Improve Your Yard: How to Hire a Lawn Care or Landscape Professional

According to a recent survey by the Harris Poll with the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), 47% of Americans wish they could hire landscape professionals to improve their yards, and 67% think that professional landscape help would allow them to have a nicer yard.

Most Americans think it is important to have a yard (83%) and to spend time outside in the yard (75%). For those who have a yard, 90% think it is important that it is well-maintained. The majority of Americans (71%) also feel that it is important for their neighbors to have well-maintained yards too.

A well-kept yard can increase the value of your home and provide a relaxing space to interact with friends and family. Hiring a lawn care or landscape professional can help homeowners and businesses save time, take the guesswork out of caring for a landscape, and protect the investment made in a property.

Professional lawn and landscape companies provide a variety of services, including: lawn care, planting and caring for trees, mowing, irrigation, landscape design, shrubs, and flowers, interior plant installation and care, building ponds and water features, building decks, patios, and outdoor living spaces, building walkways, retaining walls, pagodas and gazebos, installing holiday lighting and greenery décor, snow removal, pest management, and outdoor lighting.

Top concerns for homeowners when hiring a landscape company are typically price and quality of work. So, how do you hire a high-quality and knowledgeable company that meets your needs? The NALP offers tips below to help homeowners and businesses make smart decisions when hiring a landscape professional.

Ask how long the company has been in business and the experience level of its staff. Professional landscape companies should have employees with either a secondary education in the field or several years of experience. In addition, professional companies are often active members in national associations like the NALP or state associations. Affiliations in national associations indicate that a company is interested in excellence, safety, and best practices. Ask the firm for a list of references and professional affiliations or check its website.

Select a landscape company that is licensed, accredited, or certified. If required by state law, the company should be licensed. This license will assure you that the contractor is accountable, and that the company is operating legally. Ask them if they have staff that are Landscape Industry Certified. A certified individual has proven experience, skills, and knowledge. Continuing education is necessary to maintain their certification.

Ask about the company's safety record and practices. Good companies put safety first through extensive training, power equipment certification, and safety meetings. NALP members participate in a safe company program called STARS.

Check their work. Visit a job in progress. Ask to see a project that will be similar to the work you want done. You want to hire a company that does good work, and reflects professionalism and integrity. Examine the quality of the job, and look to see if the crew's appearance and job presence are acceptable.

Ask the company to provide a written plan and/or contract. Prior to making any agreement, have the landscape contractor, designer, and/or architect prepare the details in writing. This plan can include the design, specify the plant or hardscape materials to be used, list all costs, provide a time table, and explain the payment terms.

To find NALP member companies and companies with Landscape Industry Certified staff in your area, go to www.landscapeprofessionals.org.

Provided by the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

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