You might think finding a landscaping company is as easy as picking the first one out of an internet search, but there’s a lot more that goes into it. Knowing what you want is the first step, then you need to put great attention into finding a company that can meet your needs and design the perfect outdoor space.

When considering how to hire a landscape contractor, there are a few things to look for. A good landscape contractor offers you choices. They listen to and address your concerns. They understand your long- and short-term goals and want to be a partner for the long run. They help you create a beautiful, and more importantly, livable space. The right person for the job makes it clear where the buck stops, and who you can talk to through every stage of the project. Here’s what you should look for.

They Listen

Listening to you and your ideas is especially important. They have years of experience, they should be able to take your vision and put them into a rendering that reflects your desires.

They’re Knowledgeable

This extends to many elements, but especially to materials. Since the Arizona climate is arid, not all materials will stand up to the elements in the long run. Reputable landscaping contractors in Phoenix will draw on their many years of experience, knowing what works in the hot Phoenix sun, and recommend appropriate materials to create the look you’re seeking.

They Communicate

Communication is critical, and it’s necessary without having to hunt your landscape contractors in Phoenix down. If you’re spending hours or days trying to get a hold of your team, you’re not going to have a good experience when all is said and done. You should have a main contact person that you can reach out to at almost any time for a status update or to answer a question you might have.

Price is one thing that most, if not all, people think about when they’re looking for a landscaping company.

• What will this cost me?
• Can it fit in my budget

Price, while it can be a benchmark, does not always define quality. Dig deeper.

Research Companies

The first step in the process is to research local companies and backyard landscaping contractors in your area. The best information can be found on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors at www.roc.az.gov. It’s the licensing and regulatory board for contractors in Arizona. You can search contractors and get useful information like this article on how to hire a contractor roc.az.gov/before-hire.

Contractor Referral sites like Angie’s List or Home Advisor give referrals to landscape services. These review and referral sites can be a great place to gather information, but keep in mind these are for profit groups. The Registrar of Contractors is an unbiased, reliable source.

Although websites can be a good place to gather information, nothing beats a referral for a reputable contractor. Ask around and you’ll get some good information. Talk to homeowners who’ve recently bought a home or remodeled their yard. Post on Facebook or Next Door to get real advice from friends, family, and neighbors.

Dig Deeper Into Companies

Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for and have pinpointed some landscaping contractors in Phoenix you might want to work with, take a look at past reviews

One major question to consider is does the landscaping service have complaints with local authorities? SLL does not, not even one in 11 years in business, which is a testament to our reliability and professionalism.

Look at their previous work, does their style jive with yours? Are you getting sparks of inspiration looking at the galleries? If you’re left saying “meh,” it’s a good idea to look elsewhere.

When you’re looking to hire a landscape contractor to work with, there are a few areas that you should pay close attention to.

Design Process

What is the process like with the landscape designer? Are you involved in each step or is it more they go-it on their own kind of deal? A good landscaping company will keep you in the know on every single step. There will be meetings where you discuss what you want and then review designs for the final seal of approval before work starts. If .

Ask Around Your Neighborhood

One of the best ways to get a referral for a company or landscape contractors in Phoenix is to ask your neighbors who they use. If there’s one lawn you love in particular, strike up a conversation and find out the landscaping company behind the beauty.

Pick a Team You Mesh Well With

A good team will not only listen to your ideas, but also build on them. You want to work with crew members who gel well with you and understand what you’re looking for. A professional landscape contractor may have the expertise, but they defer to you on major decisions, offering several options for ideas you come up with.

Compare Styles

Looking at galleries is a great way to see if their styles fit your preference, or if they have the ability to adjust their style to yours. Don’t settle for less than what you want, in the long run you’ll be happier knowing that you’re getting the yard you envisioned, right down to the plants, pavers and features.

Narrow Down the Options

Once you have researched companies or backyard landscaping contractors in your area and gotten referrals, narrow your list down to three or four companies from which you’ll get quotes. You should choose these three companies based on the reviews and referrals you got in step one.

Don’t throw your broad list away just yet, though. You’ll want to be able to bring more contractors in if needed. Give preference to the referrals of your neighbors and friends. If they were happy with their service, chances are you will be too.

Get Quotes

You know that you need a reputable contractor, someone that’s got experience, and will work within your budget, but how do you know from one meeting that you are making the right choice? Asking the right questions is the biggest hurdle. Here are some questions that you want to be sure to ask:

• Who is my main point of contact?
• What if there are overages?
• Can you give me a reference of past clients?
• How long have you been doing this?
• What’s your worksite etiquette?
• What is your schedule like? How soon will you be able to start working on my job?
• Have you done this type of project before?
• If yes, how long ago, and what was the outcome?
• If no, what makes you think that you’ll be able to take this on now?
• How is the design created?
• Is my design custom?
• Is there a warranty on your work?
• Is the work done with your employees, or are you working with subcontractors?

Asking these questions will ensure that you have a good idea of what it will be like to work with the landscape contractor and if they will be able to handle your project. Take notes so that you can make a good decision. Be sure to get a written estimate and note information on overages and warranties right on the estimate if possible.

Communication Is Key

Consider communication during the early stage — are they organized, reliable, honest, do they listen? This is how they’ll be during the project, too, so it’s important to ensure you’re getting all the answers and contact that you desire throughout the initial stages.

Poor communication is the main source of frustration during any household project, even your landscape.

Review Your Options

Now that you’ve gotten all three estimates you might have a gut feeling about the right company or landscape contractor in Phoenix, but it’s still worth getting your notes and estimates together to make your decision. Many experts say get three quotes and go with the middle one, which is a pretty good philosophy, but can be too simplistic.

Look at all three estimates and if one is much higher or lower than the others, get rid of that one. Next, consider warranty information and experience. Consider if you can work with the contractor, designer, or whoever your main point of contact will be. You could have the best landscaping contractor in Phoenix out there, but if he or she is hard to work with, or hard to reach then he or she is the wrong choice.

This could be a point where you realize that you don’t like any of your options and you need to get more estimates, which is fine but realize that no contractor is going to be able to read your mind and answer every question perfectly.

If you feel like you’re ready to keep going, it’s time to keep reading, and to make some decisions. Otherwise, get even more advice from this external contractor guide we like.

Make a Decision

If the right choice still isn’t clear, then make a pros and cons list of your top two choices which should make it very clear who you should choose. Nine times out of ten you’ll just know who you liked the best. You had a good rapport and truly felt listened to. Their concepts matched up well with your vision, and you could see yourself working hand in hand with your contact through the project.

Asking these questions will ensure that you have a good idea of what it will be like to work with the landscape contractor and if they will be able to handle your project. Take notes so that you can make a good decision. Be sure to get a written estimate and note information on overages and warranties right on the estimate if possible.

When you contract Straight Line, you’re getting the benefit of all of our experience and an excellent team that works with you to create the yard of your dreams.
If you are looking for the right landscape contractor and design team for your outdoor project in the Phoenix area, give Straight Line Landscape a call. We are almost completely referral based, and will build you a yard that you’ll love.