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Things to consider before you
start
Landscaping, brick paving,
ponds, and related outside home improvements are not
projects that most people find themselves doing
regularly. In fact, unless you have moved into a
newly constructed home, chances are good that you have
not contracted a landscaping related project before.
Following are tips to help you prepare for such an
endeavor.
-
What’s your
Budget?
The most important
issue to consider before you start is the budget.
Develop a dollar amount that you can easily afford
to spend on the project. Leave some wiggle room. Not
always, but often times, our customers add things to
their jobs as they progress, and this adds to their
total invoice. So be prepared to spend a little more
than your original budget on changes and upgrades.
-
What’s the
Cost?
Find out a “ball park” cost of the project you’re
contemplating. Knowing what you can expect to pay
will help you to prepare a budget. It can also help
you spot an overpriced contractor.
Try talking with family and friends or call a contractor and
ask questions regarding the general costs of your
type of project. We provide general costs to
customers over the phone or during our initial
consultation.
-
Do it in Phases
There is no rule that says your dream landscape has to be done at one
time. Sometimes what you’d really like to have done
is out of the range of your current budget. If this
is the case, we recommend breaking it down into
smaller jobs. For example, we have installed
landscaping for a customer one year and then the
sprinkler system the following year and so on.
-
Call now!
Don’t’ wait until you’re ready to start a project to contact a
contractor. A good contractor is always busy. We
have received many calls from prospective clients
that want us to start their job immediately. More
times than not, we are already committed to a
previously scheduled venture.
To assure your project will start when you want it to,
contact your contractor three to six months in
advance.
-
Contractors &
References
Most contractors are hard working people trying to earn
an honest living. Unfortunately, some are not so
upstanding. We have heard many horror stories about
unscrupulous contractors from our clients. We have
even repaired jobs done incorrectly and finished
jobs that were left incomplete. Worst of all,
the customer had already paid for the work. Now,
they have to pay again to get it right.
You’ve worked hard for the money you’re going to spend. You
deserve to have someone that is qualified do the job
and won’t give you the run around. To help ensure
you choose a good contractor you should review the
following suggestions:
o
Obtain two or three estimates.
o
Ask for references.
o
Most important. Follow through & check
the references!
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