11 Tips For Hiring Landscape Contractors

This article will list the biggest mistakes homeowners make when hiring a landscape contractor and also show you how to avoid them.

These useful FREE landscaping tips can help homeowner avoid costly mistakes and will save money when hiring a landscape contractor.

Here are 11 costly pitfalls and how you can identify them, and more importantly, avoid them:

1. Hire only licensed landscape contractors. Look for the following license:
   • Landscape Contractors (C-27)
   • Swimming Pool Contractor (C-53)
   • General Building Contractor (B)
2. Check the contractor's license number by calling the Contractors State License Board (800) 321-2752 or and California Landscape Contractors Association to make sure their license and liability insurance are current. Also check out their website if they have one.
3. Get at least three references from your prospect contractor and review past work and visit several sites if possible.
4. Get at least three bids. You can do this on your own by going on-line to research contractors in your area or use our recommended contractors. (If you hired a landscape designer , you should already have a set of landscape concept design plan for biding).
5. Get a written contract from the contractor and do not sign anything until you completely understand the terms. Ask questions if something is not clear.
6. Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less. This is an industry standard for a contract.
7. Keep all records of payments to avoid any issues with respect to payments.
8. Don't pay cash as cash payments have a way of disappearing from the books.
9. Don't make final payment until you are satisfied with the job because it will be very hard to get the contractor to come back and fix something once they have gotten paid.
10. Keep all documents and papers relating to your project, including any project changes and amendments. Just remember, if it is not in writing then it does not exist.
11. When in doubt, hire only a licensed professional contractor who is current with landscape industry. A professional landscape contractor's primarily focus should be a client's interest first and foremost.

Do your homework before making any decisions. Not all the contractors have the same specialty and skills. Your desired style should match the contractor's ability/skills to get the most benefit.

Roxanne (Roxy) Kim-Perez is a professional landscape designer providing landscape design service in and around San Diego. Her design firm http://www.forget-me-notlandscapedesign.com is a landscape design company that specializes in modern residential landscape designs with emphasis on energy efficient, low maintenance, sustainable and comfortable designs for Southern California home owners.