What To Look For In A Landscape Contractor

This bears mentioning as I reset this post owing to the time of year……

In rereading this I became struck with how the inherent ‘selfish gene’ can overwhelm a blog based on the author’s own life experiences. In describing potential contractors below – in more places than I care to edit – I have omitted the growing number of females in this huge field – and their unquestioned successes. Not just as designers but also as workers in the field, females produce some serious work. It’s topical and all these days, I realize, as we consider female roles in the military. Just the same, I guess there are reasons for both. I just want to somehow apologize and insert some good hypocritical golf clapping. 😉 (Feb 24, 2013)

This is a re-posting of something I wrote as a very, very informal guide to assessing and choosing a landscape contractor. These sorts of articles I feel bear more forcefully on issues of merit – the meaty end of landscaping and finding out who is good and how most contractors wish or hope you will behave as a client.

I also believe stuff like this – the realities of the contracting profession – are why many people actually check in here.

As the economy recovers – sigh, no matter how slowly – there will be a few more folks who want to do landscaping around their properties. Indeed, there are commercial clients as well – local businesses – who decide to make their places more appealing by taking advantage of the newest technologies to update water features, lighting and a true myriad of startling technologies which have continued to develop even while our overall economy drooped. Incredible new pumps, LED lighting and the machines to install the work have had geniuses scrambling and producing amazing stuff. All somewhat cheaper, better and more “Green”.

It leads us back to the raging questions raised during the economic peak we endured just prior to the recent “collapse” and real estate nightmare. At the time, many potential clients for landscaping were searching for clues to who to trust and how to conduct a more thorough, value-laden relationship with designers and installers of landscapes who would be trustworthy and artistically able to provide the expertise and wherewithal to implement their hopes into tangible, rewarding results.

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In busy periods, contractors are infamous for many things which become typical and almost, (in their defense) unavoidable. Time issues are among the primary worries they have. Notifying people that they might be late to an appointment, or maybe not coming at all is certainly one of the primary sources of exasperation for potential clients and, yes, it is unforgivable. However, Time, for the contractor, is everything and some handle it better than others. I was once told that by simply answering the telephone, it would be the best method of acquiring work. It turned out they were very nearly 100% correct.

I suppose I am beginning with a caveat which is probably not all that smart.

Make no mistake………… Promptness, for the record, is still an asset. It always has been and always will be. It ranks up there with manners as exemplary conditions under which to enjoy other people. It goes without saying – and particularly in this age of instant communications and cheap phones, that I – personally – would always try and alert someone to my progress on making an appointment. And especially an Initial Meeting. My charge here is to mention that violating the time issue for an appointment has some hidden value and a perverse sort of counter-intuitive sense.

If, for example, the contractor is busy, the chances are very good it’s because he is in demand. Furthermore, I know for myself that the client I now have and am working for absolutely precedes in importance the next client, no matter who it might be. Naturally, these are always a part of any businessman’s milieu – this little dilemma represents dealing with real problems on multiple levels. Needless to say, those contractors who, like myself, actually also do the work are more of what we are referring to in this example.

In short, if there is a thorny and intensely-involving problem, I do my best to focus 100% on it. This can include forgetting absolutely everything and making sure the current client gets satisfied. But enough of this.

(click any image to enlarge – even twice)

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Here, then, are a few “for what it’s worth” rules, some etched in stone, some not, when you consider hiring a guy to come in, make a huge mess and completely take over the land around you:

1. In the states where it applies (and this is your very minimal onus to find out), make sure he has a state contractor’s license, first and foremost. Does he/she have references? From clients? Did you check them? You should.

2. Another rather primary consideration would be acquiring other bids, from other contractors. I say this although there are times when the eyeball test and a client’s intuitions can over rule this, based on many other factors, including reputation. But the standard in any industry is to get 3 bids.

3. Does he or she work with you? If a homeowner has ideas of their own, I always treat that as half the battle in terms of design. It makes my job easier, not harder, when someone has a notion and a concept of what they want. Plus, you can feel more involved, as a client, literally designing your own place.

4. Do you have a budget? This matters hugely. It does not pay to set a budget then try and work underneath it. What works best, ultimately, is to design a wished-for scenario/environment, have the guy work on it at home, then get back about what he thinks it might cost, ballpark. At least, that’s my normal modus operandii. If indeed, it appears your budget will work, and if, by some lucky stroke of nature or your own brainpower, your original budgeting leaves you extra money, Great!

5. Typical pay schedules: I typically do the following: 50% up front, 25% at the midway point on larger projects, then the final 25% at the conclusion of the job………when satisfied! Another approach I have used divides the contract by thirds. 33% up front, 1/3 halfway through, then the final 33% on satisfactory completion. There is a reason for all this. Typical costs for doing landscaping work involve enormous up front expenses. Soil, bricks, water stuff, pumps – in short, nearly everything except for plants and grass occur almost immediately upon entering the project. And this omits such other costs as payroll, machines/tool rentals and the rest, many of which are specialized to landscaping for most-specific tasks. Let me be clear – no one gains from stressing a tradesman’s ability to purchase products for your project by using his own money for your project. It happens, of course – far more often than people think – but when there is a level of comfort in all directions, a project proceeds about 90% smoother, faster and more professionally.

And who wouldn’t want to pay this guy?

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A landscaper’s references will depend, in the end, on how happy or upset he left his client when all was said and done. At times, the gnarly little details can derail everyone’s satisfaction. Landscapers should meet this reality head-on. It’s why they ask for more than just what the gig costs, after all. Pleasing a finicky client is not a problem for the best at what they do. And – to any client or potential client – Do not be afraid to mention small things. They are also a part of the job. Being aware has never been a crime that I know of. The music to a landscaper’s ear, and, yes, I have heard this, is the following: “We knew it would be pretty, but we had no idea it would be this beautiful!” This is what happens when all things proceed with a relationship based on respect.

6. I have mixed some stuff together, but hope it becomes clear that professionalism is not an option in this trade. It is an absolute must. It is an expensive trade, often following the rules of anywhere from 5% to 15% of the value of a house. This is serious money. If you have a bad feeling about someone related to his professionalism or lack thereof, then do NOT use him. A person can be casual without being sloppy.

7. Sign a contract. No if’s and’s or but’s. Make sure the language is crystal clear and you should have zero problems.

8. Check progress. There is nothing worse than a landscape contractor realizing 90% into a project that the client is not happy with something. If there is an item missing, a troubled client needs to make it known. We expect, as contractors, to hear these things from clients. Alas, we are not perfect either. I wish I had a buck for every client who saved me by mentioning a problem he was having and, ahem, thought maybe I had forgotten about, say, the garden sculpture. Or the, um, grass, heh heh.  😉

Conversely, when a client realizes that perhaps the design they both agreed to does somehow just plain not work, a few words with the contractor right away might just rescue things. Landscaping can be very fluid – the realities on the ground can become problematic with some weird events – the discovery of underground cables, a huge boulder impossible to move, etc –  so do not hesitate to ask questions or offer opinions. The contractor may ask you as well, of course, about adjustments owing to these events. Be flexible and creative. In the end, as ever – The only dumb question is the one not asked.

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9. Remember this: (I tell every single client I have the following words:) “Landscaping is 80% preparation and 20% finishing. ” There will be an unholy mess, with machines moving dirt all over and mud and seeming chaos. It is what we referred to as a ‘Beirut of the 70’s’. Fear not. We know what’s up. Longer projects can be exasperatingly dusty or dirty. Just remember how the final result will make one feel. A bit of patience here is called for and very much appreciated.

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It’ll get there………promise!

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In the end, we’re looking for something to feel wonderful about. It is possible, too.

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If you can somehow enjoy the process, you may have met someone you like. This is also possible.

More importantly, both you and the contractor can be equally thrilled at a good result. At the very best of times, people like him live for this stuff.

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More On The Daily Grind Of Landscaping

I got this mail from Tim Simon Hall of Australia: Hi, Steve, I’m from Sydney, Aus. I have mates in landscaping and other trades but the landscapers say it is the hardest job going and they often get life long injuries early. Is this the case and how do they prevent this? I’m a police officer and my boy is almost old enough to start thinking about the future. I want him to do a trade and I can sure see the art in landscaping. what can you tell us? Thanks!

First of all, thanks, Tim, for noticing this little corner of the working world. I will be delighted to answer your questions. I have dealt with some aspects of safety in other posts in here, but I understand how dense the blog has become, so it’s not necessarily easy referencing them in here. Dealing with your question also gives me an opportunity to deal more specifically with job site safety.

Job Site Safety – Machinery

The first element of safety concerns involve respect for items bigger than us. No matter the brilliant injury-free track record of a machine operator, any time a large machine enters our projects, one needs to understand the reach and predicted patterns of its travel and work. Even the afore-mentioned operator cannot see behind him. Indeed, the blind spots in a large machine grow proportionately to the machine size. Bottom line? Workers and helpers not intimately involved with the chores of the machine always need to maintain a wide berth. These excavators, back hoes, bulldozers and Bobcats are solid steel, heavy as they can be and utterly lethal in the potential impact with the human frame. In fact, an operator may not realize there even was an impact if such were to occur.

My instructions to new people are to give a completely wide berth to these labor-saving devices. Understanding the reach and potential injury radius of any machine under power on a job site is absolutely vital, not only to prevent injuries, but to literally survive impact with these behemoths.

Below is a look at just 2 of the machines which have become the landscaper’s very best friend. Unseen is a Bobcat/Skid steer machine which was used concurrently. Not only is this a lot of noise on a project, but it is also one cluster of danger for the unwary.

Have I had incidents where I struck workers while operating? Yes, I have. I once had a new guy stroll to where I was excavating for a pond and come within the radius of where I was excavating, then circling 180 degrees to put the overburden into a truck. As I took my loaded bucket in its circle, whipping it with some speed, my worker walked exactly into the arc and he got nailed. I had slowed it down as I noticed him, but the momentum struck him and knocked him about 10 feet in the air onto the ground. I shut the machine down in a cold sweat and rushed over to him, where there were the other guys. Imagine my relief when he batted his eyes, focusing, and smiled and mentioned he was sorry he got in the way. My relief was palpable, needless to say. I gave him the day off with pay, partly because seeing him reminded me of how close that call was and partly because he was an excellent working guy who had got confused about where he was. It was the closest to a job site fatality that I ever experienced. I sweat when I even relate this story.

Parts Of The Body By Injury

Next, there are indeed secrets to staying healthy, some of which are common sense and some of which may not be. Typical injuries in landscaping involve just a few very predictable areas of the body, foremost among which is the back.

The back is this fulcrum around which the entirety of lifting revolves. The physics of lifting require hands strong enough to hold onto an object. It requires also the legs and a pair of knees which can bend and support the weight of the object being lifted. Finally, the back supplies the resistance to nearly the entire weight being addressed, acting as a fulcrum. It is a complete truism in landscaping – and one of the very first lessons a safety coordinator gives out to a new guy – that, in lifting, one uses the power of legs to rise and not by bending the back. Relying on the back for lifting, as opposed to securing a good grip, keeping a completely straight back and using the legs and knees to rise, is a dangerous mistake. The length of the muscles of the back insure problems that denser muscle groups such as those on the arms and legs offer will happen if misused.

The back must always stay straight. There is no other advice which could be more straightforward or relevant. If you watch an Olympic Weightlifting Event, keep your eye on the back of no matter who is competing. At every stage, it straightens more as the weight shifts its height. The “action” is not in the back. The “action” of lifting is in other muscle groups, more importantly the legs.

The Legs

Which brings us to the legs and feet. The science of lifting, as well as the science of repetitive movement such as shoveling or running wheelbarrows – chores which can last an entire 8 hour work day – is not just the science of depressing work. 😉

It is what the landscaping trade so often consists of. No matter how many labor-saving machines we may have on a project, we will always find corners and hard-to-get-to areas which require individual effort to address. Bear in mind as well the sad existence of Murphy’s Law -“If something can go wrong, it probably will.”

Machines break down, almost always at the worst possible times. On a project requiring a time limit for finishing, this can and sometimes does imply a different form of labor in the guise of incredibly demanding and hard work. So we find ourselves faced with abundant material needing placement on a project with nothing other than our smiling faces, some wheelbarrows and shovels to make it happen. In case one wonders, this means using a shovel or tool to load the wheelbarrows, loading them, then taking the wheelbarrow on whatever wild ride is required to place the material where it goes.

The Shovel

The single most ubiquitous item in the tool arsenal of landscaping is the good old shovel. We do everything with it – excavate, fill, smooth out, chip away and we load our wheelbarrows with them. They also come in a variety of shapes, designed for all these different uses.

Describing the uses of all the various shapes of shovels is delightful but less than useful here. The single most important aspect of the active verb: “shoveling” involves safety because “shoveling” carries some dangers. Especially considering the repetition involved in almost any incremental shoveling project, we reach the logic that only proper usage will take one through a full day without suffering injury.

Once again, the single most important safety factor of any shoveling exercise involves keeping the back straight. Of all injuries in landscaping, this is by far the most common. Correct technique of shoveling means bending the knees and using them for reach and loading purposes. The repetitive nature of using shovels will inevitably locate the weakest point and cause pain at that spot when it becomes somewhat dangerous. If one’s back gets this message, it may be time to re-learn the approach and adapt to a better structural approach. At no time is it cool at all to bend the back in order to lift or load. Once this sinks in and a process is discovered allowing the back to do its work appropriately  a major lesson in primary landscaping is understood.

The Benefits Of Safety And The Work itself

In logging, there is a saying among fallers of those gigantic trees out West: “There are only old loggers and young loggers.” What this implies is the career-ending nature of the injuries available to such a high risk trade. I mean, you have “widow-makers” – those snags or dead branches which a shaking tree breaks loose, cascading 400 pounds of branch downwards at a frightening and sometimes silent trip onto our erstwhile faller. You also have misbehaving chain saws which can call for carrying our friend out of a forest in time to apply the 200 plus stitches it takes to repair a leg or stomach which encountered a recently sharpened flying chain at 150 MPH. Not pretty.

Well, the good news is that landscaping is not that scary. Yes, the worker’s compensation rates tend to be a bit higher than that of an office worker, based on real history. But there are young, middle and old landscapers.

The virtues of hard work are always obvious. I suspect we humans get our justifications of so many verities from sheer hard work. We are proud not only of what we make, in landscaping, but we are also proud of our teams who accomplish the feats of construction. We are also strong as hell.

The health benefits of the trade are, frankly, many-fold. But, hey, it’s not for everyone. There is much drudgery and repetitive work in this trade. We can very much hate the day on the job. Looking at a pile the size of Texas and knowing today we will move that, 1/7th of a yard at a time is some depressing futurism. And yet, as I have mentioned many times, going home after a day of accomplishing just that has hidden rewards which others can only guess at. The endorphin level is out the roof. You get high, working like this. Plus, it’s all natural! No one is arresting a happy landscaper. The great solid and good feeling of leaving a day’s work back on the job is literally biochemical and naturally so. Consistent hard work brings a region and width of literal felt pleasure many people will never understand.

Thus, not only do we get the manifold pleasure of experiencing in depth rewards, biochemically on a felt level, we also develop the rewards of seeing a physical project take shape and then, wonderfully, complete itself through our efforts. We arrive at a lasting monument of physical accomplishment which has its own reward – nor is it small.