The New Year always brings fresh optimism and inspiration and continuing a landscape renovation is one of the most fulfilling ways to make that happen. Even minor changes to a landscape can have a huge impact on both your perception of the home as well as on the outdoor living experience and success often hinges on working with the right pros. In 2022, will you be making big changes to your outdoor spaces? Here’s how to choose the right landscaping company near Smithtown and Oyster Bay, NY.
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The First Look
No reputable company these days will be lacking a decent presence on either a website or on social media. Most consumers look online first. The information you can get without leaving your house or picking up a phone will give you an idea of what kind of people you’re dealing with. Great website design says a lot about the care a company puts into their work. Here are some aspects to check.
Clear Information
The landing page should immediately let you know exactly what the company does (pool installation and landscape maintenance may or may not be available in a single company). Contact information should be prominent, and the site navigation should be easy. There will also be a few teaser photos to give a few examples of their work and exactly what they do.
You should be able to identify a company’s niche within a few seconds. Landscaping is fluid work that always depends on the individual property and wishes of the homeowner, so don’t expect to see either fixed prices or estimates here. Instead, there will be a clear delineation of what kind of services the company offers.
Examples of Previous Completed Jobs
Every experienced landscaping company will have some examples of previous completed jobs posted on their website, often interlaid with pertinent information about the project. They should have pride in what they have accomplished and be more than willing to show it off. Once a company has your interest, you can request to see actual job sites, even if all you can do is drive by.
Verifiable Reviews
While it’s impossible to put full trust into every online review, it’s always good to check the tone of these reviews. If a company only posts perfect five star reviews, there’s good reason to be suspicious of their trustworthiness. A company that prides itself in satisfaction and growth will post reviews that offer some criticism as well. What’s most important is the way the company handles dissatisfied customers.
Initial Communication
The initial contact that you make with a landscaping company speaks so much to their level of professionalism and service. Once you call, you should expect a timely response. If they’re slow in getting back to you, you can bet the company will be hard to reach in the future. This becomes especially troubling when problems arise.
Local Word of Mouth
Take a trip to your local landscape supply store. Apart from finding various landscaping supplies you may need for smaller jobs, you’ll likely find information about the quality of a landscaping company you’re considering hiring. It’s highly likely that a local landscape supply store will have experience with the owner and the company employees.
Also ask neighbors whose landscapes you admire. These are real customers who can give you a more objective and more in-depth assessment of their entire experience with a landscaping company.
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