What Does a Landscape Contractor Do?

Landscape contractors are licensed professionals who install and maintain outdoor landscaping projects of various sizes and scopes – from simple lawn mowing to designing paver patios, decks, or masonry walls. The best guide to finding landscaping companies is San Jose.

Before hiring a landscape contractor, it’s essential to read reviews from past clients online as well as seek references from friends and colleagues of the contractor.

Design

Gardens you see in magazines and books typically represent the result of hard work by professional gardeners with extensive gardening knowledge. If you want a similar landscape design for yourself, apply some of their principles.

Start by drawing out a rough sketch of your property, taking note of any permanent features such as houses or sheds, as well as areas that are already paved or planted with trees and shrubs. When complete, bring this map outside to make an accurate scale map of your landscape so you can better visualize how to reconfigure it to fit the features that matter to you.

Once you have an accurate view of your landscape’s existing condition, consider what activities will take place there, which plants you want to use, and any additional needs that arise – for instance, if entertaining guests, think about how many seats will be necessary and which atmosphere your decorations can help create.

A comprehensive landscape plan should take both the aesthetic and horticultural needs of your yard into account, such as setting borders and creating continuity. Walkways often connect different areas within your garden while adding features like regulating lines. Furthermore, placing garden features in odd numbers helps balance things out.

Installation

Once the design has been finalized, a landscape contractor will oversee its implementation. This may involve planting trees and shrubs, reshaping lawns, or laying new sod, as well as creating outdoor structures such as patios, decks, retaining walls, water fountains, or gardens.

An effective landscape professional should be able to incorporate your feedback with that from both you and your designer into a final design plan that fits within your budget. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises or conflicting expectations later.

Most landscaping projects involve digging or breaking up soil so it can be amended and planted, known as “grading.” A reputable landscape contractor should always notify their local utility companies or your state’s 811 service before starting to dig to ensure no underground utilities are compromised during their project.

When selecting a landscape contractor, be sure to request references and photos of previous work, as well as visit some properties where the results have already been seen. Inquire about a warranty policy; typically, in the Madison area, plants are covered for one year, while hardscape (patios, decks, and retaining walls) is covered for five years. It is also essential that any special requirements your project might necessitate can be handled effectively by your chosen landscape company.

Maintenance

A professional landscape company should offer regular maintenance services to keep your property looking its best, such as watering the grass and flowers, trimming trees and bushes, laying fresh mulch down, as well as offering additional services like weeding, fertilizing, planting, or edging; but these should all be part of an overall management plan.

Many states and localities require landscape contractors to be licensed. A license demonstrates that they have fulfilled minimum safety and business practices standards as well as reflecting an experience level that can be trusted.

Landscape contractors seeking to use pesticides generally need a commercial applicator license from the State. To do this, a general exam and law and safety exam must first be passed successfully; additionally, insured and bonded contractors should also be included among licensed providers.

As well as holding a state license, landscaping contractors may also require local business permits or licenses. Such permission can be necessary when performing work that exceeds $1,000 or if building permits are needed for any given project.

Some landscapers opt to become certified through professional associations. Though certification may not always be necessary, accreditation as a Horticultural Technician demonstrates your commitment to quality and professionalism.

Repairs

When hiring a landscape contractor, look for one with an excellent reputation and numerous satisfied clients. Request to view photographs of their work and read online reviews about them; assess how quickly they respond to inquiries and if their quotes are accurate; also check how quickly inquiries are responded to and whether their quotes include all applicable taxes; a reliable company should also have details regarding total cost and taxes as well as maintenance plans in its services agreement.

Landscape contractors specialize in garden and property design, construction, and maintenance – from large public parks to home gardens with small plots of land – offering their expertise in designing outdoor beauty with function in mind. From lush public parks to intimate suburban yards – their experience and skills help clients realize their vision for outdoor beauty, function, and value.

Landscape construction entails permanent or semi-permanent installations designed to alter the overall appearance of a property, such as installing wood decks, firepits, water fountains, or softscape features such as decorative gardens and rocks.

Landscaping contractors offer much more than lawn care services; they may recommend larger projects that will increase the overall value of both residential and commercial properties. Their advice draws upon years of experience to assist their clients in choosing appropriate plants, trees, and features for their properties, while regular maintenance activities like pruning or replacing shrubbery will keep your landscape looking its best.