Landscaping contractors help homeowners and businesses turn their lawns into lush garden paradises or simply do jobs that turn a brown, weed filled lawn into a grassy green landscape. A landscaping contractor will work closely with you in order to create a lawn that appeals to you while still fitting within your budget. In addition, the landscape contractor can create a design that will either require periodic maintenance by the landscape contractor or that you can maintain yourself.
How Do I Choose a Landscape Contractor?
A landscaping contractor generally learns the trade through a college program, but may take on an apprenticeship with an experienced landscaping contractor instead. College programs in botany help train landscape contractors so they will know the best type of plants to be used for different soil types. Therefore, you should look for a landscape contractor that is properly trained and has experience with completing landscaping projects in your area. In addition, many states require landscaping contractors to be licensed professionals because they may handle chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers.
What Can I Expect from My Landscape Contractor?
The landscaping contractor will first meet with you in order to discuss the types of services the company has to offer. Then, you can determine the services you wish to have used in your home. Then, the landscape contractor can determine a budget for yoru project.
Once the estimates have been drawn up and you agree to the costs, the contractor will get to work on your new landscape. The first step will be to install any necessary drainage and irrigation systems, which often requires digging up the yard. Once these are in place, trees and flowers are planted. Mulch or crushed stone puts down a weed barrier and sod is installed over the dug up soil to replace any lawn that is in the plans. If patios or decks are in the plans, they are generally completed before the plants go in place.
Depending upon the type of project you chose, the landscaping contractor may then comes back for periodic maintenance or provide you with instruction on what you need to do in order to keep the gardens and lawns looking like new.
