By Guest Contributor Danée Marie Lambourne
The process of updating your landscaping can feel all-consuming, especially if you don’t know where to begin. If you’re looking for the right contractor to make your dreams a reality, or a contractor who can give you advice and guidance from the get go, you need to know if the contractor is a good fit, first and foremost.
Here are some questions to ask yourself when deciding if a landscaping contractor is the right match for you and your project.
1. Are they actively listening while you speak?
2. Are they asking you questions about how you use the property or how you see yourself using the property?
3. Have they considered your family dynamics (ages, residents and their abilities, animals)?
4. Have they asked about drainage?
5. Have they offered feedback or observations?
6. Do they recap or discuss next steps?
7. Have they asked about the history of the property ( how long have you owned, when built, what do you know or not know)?
8. Have they shared with you their process?
9. Have they asked you about your budget, your timelines?
10. Do they demonstrate their agency in landscaping and landscape construction?
11. Do they have a design eye or are they construction specialists?
12. Have they demonstrated or reviewed their reach in the local industry, their partnerships, resources, and sourcing ability?
13. Have they demonstrated their level of understanding re, grades, elevations, drainage, services, horticulture, hardscaping?
14. Do you feel that you will be able to trust and collaborate with your chosen designer/contractor?
With these questions in mind, you’ll be able to better assess if you’re able to work well with a contractor.
In addition to new and large scale landscape installations, Danée Lambourne of EDEN Projects can often be found reclaiming and sculpting landscapes on newly purchased properties, and for homeowners looking to extend their lifestyle to incorporate their gardens or prepare their properties for sale.
