While it may be freezing cold outside today here in Chicago, I am not letting that bother me. In fact, I am more looking towards the spring when I will once again get out and plant annuals and flowers to brighten up my home. But what about the bigger projects like brick paver patios and retaining stone faced walls? Well, it may be time to outsource those bigger landscape jobs to a professional contractor. Here's what I recommend.
Here are some quick tips on hiring a landscaper or landscape construction company in your area.
Before you do anything, you should bring out a professional landscape architect or two and have them draw up a detailed landscape plan for you. These guys can anticipate problems such as drainage or grading, as well as let you know about local codes and regulations. This way, you are saved a few hassles. This process may cost you a little money, but it is well worth it.
Secondly, let's take a look at the plans your landscape architect laid out and see if we can do any of the work on our own. This is where the inner "do-it-yourself-er" will come out of you. You can save big bucks by parsing out pieces of the job and getting them done yourself. Just be sure you don't get in too deep and mess up some other portion of the project. If you need your contractor to come in and bail you out, you are going to end up losing money!
The next step is to actually bring in a few landscape contractors and share with them the plans you had drawn up in step one. I would try to interview at least 3 contractors and see what they say. Compare their prices and also their optimism and realism. If a guy tells you he can get the whole project done in a month, yet another guy says it will take 6 months, then you need to reconsider what you are being told. In addition, ask to see some properties he has completed and take a field trip to check them out.
Finally, you should set a time frame that you think the design should be completed in. Keep in mind there are weather issues that crop up during any project and patience will be a virtue to you. It is always advised that you start your landscaping project in the early spring so you can use the summer to either run the overages, or actually enjoy what you have paid for!
Follow these ideas and you will be able to get that landscape re-done this year without a hassle. Be ready for a few bumps, but get started soon. You will be out and enjoying summer margaritas on that new patio before you know it! Get started soon and get your contractor lined up before he gets booked up for the season. - 16459
Here are some quick tips on hiring a landscaper or landscape construction company in your area.
Before you do anything, you should bring out a professional landscape architect or two and have them draw up a detailed landscape plan for you. These guys can anticipate problems such as drainage or grading, as well as let you know about local codes and regulations. This way, you are saved a few hassles. This process may cost you a little money, but it is well worth it.
Secondly, let's take a look at the plans your landscape architect laid out and see if we can do any of the work on our own. This is where the inner "do-it-yourself-er" will come out of you. You can save big bucks by parsing out pieces of the job and getting them done yourself. Just be sure you don't get in too deep and mess up some other portion of the project. If you need your contractor to come in and bail you out, you are going to end up losing money!
The next step is to actually bring in a few landscape contractors and share with them the plans you had drawn up in step one. I would try to interview at least 3 contractors and see what they say. Compare their prices and also their optimism and realism. If a guy tells you he can get the whole project done in a month, yet another guy says it will take 6 months, then you need to reconsider what you are being told. In addition, ask to see some properties he has completed and take a field trip to check them out.
Finally, you should set a time frame that you think the design should be completed in. Keep in mind there are weather issues that crop up during any project and patience will be a virtue to you. It is always advised that you start your landscaping project in the early spring so you can use the summer to either run the overages, or actually enjoy what you have paid for!
Follow these ideas and you will be able to get that landscape re-done this year without a hassle. Be ready for a few bumps, but get started soon. You will be out and enjoying summer margaritas on that new patio before you know it! Get started soon and get your contractor lined up before he gets booked up for the season. - 16459
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