Landscaping Ideas
And Design Infromation

Searching for Landscaping Ideas and Advice...
Or Maybe You Just Have Some Questions?

Here Glen shares With You his knowledge of
Garden Designs gained over Three Decades
as a Landscape Designer...

This Month's Topic:

Landscape Contractor - How to
Select the Right One for Your
Garden Designs Needs

PLEASE NOTE: I will be covering a lot of information here. You might want to Print This Article and grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and put your feet up before you begin... Enjoy!

Over the next few months I will attempt to Answer The Questions most people have when they are contemplating creating or remodeling their garden. Last Month's Topic Covered "Landscape Designer - How to
Select the Right One for Your Garden Designs Needs". This Month's questions relate to selecting The Right Landscape Contractor......

Questions Like:

• How do You find A Landscape Contractor ?

• How many Contractors should You Interview ?

• What do You Need to do to prepare for that all
  important first meeting with the Contractor?

• What questions should You be prepared to ask
  the Contractors during the Interviews ?

• Once You've completed the Contractor Interviews...
  What criteria should your final selection of a Landscape
  Contractor be based on ?

• Once You've selected a Contractor and the project is
  underway... What problems can you expect to arise
  during construction... And how should you deal with them ?

The knowledge I gained of Landscape Designs, Client Relationships, and Landscape Construction during the first fifteen years of my career have proven invaluable. But eventually I found the long hours of trying to wear all the caps (Handling the design and construction phases for my Clients) too stressful.

So, for the last fifteen years I have concentrated my energy focusing on the Design and Budget phases of the projects (Although I do visit the sites a few times as the construction progresses). I have been able to do this by surrounding myself with a group of contractors and artisans who are familiar with my work and the high standards of quality I demand... Thus I do not have to be on-site overseeing every detail on a daily basis as I was early in my career.

This refined system, and the necessity to surround myself with the best contractors and artisans, has given me a high level of knowledge and experience... Which has served me well when it comes to selecting tradesman and suppliers to implement my Landscape Designs. More importantly it has given me the ability to read my Clients needs and match them up with the best people to help make their Gardens a reality.

It is this Knowledge, Experience and Landscaping Ideas gained in the fields of Landscape Designs and Construction over the past three decades that I will be Sharing With You Here...

Questions Like:

• How do You find A Landscape Contractor ?

  The Best Way to find a Landscape Contractor is through
  Your Landscape Designer, Friends, or Colleagues.
  (All of my landscape design business over the past thirty
  years has been from referrals only... In fact, I am not
  even listed at 411).



  This way, You will have seen a sample of the landscape
  contractor's work (via website, portfolio, or visiting
  actual completed projects) and had a good recommendation
  from someone you trust, before even calling the landscape
  contractor for an interview.

  I RECOMMEND You talk to everyone you know who has
  had their garden designed in the past five to ten years...
  That way you can get the names of several
  recommendations... As an added bonus you can also see how
  the gardens have held up over the years.

  I DO NOT RECOMMEND that you use listing/referral
  services (Like many of those found on the internet)... Or
  Landscape-Contractor Organization or Society referrals, after
  all they are only referring their members and may not have a
  complete knowledge of their expertise or business practices.

• How many Landscape Contractors should You
   Interview ?

  The number of Landscape Contractors you decide to
  interview depends on how many are referred to you.. And
  how you respond to their completed Landscape Installations
  after you have visited... How you like their work! Keep in
  mind that just because a Landscape Contractor has not
  completed a Garden that is exactly what you are looking
  for... It does not mean they can't satisfy your Landscape
  Design Installation needs.

  The most important things to look for are:

1. The Quality of the Landscape Contractor's
    garden installation... Does the workmanship
    meet your standards of Quality?

2. The Quality of the Materials used by the
    Landscape Contractor for the garden
    installation... A Landscape contractor who even
    considers using sub-standard materials
    (Unfortunately, sometimes at the Client's
    request) is not going to give you the Garden
    Installation of Your Dreams?

    Special Note: I have seen many of my
    best designs ruined by a Landscape Contractor
    who has convinced my Client's to use
    sud-standard materials to keep costs down so
    they could low-bid the job -- That brings me to
    the next important point...

3. In talking to the Landscape Contractor do you
    get the feeling they will be able to work well
    with You and Your Designer to implement the
    garden design you have worked so hard
    to finalize? Be cautious of Landscape
    Contractor's who think they are Landscape
    Designers... Most Landscape Contractors
    started out as self-trained gardeners and have
    little, if any, formal training in Landscape
    Design.

    Special Note: I have seen many of my best
    designs ruined by a Landscape Contractor who
    professes to be a Landscape Designer...
    Especially if the Client has decided not to
    retain me to oversee the garden installation.

    In fact I recall one incident were my Client
    went along with the Landscape Contractor
    making so many changes to our original
    design, that when I was called out to look at
    the final results, I didn't even recognize it as
    the same garden design! When I explained to
    the client that the changes made had ruined
    the garden design her and I had worked so
    hard on... She became understandably upset
    that I didn't like the completed garden,
    especially after she had spent her hard
    earned money on it!

   After you have completed the interviews I suggest you
   narrow it down to Your THREE FAVORITE
   LANDSCAPE CONTRACTORS.

• What do You Need to do to prepare for that all
   important first meeting ?

  The Best Way to Prepare Is to Be Prepared to explain to
  the Landscape Contractor(s) What You Expect in terms of:
  Quality of Workmanship and Materials; their crews/sub-
  contractors Professionalism; Budget constraints; and Timing
  of Your Garden Installation...

  The better prepared You are to answer the "What Do You
   Expect?" Question... The easier it will be for the Landscape
  Contractor(s) to convince You that they are capable of
  Meeting Your Garden Installation Expectations.

  To Help You Prepare I have compiled a list of question
  you can Ask Yourself to help you decide What Your
  Landscape Design Installation Expectations Are?

  Rather than list all of the questions you need to ask yourself
  here... I have prepared any easy to follow form you can
  print/fill in at your leisure and refine before your first
  contractor meeting.

  Get Your Copy of "Being Prepared" Here...
  It will help you to narrow down the amount of time each
  interview will take.

  I guarantee, after you complete this Brain Teaser you'll
  be able to handle any questions the Landscape Contractor(s)
  throw your way!

• What questions should You be prepared to ask during
   the Interviews ?

  I have compiled a concise list of questions You will need to
  ask the Landscape Contractor(s) during the interviews...

  Rather than spend time having you read all of the questions
  you need to ask here... I have prepared any easy to follow
  form you can print/review at your leisure before your first
  Landscape Contractor meeting.

  Get Your Copy of "Interview Questions" Here...
  It will help you to narrow down the amount of time each
  interview will take.

• Once You've completed the Landscape Contractor
   Interviews... What criteria should your final selection
   of a Landscape Contractor be based on?

  Special Note: After you have completed the Landscape
  Contractor Interviews and before you even consider them as
  your final selection... Check the status of their Contractor's
  License Number to see if they are bonded and insured... And
  if their are any complaints or pending disciplinary actions
  against them. Not all states require Contractor's to be
  licensed... Click Here to find out if Your State requires
  Licensing. If so follow the instructions to check the
  Contractor's License Number status.

  If Your state requires licensing... Don't Even Consider
  hiring an unlicensed Landscape Contractor! Why
  Read This informative article... It will explain why it is
  imperative that You screen all Contractors before you make
  Your final selection.

  The most important factor Your final selection of a
  Contractor should be based on is... Who you feel You (And
  Your Landscape Designer -- if applicable) will be most
  comfortable working with, and who you believe best
  understands your Landscape Designs needs.

  If you find that more than one of your potential Landscape
  Contractors falls into this category... a second method of
  narrowing your final choice should be based on the
  Landscape Contractor's experience and how long they have
  been in business...

  The final method you can use to make your choice of a
  Landscape Contractor can be based on the fees they charge
  compared with the services they are offering to provide...
  Let me just say Your Final Selection of a Landscape
  Contractor Should Never Be Based On Fees Alone!

  Again The Most Important Factor is Who You feel you will
  be most comfortable working with...

  (SPECIAL NOTE: You will be requesting proposal/contracts
  from the Landscape Contractors you have decided to
  choose from... Being a novice you should have an attorney
  review these legally binding documents before signing).

• Once You've selected a Contractor and the process is
   underway... What problems can you expect to arise
   during the landscape design installation phase of your
   project... And how should you deal with them ?

  The best way to deal with problems before they occur is to
  discuss potential problems with your Landscape Contractor
  prior to starting the installation process... Based on my
  experience, some of the problems which might occur during
  the landscape design installation phase are:

1. The Landscape Design Installation Time
     Factor...     Most clients do not have a clear understanding
    of how long the landscape design installation
    process can take. Here is a guide as to how
    long you should expect the process to take:

• You should expect the installation to
   begin within a reasonable period of
   time (+/- 30days after you have
   signed the landscape design
   installation contract and paid
   the required deposit).

   The actual amount of time to
   complete the installation will
   depend on the scope of work (The
   more detailed the Landscape
   Design, the longer the installation
   will take).

   Most landscape design installations
   will take anywhere from 3-6
   months. The amount of time
   estimated for the landscape design
   installation phase should be spelled
   out in the Landscape Contractor's
   contract.

   Special Note: Please Keep in mind
   that any agreed to completion date
   will be nullified if You, as the Client,
   start making on site-changes to the
   original Landscape Design Plans
   that result in landscape design
   installation delays (Such as:
   Changing construction materials
   selected; Adding new landscape
   design amenities; Deleting original
   landscape design amenities; etc...)

• If Your Landscape Designer has not
   already done this... The Landscape
   Contractor may need to file
   the plans with one or more local
   governing agencies (Home Owner's
   Association,City, or County)... After
   approval (Allow 2 to 4 weeks).

   In addition the Landscape
   Contractor will also need to pull
   any permits required to complete
   the landscape design installation...
   (This can take 3 to 4 weeks).

   Special Note: If you are planning
   an event once Your Garden is
   completed... Let your Landscape
   Contractor know up front what the
   deadline is. They will be able to tell
   you if the landscape design
   installation can realistically be
   completed in time for your event.

2. The Unexpected Costs Factor... Most clients
    think that once they sign a Landscape Contract
    for a fixed design installation fee that that will
    be the total cost. Here is a guide as to some
    additional fees items you may incur during the
    installation process:

• Governing Agency Fees, such as:
   Home Owner's Association review
   fees; City or County fees for
   additional design/planning review(s)
   and required permit fees.. To name
   a few.

• Fees resulting from changes made
   to the original Landscape Design
   Plans (At Your Request). These
   additional fees are usually agreed to
   between You and Your Landscape
   Contractor via Change Order. The
   item requested and the additional
   dollar amount are noted and signed
   by You and Your Landscape
   Contractor.

   Special Note: Most Change Orders
   require payment due upon
   completion of the work as defined
   and are not part of Your original
   payment schedule with your
   Landscape Contractor.

• Reimbursable printing fees, such as:
   Additional sets of prints for
   governing agency filings; Additional
   sets required by Your Contractor
   or their sub-contractors during
   construction, etc...

   Special Note: These fees may be
   billed to you directly by your
   Landscape Designer if they are
   proving additional sets of plans
   needed... Instead of the Landscape
   Contractor obtaining the additional
   sets of plans needed.

Until next month, Remember to...

Regards,





Landscape Designer

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• Front-Porch-Ideas.com : For porch lovers! We offer front porch ideas, front porch designs and great tips on front porch decorating and landscaping. Whether you love screen porches, have a small porch or a three season porch, we have many beautiful front porch pictures to inspire you!

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• Native-Again-Landscape.com : A website that provides information on the benefits of landscaping with Californian native plants and provides valuable information on how to replace your lawn with native plants that bring immense benefits to the local ecology.

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