If you’re looking for professional landscaping in the Atlanta area, you should be aware that all landscapers are not the same. Not only do they vary in price, they also vary in the quality of work and lawn care services they provide. Before you hire a professional landscape company, it’s important to go through a process to make sure you find the best one for your property needs.

Where To Start

First, you want to make sure that you hire a qualified landscape company with professional experience, knowledge and skills to handle the job. The best way to do that is with some upfront research to find out important information about the company. By researching first, you will find lawn professionals who appear extremely qualified and those who don’t. Here are some research tips:

Do An Online Search – Most established companies have a website that’s used as a marketing tool and a reference site for new business. Take a look at the company’s website and gather helpful information such as the services offered, work experience, professional qualifications, job photos and client testimonials.

Get Referrals – A company’s name and reputation get around quickly, especially in the service areas where they do business. Talk to your neighbors to see who they use, and get referrals from friends and family members in your area. When you talk to different landscape professionals, ask them for referrals from previous or current clients.

Schedule A Consultation

Once you finish your research, narrow down your choices to two or three landscape companies in Atlanta that seem to be the best qualified for your needs. Schedule a consultation with each one at your home to discuss your project and ask important questions. This will give you an opportunity to meet them in person and talk about their services. It will give the landscape professionals an opportunity to see your property and show you their portfolio. Here are some important questions you’ll want answers to:

Find Out About the Company

To find the best landscaping company that fits your needs, you should ask important questions that will give you better insight into the company’s professional knowledge, experience and skill levels within the landscape industry.

How long have you been in business?

The length of time a company has been in business is a good indicator of successful experience. A company that’s been in business more that ten years is established and a company that’s been around more than 20 years is clearly providing skilled, quality services with satisfied clients.

How large is your company?

A larger company is usually more expensive because of overhead and payroll whereas a smaller company has more room for negotiation, has less fixed expenses and is usually more personal .

What are your professional qualifications?

You should qualify the company’s professional background. Often, professional landscaping companies are owned and operated by someone with a background in landscape architecture, but the qualifications of professionals can vary extensively.

Are you insured?

Qualified landscaping companies should be insured to provide professional services. They should have a current business license and liability insurance that covers any unexpected damages to your property.

What areas do you service?

Find out what areas the company services. If you’re dealing with a local Atlanta landscaping company, they probably have an established reputation in the area. If they have been providing yard service in your area for a while, it should be easy to get credible feedback or referrals from neighbors and homeowners in the area. Atlanta Landscapes and Pools generally services metro Atlanta areas such as Roswell, Canton, Woodstock, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs.

Do you provide any additional services?

Many licensed landscape contractors provide other valuable services for your home.

Landscape Design – Creating a new layout and landscape design for your home. This may include new trees and plants, an outdoor garden design, outdoor walkways, pathways, patios and seating areas and special outdoor features.

Property Grading and Re-sloping – Providing grading or re-sloping service to build a swimming pool, outdoor patio or terrace and new garden areas.

Land Clearing and Cleanup – Providing land clearing, hauling and cleanup of seasonal debris such as fallen limbs, dead shrubs and excess leaves.

Design/Build Services – Designing, building and installing a variety of specialty outdoor features for your home that add beauty and increase property value. Special outdoor features include:

Swimming pools
Spas and hot tubs
Patios and terraces
Outdoor fountains and waterfalls
In-ground ponds
Pathways, walkways and driveways
Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits
Fully-equipped outdoor kitchens

What Services Do You Need?

As you go through the process of finding a qualified landscape company, you also need to think about your lawn goals and special wants or needs for your home. This will help you to accomplish your goals and end up with the best professional that can handle your needs.

If your long-term goals include a new patio, swimming pool, outdoor kitchen, outdoor water features, outdoor fireplace or fire pit, landscape lighting, fencing or retaining walls or any other design/build features, make sure you hire a qualified, licensed landscape contractor who’s skilled and equipped to handle these types of projects. Hiring professionals who have expertise in a variety of lawn care services will offer many advantages for your long-term goals.

Discuss your budget openly so they can help you understand the landscape possibilities within your budget. The contractor will be able to take a good look around your property, make suggestions for ideas and services and give you costs estimates. Before making a final decision.

Find Out About The Costs

Professional Landscaping can vary based on your location, property size, terrain and the services you need for your home. It’s important to discuss your immediate and long-term needs and wants, so they can give you an accurate assessment of costs. If you get prices from several landscaping companies, make sure you discuss the same information with each company for accurate price comparisons. Discuss your budget concerns and cost concerns to make sure the company you hire is aware of any budget restrictions or special circumstances that may affect overall costs.

Get Estimates

Whether your landscaping needs are small or large, ask your contractor to break down the estimate so it’s easier to understand with separate prices for materials, labor and installation. If your needs require multiple projects, you can get a separate estimate for each project with the same breakdown. This will make your lawn care cost estimates easier to understand and compare.

Materials – Depending on the work you’re doing, materials can include new sod, mulch, plants and stone. If you’re building something, materials will include any and all materials necessary to complete the project. Landscaping price estimates can vary greatly based on the building materials you choose.

Labor – Labor costs include the cost for necessary time to complete the work. Labor costs can be quoted in hourly charges or a lump sum charge for the entire job. If your estimate is based on hourly charges per worker, make sure you know how many workers and the required total hours necessary to complete the job.

Installation – Sometimes estimates lump labor and installation charges together, but separate them if possible. There may be additional charges for installation that have nothing to do with labor costs.

Hopefully this should give you a pretty good idea of how best to choose a landscape company in the Atlanta area. Please call us at 404-543-3007 for your needs in Woodstock, Canton, Roswell, Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs Georgia.