We asked Adam Bromby, Director of Customer Services at the New Driveway Company, to share his inside tips to help avoid financial loss and suffering at the hands of unscrupulous contractors.
Let’s face it, the landscaping industry hasn’t enjoyed the best reputation and there is a plague of cowboys that continue to cause pain and heartbreak to homeowners.
How to choose the best landscaping contractor
Firstly, when searching for a landscaping contractor, ask friends and relatives who have had work done or look at local homes and ask who was involved and whether they had a positive experience. However, be cautious – your friends and family are not experts and just because something looks nice doesn’t mean that it’s well built.
Beyond friends and family you will probably turn to the internet. Randomly contacting the first companies that pop up isn’t a good strategy and will be a waste your time and theirs. When you view a company’s website there are a couple of things that I would consider red flags:
- Is the company landline contact number clearly displayed on their website? Be wary of contractors with only a mobile number or an 0800 number.
- Company registration numbers, VAT numbers and a business address will also give you some confidence that the trader is legitimate.
You can take this one step further by searching the Companies House website to see how long have they been trading. It is common practice for unscrupulous traders to simply vanish overnight and start trading under a different name in order to escape their liabilities and obligations.
If you do this initial due diligence you should be able to identify two or three companies that inspire your confidence. At this point you can call or submit an enquiry. It’s important to be able to communicate easily with your contractor so notice how quickly they respond to your enquiries or pick up the phone. Do they appear responsive, professional and helpful?
Most businesses will have social media accounts (Google, Facebook etc), where previous customers have posted reviews so check what their customer testimonials are like.
How to choose the best landscaping contractor – key assurances
There are a few key questions you should ask on the telephone or during your meeting;
- How busy are they? Good landscapers are in high demand and usually booked up for months in advance, so be cautious of the company that can start immediately. Bear this in mind when planning your project – for instance, if you’re looking for something to enjoy in time for the Spring.
- Do they guarantee their work?
- How long will the work take? A contractor who works alone and takes three weeks to build your drive could potentially cause you a lot of inconvenience.
- Can they show you some of their previous work? It may be difficult to hand out previous customers’ names and addresses, but they should at least have some pictures and case studies to show you.
- Do they carry public liability and contracts work insurance? This is essential in case the contractor causes any accidental damage to people or your property during the work.
- Do they produce designs? You probably wouldn’t buy a kitchen or bathroom without seeing a plan first. Having a design as part of the contract cuts any ambiguity over what the contractor is going to provide during the work.
- Ask how they will manage the disruption to you and your neighbours. As an example, we bring all of our own welfare facilities (toilet, generators, kettle, etc) to the site. We want to cause as little disturbance to our customers as possible.
A face-to-face meeting
At this stage a landscaper will typically offer to set up an appointment. You should always meet your contractor face-to-face as it’s a great opportunity to get a better feel for the company. Someone turning up in an old, rusty & untidy vehicle may be a reflection of their general standards.
You aren’t looking for a best friend, but things don’t always go to plan during projects, so consider whether you could resolve problems reasonably and amicably with your contractor.
Within a few days of your meetings you should have 2 or 3 quotes and some gut feelings about your landscapers. Bear in mind that lowest price rarely means best. The differences will be largely down to the quality of materials, craftsmen and the company’s reputation. I have seen many cases of contractors under-pricing jobs and then cutting corners, or coming back to the customer for more money later, or simply leaving the site when they realise the job is a loss-maker.
You should gauge whether the contractor is listening to your issues and offering helpful, creative solutions. Under no circumstances should you feel under pressure to make instant decisions, feel uncomfortable asking contractors questions or discussing your needs.
What’s on offer?
Next, review their terms and conditions. Having a good contract in place means that you have a legal document that relates to the quote, which is essential in the event of any dispute. When it comes to handing over deposits, be wary of companies asking for full or large payments up front. It may give you some indication of the company’s solvency.
That’s how to choose the best landscaping contractor. You are going to invest a significant amount of money into your driveway or landscaping, so take your time, do your research and ensure you get the quality, service and results that you deserve.
Adam Bromby – Director of Customer Services – New Driveway Company
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