Some find yard work to be an enjoyable chore, while others find it insufferable and frustrating. Even if yard work is your favorite pastime, some yard and lawn maintenance tasks are beyond the scope of most homeowners’ abilities. That's where landscaping contractors come in.
So how do you go about finding the right contractor for your landscaping needs? Maybe you have a family member, friend or co-worker who knows a reliable one and will share the information. But chances are you'll have to search on your own. You'll also want to be assured of the company's qualifications and find out if (and how) your own insurance comes into play.
Search the internet
You can find just about anything on the internet. But when looking for a landscaping contractor, searching the web becomes particularly important. Landscapers don’t traditionally advertise on TV or via radio, so the web can be the best place to look.
General business review websites such as Yelp* can be a great start. Also, all the major search engines will provide user-submitted reviews and ratings when you type in "landscaping contractor" or a similar search term. For more detailed listings, though, sites like Angie's List* or HomeAdvisor*, which focus specifically on the landscaping and home-improvement industries are a possible resource. These and similar websites only advertise businesses that have undergone background checks.
Verify their qualifications
Regardless of how you find your landscaping contractor, you'll want to make sure that the business has certain bona fides. HomeAdvisor recommends finding out if the company has all necessary licenses and if it's bonded and insured. The latter aspect can be crucial. If the contractor isn't insured, you might be left empty-handed for any damage caused to your property in the event of a job-related accident.
It's also wise to have the landscaper draw up a written contract detailing the work to be done, and make sure you receive your own copy. In the worst-case scenario of a legal dispute between you and the business, you'll have documentation to fall back on.
Does insurance cover landscaping?
A standard homeowners insurance policy may not cover landscaping services that you enlist for general lawn and yard upkeep. However, according to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurance can cover the expenses accrued when hiring landscapers to remedy exterior damage caused by fires, disasters or other occurrences. Check your policy language carefully or contact your independent agent before you agree to hire a contractor.
*Yelp is a registered trademark of Yelp, Inc.
*Angie’s List is a registered trademark of Angie’s List, Inc.
*HomeAdvisor is a registered trademark of HomeAdvisor, Inc.
So how do you go about finding the right contractor for your landscaping needs? Maybe you have a family member, friend or co-worker who knows a reliable one and will share the information. But chances are you'll have to search on your own. You'll also want to be assured of the company's qualifications and find out if (and how) your own insurance comes into play.
Search the internet
You can find just about anything on the internet. But when looking for a landscaping contractor, searching the web becomes particularly important. Landscapers don’t traditionally advertise on TV or via radio, so the web can be the best place to look.
General business review websites such as Yelp* can be a great start. Also, all the major search engines will provide user-submitted reviews and ratings when you type in "landscaping contractor" or a similar search term. For more detailed listings, though, sites like Angie's List* or HomeAdvisor*, which focus specifically on the landscaping and home-improvement industries are a possible resource. These and similar websites only advertise businesses that have undergone background checks.
Verify their qualifications
Regardless of how you find your landscaping contractor, you'll want to make sure that the business has certain bona fides. HomeAdvisor recommends finding out if the company has all necessary licenses and if it's bonded and insured. The latter aspect can be crucial. If the contractor isn't insured, you might be left empty-handed for any damage caused to your property in the event of a job-related accident.
It's also wise to have the landscaper draw up a written contract detailing the work to be done, and make sure you receive your own copy. In the worst-case scenario of a legal dispute between you and the business, you'll have documentation to fall back on.
Does insurance cover landscaping?
A standard homeowners insurance policy may not cover landscaping services that you enlist for general lawn and yard upkeep. However, according to the Insurance Information Institute, homeowners insurance can cover the expenses accrued when hiring landscapers to remedy exterior damage caused by fires, disasters or other occurrences. Check your policy language carefully or contact your independent agent before you agree to hire a contractor.
*Yelp is a registered trademark of Yelp, Inc.
*Angie’s List is a registered trademark of Angie’s List, Inc.
*HomeAdvisor is a registered trademark of HomeAdvisor, Inc.
