Tips on Finding a Landscape Contractor

Your landscape is more than the exterior of your home or business. It can serve as a quiet getaway or a place for entertaining. It can welcome visitors with a whimsical or formal design and make your property stand out from the rest.


Establishing the perfect landscape that will suit your needs likely will involve finding the perfect landscape contractor. These are the experts who know about plants and their proper upkeep  and who can install and/or maintain your design with ease and care.

The search for a landscape contractor St Louis residents and businesses can trust with their exterior decor begins with deciding on the types of services that are most needed. The definition of who qualifies as a landscape contractor can vary widely, from mom 'n pop "mow, blow, and go" yard maintenance services to more sophisticated businesses with architectural designers on staff and equipment that can completely re-sculpt the terrain.

For those working on a limited budget, working with a design and build landscaper may be the way to go. These are full service companies that have experience in designing and the know-how to bring the design to life. This all-in-one aspect can speed the completion of the project since you will not be working with a separate landscape architect, which removes a costly link in the communication chain.

There are a number of pros and cons to be considered in hiring a design-build landscape contractor when seeking out the proper help for your landscape project. The most obvious pro is that you will be working with just one company through most phases of the plan. Having one company in charge from start to finish likely will avoid delays from miscommunication. Since the contractor will be intimately familiar with all aspects of the design, installation can be swift. Also, this affords you the opportunity to make almost instantaneous changes if you change your mind.

On the other hand, because design-build companies generally accent the "build" part of the equation, they are not always the most creative. The design work is built into the overall cost of the project, so detailed designs may not be forthcoming. More info about this here

By using a landscape architect, you will receive plans that are detailed and scaled to the dimensions of your property. They should include a list of the specific plants to be used, along with the container size, quantities, and proper spacing. This would allow you to shop around for a landscape contractor to do the actual installation.

The decision on whether to use a design-build contractor will depend on your individual budget as well as the size and scope of the project. Regardless of the team you want to create the landscape of your dreams, always be sure they are fully licensed and insured. Ask about their length of time in the business and their experience with handling projects of your type.

Get referrals from friends and colleagues and check out the company's reputation by exploring online customer reviews. Also get a number of price quotes, keeping in mind that expensive does not necessarily mean better and that there could be a reason someone else is so cheap. A little legwork on your part will pair you up with a landscape contractor St Louis adores.