You can hire the best landscaper in the business, but without the right communication between the two of you, it is entirely possible that you won't be happy with the service you're receiving.
If you simply want a glorified lawn mower, this may not ever be an issue.
If you hire someone with a set list of duties and a schedule, it is really down to whether or not you hire competent, reliable help.
If you want more than that, however, you need to open the lines of communication and make sure you're getting what you want out of the deal.
There are several things you can do to make sure this happens.
References You can avoid making a mistake right out of the box by hiring a landscaper that comes with references.
If you've been in business for any length of time, you should have both current and past clients willing to go on record about your fine service.
If a professional in the field cannot provide any such references, you may wish to look elsewhere.
Go a step further.
Call those references.
Make sure these aren't just friends he set up to get him more work.
Check in with your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau to see if any disgruntled customers have left a complaint.
You're better off knowing now what to expect.
Open Communication If you want more than a mowed lawn and a trimmed hedge line, you need to open the lines of communication with your landscaper.
Never "assume.
" Nail down specifics about what you want out of the relationship and what you expect out of their work.
If they don't know what you want, they have no way of meeting your expectations.
If you aren't happy with the work they are doing, they'll have no way of improving if you don't tell them about your dissatisfaction.
These seem like simple concepts, but they are often missed.
Communicate frequently and you'll be much happier with the results.
Collaborate Unless you have a degree in lawn maintenance or a very specific dream of how you want your property to look, find a landscaper with whom you can collaborate.
Give them your ideas and see what they come back with.
Ask them to be open about their recommendations and advice.
You may see that what you had planned is unrealistic or that there is a better way to go about achieving the aesthetic you want.
A professional landscaper should have plenty of experience and wisdom to share when it comes to planning out a property's appearance.