Many homeowners can no longer maintain their landscape without professional help. Landscape contractors can transform your property from monotonous to eye-catching, while providing valuable advice to help you keep improving after the work is complete.

However, like any other service provider, landscape contractors can also do poor quality work. Here are some tips to help protect you and your property while getting the landscaping help you need from a reliable professional.

Tip #1-Look for the correct credentials.

The landscaping is done well to make your home look beautiful. It increases the value of your property and instills pride in ownership. Bad landscape design can have the opposite effect. Make sure that the people you hire are qualified professionals to avoid problems.

Many states do not require a gardener’s license. So what can you look for? First, ask for reference. Check with these previous clients to see how satisfied they are with the work of the gardener. Then, ask whether the members of the landscape team have undergone background checks or screening. Remember, these people will be in your home, so you want to make sure they can stay in your property safely.

Tip #2-Check the Better Business Bureau.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) ??is a valuable resource when evaluating potential employees. You can search for companies on the BBB website and find complaints and comments. You may find that your potential contractors have high ratings and positive reviews, which indicates that the quality of the landscape business is high. Either way, the resource is free and widely available.

Tip #3-Proof of insurance is required.

When hiring any type of contractor (including landscape professionals) to work on your property, proper insurance is important. Accidents that damage your property or hurt others can lead to serious liability claims. If the landscape contractor does not carry out work injury compensation and general liability insurance, you may not be able to get enough compensation, and worse, you may be responsible for these accidents.

Tip #4-Sign a landscape contract.

A contract with a landscape professional can outline the work you want to accomplish, the compensation and cost of materials, and the expected timeline. Sketches and other graphics can be used as attachments to the contract.Rocket Lawyer Landscape contract Take you through the process of making custom documents. This contract will ensure that you and your landscape professionals reach a consensus on project expectations so that you will both be satisfied with the results.If landscaping work requires any construction, you can also consider Construction Contract For that part of the project.

Tip #5-Discuss job guarantees.

Landscaping looks beautiful in one day, but after a week it will dry out, turn brown, and crumble. Therefore, you need to ensure that you have appropriate protection measures. The guarantee of work is an important aspect of the contract.

If you give proper care, how long will your gardener keep the plants alive? Does the gardener guarantee any construction work they do, such as the irrigation system they install or the retaining wall they build? You need to know that the company you hire will support their work in the long term.

In addition to the guarantee, be sure to ask how you will use it if something goes wrong. The company can claim to have a warranty, but cannot support it in the event of a problem. Make sure that the warranty description is included in your landscape contract in writing.

Hiring a landscape contractor should be a smooth transaction, but you do need to do some homework. Make sure that the company you choose is a reliable and well-performing company. Find the right certificate and sign the contract.If you have any questions, please consult Rocket lawyers on call_® lawyer Discuss contracts and obligations with qualified lawyers.

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm, nor is it a substitute for a lawyer or a law firm. The law is complex and changes frequently.For legal advice, please Ask a lawyer.