5 Tips For Hiring a Good Hardscape Contractor
From Sparta to Blairstown, we see properties that run the proverbial gamut. Some homeowners have been living for years with a space that just doesn’t provide them with joy anymore. Others have recently moved into a new home and have inherited a world of landscape woes.
Whether you’re looking to build a space to spend more quality time with your family, or you'd like to turn your backyard into something that reflects you and your lifestyle, we understand that finding the right company to turn those dreams into reality can be challenging.
I want to start by sharing a bit about Susan and the challenge she and her husband were facing in their backyard. Like many of us, although their story may be different from yours or mine, it centers on a pain-point that was preventing them from fully enjoying their outdoor living space.
A new pool had been installed. They couldn't wait to have extended family over and hear those familiar voices enjoying one anothers' company. But the pool was only half of the picture.
Because of a large, grassy area between her small deck and the pool, there was no way to get to the pool without tracking huge amounts of grass to it. They also wanted a larger area to gather and dine on. A new patio for entertaining and matching walkway would be an ideal duo to complete the picture.
1) Know Your Vision
It's OK to channel your inner child in this step. Starting a vision board from magazine clippings, vacation photos, and Pinterest pins will allow a contractor to better understand your wants and needs. No one will judge you on this art project, and the result will greatly increase your chance of successful implementation.
Knowing what you want and what you don’t want are going to go a long way. This will also help you have a deeper conversation with your hardscaper, which will help you understand if they are the best option for you.
Susan spends a lot of time online as part of her job and is no stranger to finding inspiration through various websites, YouTube videos, and Pinterest posts. Her husband was allowed to offer his thoughts. But according to Susan, her ideas were much better.
2) Do Your Research
As a regular patron at her local farm supply store, Susan's first dive into research was asking one of the employees for a recommendation. After all, word of mouth from a trusted source is a great place to start.
Inquiring with local Facebook groups, asking family and friends, and looking at contractor websites should give you a good idea which companies align with your vision.
If someone gives you a recommendation, it's a good idea to ask for photos of the work. Anyone can say, “I really recommend XYZ Company. They’re the greatest.” But without seeing the work that was done, talk is cheap. Google reviews can be a reliable source, but make sure photos are there to back them up, either on the company website or on the business' profile listing on Google. Are you going with the 3-star company or with the 5-star company?
Have you come across a company that has only been around a couple of years, doesn’t have consistent branding, offers incentives that seem too good to be true, or has high-pressure sales tactics? These are just some of the telltale signs of a less-than-reputable company.
Look into the scope with a fine-toothed comb. Everyone runs a different business. Some businesses are built to serve a one-time need, while other businesses are built for the long term. Does hiring a business that helps support the community matter to you?
Pricing may vary as much as the personalities that you will interview. It's perfectly OK if you want to hire someone because they are 30% less than another, but before you do ask yourself a serious question. "What would happen if you received 30% less than you had hoped for?"
3) Check Their Resources
Does the contractor have information that will help answer any questions? Will this information help you make an informed decision by providing you with a better understanding of their vision, ideals, past projects, and processes?
From the beginning, Susan and her husband were provided with all kinds of information, like videos, blogs, and booklets, that explained every step of the process. They knew what to expect before it happened. That gave them incredible peace of mind. This not only answered many questions before the work started, but allowed them to feel that she was being taken care of.
You are about to invest a large sum of money. It might go without saying that it is important to get this right. Sierra has spent years building an arsenal of information to provide you with a far clearer understanding of what you can expect from the company, its crew, and the landscapes they build.
4) Communication is Key
Throughout the process, a good hardscaper will take the time to listen and understand your questions, thus providing you with the right information to answer your questions and make you feel at ease.
How will you be kept in the loop throughout your journey? Robert Molinet, owner of Sierra Landscape Management, is adamant about keeping homeowners in the loop throughout their entire process. He makes sure that his crew provides any helpful information and makes sure that questions or concerns are addressed quickly and thoroughly.
Susan was made aware of progress throughout the entire process, even weeks before the crew showed up. She was made aware of things like:
When permits had been filed
When approvals were made
When the port-a-potty would be there
When flagstone or gravel would be arriving
Updates on progress or delays
She was also checked in with long after the work was done to see how she was enjoying the new space and ask if anything else needed to be done. Have you experienced a contractor with that level of communication?
5) Go With Your Gut
When you hone in on a company, how do they make you feel. Do you get an uneasy feeling, like they’re just saying yes to placate you? Or do you feel like you’re both genuinely on the same wavelength? A lot can be said for that gut feeling when you come across a company that shares your vision and can clearly express a great result. Don’t ignore that voice.
Susan and her husband respected the time and effort that Sierra had already invested into making them feel like their project was important. The information they had been provided with answered their questions before they thought to ask. When it came time to make a decision, they felt very comfortable with their choice.
With this information at your ready, finding a good hardscape contractor shouldn’t be a nightmare. There are lots of great landscape contractors around and Sierra Landscape Management is ready to hear about your ideas for a new backyard.
For more information, visit our Buyers Guide to help you decide on a budget. Or check out our portfolio to grab some inspiration.