Questions To Discuss With Your Landscape Contractor

Questions For Your Landscape Contractor

Hiring a professional landscaper can be a fantastic idea for your property. After all, an experienced landscape contractor, who deeply understands plants and landscape design, can do wonders for your home and its surroundings.

Still, you might be a little nervous at the prospect, particularly if you have personally been previously responsible for all the landscaping that goes on around your home. What if your landscaper does something you don't like?

To better understand what the process will be like — and to be sure you are getting the best possible service from your landscaping contractor — here is a list of some valuable questions to talk over with your landscaper before starting work.

What Will Work Well For Your Property?

When you first meet with a landscaper, having a comprehensive discussion about what will — and won't — work on your property is a great place to start. An experienced landscaping contractor, and particularly one who has worked in your region for a long time, can be an invaluable resource for finding trees, shrubs, and other plants that will grow well around your home.

Many factors go into determining whether a given plant is going to take off — ranging from sunlight versus shade received daily, to the amount of water received daily and seasonally, to slope, to soil type, and more. An experienced landscaper can advise about what to plant where, and can also make suggestions for landscape design that will offer expanded opportunities for planting.

What Do You Want From My Landscaping?

As you plan out projects with your landscaper, it is important to think seriously, together, about your ultimate aims for the property. Do you want a living fence that will offer privacy from neighbors? Do you want plants to help with runoff in a particularly wet or rainy spot? Do you want fruit trees, and space to garden?

Your landscape contractor can be an essential resource as you conceptually design what you want your property to look like.

What Will Maintenance Consist Of?

It is important to consider not only the immediate planting and installation process, but also the long-term process of maintenance. After all, a well-landscaped property will only continue to look great in the long term if it is well-maintained.

Consequently, it is worth discussing with your landscaping contractor what exactly maintenance will look like. Will given plants or trees require regular pruning? Will you have to mow, or weed, regularly?

You should also discuss any installed features that can contribute to long-term upkeep. Installing drip irrigation, or sprinklers, can help keep your property well-watered even during the driest parts of the year. Regular mulching can also keep plants healthy. These plans are vital to include at the outset.

What Other Features Might You Want To Add?

As you work on any landscaping project, it is also worth considering any fixtures, or otherwise fixed features, that you might want as part of your property. These can be as simple as a statue or stone wall, or as complex as a gazebo or pool. Ultimately, these features will all combine to form the landscaped layout of your property. Your landscaper may be able to advise on good installations to maximize your use of space — as well as good plantings to complement your property's natural features.

What Will It Cost?

Obviously, one of the most important questions you should discuss with your landscaper is the question of cost. While final totals may not be clear at the outset, you should be sure to get a good estimate and discuss a schedule for payment.

You should also discuss the cost of ongoing maintenance. Establishing a good relationship with a landscaping contractor and having regularly scheduled maintenance can keep your property looking great all year round.

Hire a Landscaping Contractor Today

While some landscaping can often be done by an experienced homeowner, there are ultimately enormous benefits in hiring a contractor. A reputable landscaper can offer essential advice and input on landscaping choices, and can help keep your property looking great in the long term.



Canepa Landscaping has extensive experience in landscape design and construction throughout Northern California. To get more information about Canepa Landscaping and services that can make a difference on your property, visit Canepa Landscaping online or call (707) 322-7007.