A picturesque landscape adds beauty to a property and often increases the value a property on the market by adding “curb appeal.” As such, it gives potential buyers the impression that a property is worth purchasing. When it comes to home improvement projects, 97% of real estate agents recommend landscaping, according to the HomeGain National Home Improvement Survey 2012. In addition, the Husqvarna Global Garden Report found that 63% of homebuyers are willing to pay more for a property that has good landscaping. These statistics show that investing in good landscaping likely to pay off in the long run. Read on to learn how to choose the right Spokane landscaping company.
Business and Contractors License
All landscaping companies that aim to operate legally within Spokane must have a business license issued by the local government. What’s more, a contractor’s license shows that a company owns adequate insurance coverage to compensate its clients for damages.
Certification
Besides business and contractor’s licenses, a landscaping company should have certification from well-known organizations. Some of these organizations include the Professional landscape Network (PLANET) and the Association of Professional landscape Designers (APLD). For example, PLANET offers a number of lawn care certificates to competent lawn care professionals.
Experience
It is wise to find out how long a landscaping company has been in business. This is because a company that has been in business for several years is likely to have many satisfied customers. While at it, also find out if the company hires inexperienced labor during the busy summer season because having untrained staff tend to your lawn is a potential recipe for disaster.
Written Contract
It is easy for a landscaping company to misinterpret a verbal order to carry out “landscaping work.” To avoid potential misunderstandings, you should choose a company that offers a written contract detailing every aspect of a client’s landscaping job. Some of the important details in such contracts include cost, work timeline, penalties, if any for contract cancellation, and payment schedule. If you have any doubts, have a qualified lawyer go through the contract.
Client Input
Just as many people do, you probably have a good idea of how you would like your landscape to look like after a landscaping job. Therefore, choose Spokane landscaping company that takes input from clients seriously. If the company sends a representative to your home, the representative should be courteous and respectful.
Pest Management
In most cases, a beautiful landscape involves controlling pests on a regular basis. As such, find out if a company has an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) system in place to deal with pest problems. If the company relies on pesticides to control pests, find out whether it uses chemicals that may have a negative impact on the environment as well as human beings. To be on the safe side, you should go for companies that use nontoxic methods of pest control. For example, applying mulch inhibits weed growth and controls the proliferation of pests.
Compare Different Services
Before choosing a landscaping company, compare a number of different services. Moreover, use sites such as Yelp or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find out how a company deals with complaints from unsatisfied clients.
Equipment
A reputable landscaping company should have the right equipment such as sod cutters, chainsaws, trimmers, aerators, hedge trimmers, brush cutters, and stump grinders. Any company that only boasts of a lawn mower does not deserve your business.
When it comes to landscaping, it is wise to hire a professional. To choose the right Spokane landscaping company, consider factors such as certification, experience, equipment, pest management, and written contracts. Figures from the HomeGain National improvement Survey show that spending $564 in landscaping costs can increase the value of your home by $1,777 representing a 215% return on investment. In a buyer’s market, this can make a huge difference on a property’s purchase price.