Questions You Should Ask Your Franklin Lakes NJ Landscaper
If you are looking to transform your property with a landscaping design, you need to work with a qualified Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper who can deliver results according to your expectations. As a matter of fact, a good professional should be able to understand your needs and offer a solution that matches your specifications. Since the current number of people looking for quality landscaping services has grown, the need to hire professionals who are experienced and know how to navigate different kinds of challenges has also increased. Before engaging the services of a landscaper in Franklin Lakes NJ, you need to have already conducted your research in order to have a better understanding of the specific kinds of services they can provide to you. The following are the main questions you should ask a landscaping professional before they begin working.
Do you understand my vision?
Your Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper should spend an adequate amount of time with you to discuss how your dream yard will ideally appear and approximately how much money will be put into the project. Other vital areas of discussion should include the level of maintenance you are able to comfortably manage. When discussing your vision with a landscaper, they should share examples of projects that you admire since this will help clarify the specific ideas you have in mind. Once the idea has been fine-tuned, a Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper should come up with a drawing of your entire property, including all of the existing and proposed designs to show you how the new yard will appear. After this has been completed, your contractor should explain and review everything in great detail to make sure you both agree on the vision.
What is an estimate of the project timeline?
It is always necessary for your Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper to give you an estimated time period of how long the project can be expected to last. Unforeseen and unexpected challenges can frequently arise at any time and interfere with the completion timeframe. Always discuss these possibilities with your contractor and let them know if you are working within any specific timelines since this will enable them to plan appropriately for the project.
Is there a way costs can be reduced?
This is an important question, especially if the estimate you have been given is much higher than what you can afford. Always let your contractor know what your ideal budget is and ask them whether there are any possible design changes or revisions that can be made in order to make the cost more affordable. Since landscaping can be complex, it can be wise to ensure you get a quote that you can comfortably afford to avoid any potential financial strain.
What outdoor living spaces can you construct?
There are many property owners who engage a Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper not only to boost a property’s appearance but also to have an outdoor space that is comfortable to spend time in. If you are thinking of having an outdoor relaxation space, such as a deck, patio, or outdoor kitchen, the best advice is to engage your contractor and see what they can do for you. Some landscapers only deal with plants as opposed to the construction of outdoor spaces. Therefore, you should be sure to ask about the scope of their skills.
How long will it take for plants to reach maturity?
In most cases, landscaping involves the planting of young plants and shrubs to help beautify your compound. Unfortunately, fully mature plants do not grow well, and for this reason, most professionals use smaller plants which take time to attain full maturity. If your landscaping design involves the inclusion of different types of plants, be sure to check with your contractor on the approximate length of time it will take before they become fully mature.
Who can I contact in case of a problem?
When dealing with a Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper, ensure you have the details of the foreman so that you have the ability to get in touch with them in case you need any clarification. Should you realize anything is not right with how things are going, do not hesitate to point out issues and have the problems addressed. Since the landscaper is not always on-site on a full-time basis, it makes sense to obtain the contact information of any supervisors on the ground. Be sure that you know the name of your crew’s foreman as well as his or her contact information. If anything looks out of place during the landscape installation, do not hesitate to speak up.
Do you install outdoor lighting?
In most cases, outdoor lighting systems require the expertise of a professional electrician since not all landscape contractors provide this service. Before commencing a project that includes the installation of garden lights, be sure to ask a landscaper in Franklin Lakes NJ whether they actually do install lighting. You can then decide if you need to contact a different service provider.
Will you be my maintenance provider?
A Franklin Lakes NJ landscaper should be in a position to let you know whether you can rely on them for future maintenance of the landscaped yard or if you should find someone else to do the job. If they do, ensure these details are included in your work contract, and verify this before appending your signature. Also, find out specific details regarding replacement issues, such as dead plants, since policies may vary from one company to another. Do not forget to ask as many questions as possible to help you gain a full understanding of what kind of contract you are getting into with your landscaper. Do not forget to also ask about the fees charged for maintenance.
When you ask your Franklin Lakes NJ provider some of the questions provided here, you put yourself in a better position to get clarification on numerous issues pertaining to your project.