Top 5 Questions To Ask Your Kalamazoo Landscape Company

If you’re looking for a company to overhaul your Kalamazoo landscape this year (or in the research stage), you know there are good honest contractors, and then the other ones. You know, the ones we all hear about on the evening news, that never complete a job but get paid. With all the stories out there about the dishonest contractors, you want to make sure you end up in the hands of a professional company that will provide you with a superior experience and even exceed your expectations. We’ve compiled a list of our top 5 questions to ask your Kalamazoo landscape company, to help you get started.

Is Your Company Qualified?

Kind of like in an interview when the employer asks “why should I hire you”, you’re basically asking the same thing.  Many contractors love to show recent work, so if they haven’t shown any recent projects to you, ask to see a portfolio. Even though many ‘portfolios’ are now pages on a company’s website and easily accessible, many projects are never published online, sometimes because the number of projects completed is just too great to add to a website. You may also want to check on qualifications, certifications, and insurance, and even references. Another great way to find out the opinions of past clients is to search for reviews on Houzz and Facebook.

Your Website Says Full Service, What Does That Mean?

Just like defining ‘common sense’, ‘full service’ can mean different things to different companies, so make sure full service is clarified. If your project is going to require a landscape design, you’ll want to make sure the company has a landscape designer on staff, or if you decide you want a ‘one and done’ company to complete everything including maintenance, you’ll want to know if the Kalamazoo landscape company you’re interviewing can provide everything you’re looking for. Many times, if a company says they are ‘full service’ on their website, they will outline all the services they are able to provide, but it’s nice to have the company clarify to make sure you’re getting what you want.

Are Subcontractors Ever Used In Your Projects?

Subcontractors are very common for many Kalamazoo landscape companies to use for certain services. Make sure you ask what, if any, services will be subcontracted. If there are services to be subcontracted out, make sure you know what parts of the project will be involved, and who will be responsible for what. When it comes to subcontractors, it typically depends on the scope of the project, so make sure you know what will be happening on your property.

Do You Conduct Background Checks?

Having unknown people on your property is a pretty big deal, so knowing if the perspective Kalamazoo landscape company conducts background checks is pretty important. In addition to asking if a company performs background checks, you can also ask what type of checks are conducted. Typically, a criminal background check is standard, but check nonetheless. Another item to consider is if a background check is conducted and there is an offense, if the company hires that person, or what types of offenses the company work with and what type they won’t. Online public records searches are also a place to look if a company does not conduct background checks.

Are Any of Your Practices or Materials Sustainable?