyone as a garden design with 3D drawings can come to upwards of €2,000. As a rule of thumb any project over €25,000 we always recommend a designer.
Once you know what you want, it's time to compile a shortlist of companies that design landscapes in the Dublin area. Talk to people you know for reliable contacts and transfers. If you see a yard that looks gorgeous, you might want to ask that neighbour who designed their landscaping. Next, choose your list to two or three professionals from whom you will request a formal bid to design landscaping for you.
I have my plan, what next?
Choose a contractor
If you are looking for a garden or landscape contractor for your commercial property or home, keep a few things in mind. After all, not all landscape contractors offer the same services resource. Taking care of your garden should be something you take seriously. After all, we recommend holding back 10% of your budget for the first years maintenance.
There are many factors that contribute to your final decision about who will eventually build your garden.
Landscaping company. When deciding on your renovation needs, one of the main things you should do is seek out a reputable landscaping company in the local area. If you are based in North Dublin, use a North Dublin landscaping company. If you are based in Waterford, use a Waterford based company.. If you see a company that is working in the local area around your house, go and ask people you know, about the company. This will help you to find out first hand if the service is good or not.
Landscaping equipment. Another thing to look for in a landscaping project is equipment. Does your project need a mini digger or some specific equipment? You want a landscaping company that looks after its equipment; This shows that they are more potential to take good care of your project. Additionally, you want to make sure they use the right equipment. Find out what exactly they plan to use to do different activities in your garden. Even if you do not do the essential work, you should at least understand what your project needs.
Pricing of the proposed project. Do not always go with the cheapest service. You may find that different services offer you differences in stone provided or quality of wood used. The cheapest may not be the best deal. If you are used to being dissatisfied with shoddy work, that may affect you in ways that make it worthwhile to pay extra for a high-end finish. Look around and compare the work done by different companies. Then hire the best company you can afford with your budget. You might not be able to afford the best award winning company, but you have to use the best one that fits your budget. Get price quotes in writing from companies so that when you decide on one company and it increases your costs, you have a written quote for support.
Customer service. Make sure you find out their quality statement about redesigning work that does not meet your satisfaction. You want to make sure your specifications are met. Make sure that they will meet all specifications before the job has been finished. Companies that aren't as diligent in customer service will be much harder to deal with. Check in with previous clients to see if they were happy with the full service. If the company claims to focus on grass care (building green, green, healthy grass) and provides fertiliser services, choose a company that offers a guarantee. You don't want one of their employees to over apply a fertiliser on the grass and leave you paying for the dead grass that needs to be replaced.
Full Service vs. Landscaping Company. A fully functional landscape company provides design, installation, and repair work. They will have designers, accountants, and a team that can provide everything you need, from designing and building hardscapes to planting plants and care services. Maintenance companies usually only provide grass services (shearing, weeding, weeding, leaf cleaning, and pruning of small trees). You will find many unique owners who use lawn care services.
The total cost of your project may be one of the most important determinants, but you should also consider the company's information, its record of completion time and budget, and the evidence from their previous clients. Using these elements as a basis will help you choose the best landscape contractor for your project.
Scope of work. One of the main steps in finding a landscape contractor is determining your goals. Most contractors work in certain areas, so it pays to look for an expert in what you want to have done. Others are hardscape specialists who specialise in building decks, patios, driveways, fencing, and retaining walls. Some focus more on softscape landscaping and may focus on grasses, Japanese gardens, orchards, and other garden styles. If you do not know what you want, start by hiring a garden designer to help you come up with a plan.
In conclusion choosing the right landscape contractor for your project requires careful consideration. After all, this will be a garden you will enjoy for a long time. Ask the contractors on your shortlist to give you a list of references. Browse their portfolios to see if any of their garden design styles matches your taste. Check out their websites to learn about their use of certain materials and check in with them regularly throughout the build to ensure everyone is working to the same goal.
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