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The ads and business cards seem to propagate
hourly with the same enticing titles: “Xeric”
Landscaping Services; “Sustainable” Garden
Design; or “We do ‘Permaculture’ design AND Xeric
installation.” Wow! It all sounds so, so organic and
GREEN. And that can sometimes be the hook to pull
your greenbacks into a big black spending hole.
Anyone can list the words
“xeric,” “sustainable” or “permaculture” on a
brochure, business card or website. So how do you,
the unsuspecting or newly transplanted homeowner,
decide to trust someone to transform all that rock and
plastic into something aesthetically pleasing?
Finding an ethical and competent landscape contractor
may be as simple as asking your neighbors or coworkers.
Referrals are the very best way to locate
anything. If referrals are lacking, let me offer a few
points to help you sort out the more reliable garden
and landscaping companies from the weekend weedwhackers.
One: Do they know the seven principles of permaculture?
Or the seven principles of xeric design and
the five components of sustainability in the landscape?
Better yet can you? Many landscape contractors
learn on the job and through continuing education.
Ask about their training and the longevity of
their company. But if you don’t know what these
terms mean, how can you tell if they are doing what
they advertise?
Two: Decide what you want to accomplish with
your landscape. Define your budget knowing you can
do more later on. Stick to it and the company you hire
should work WITH you not throw larger and larger
numbers at you to brow beat you into agreeing to
their price... and their design.
Three: Design it yourself first. Make a simple rough
draft. Note what is already there that you like and
what you want changed. What is the overall feeling
you need when you’re outside? Need to block out
unsightly house next door? Too much rock? (ALWAYS
a problem in new development.) No irrigation or inappropriate
system? Make lists of plants, trees, veggies,
herbs. And don’t be in a hurry. Often it’s better to do a
little at a time rather than all of it at once.
Four: Get at least three written,
detailed estimates before you commit
to one. The estimate should list all
the plant materials to be installed
including number and size and where
the material will be purchased. It
should list the time to completion.
The estimate should also note any
soil amendments they recommend or
other products they will use during
the installation. Compare prices on
plants and supplies on your own.
Know what these items cost before
you contract.
Five: Ask about a contractor’s license, liability and
workman’s comp insurance. Check their license to
make sure it’s in good standing and the Better
Business Bureau for outstanding complaints or suits.
(According to the BBB, landscape contractors were
NOT in the list of top five complaints for 2005, so
that’s good news.)
Six: Ask to visit some of the projects they have done
and speak to the owners if possible.
Seven: Review the contract which should include all
items proposed in the estimate along with changes
agreed on. Visit the nurseries with the contractor to
view plant choices. Ask if the plants are warranted.
Some are, some aren’t. Does the contract provide
information on the type of irrigation work to be
done, a full disclosure of how to operate it or how
often the company will service it, how frequently the
emitters/bubblers or drippers need to be checked,
repaired or moved as the plant grows? GOOD companies
will do this for you. Insist on understanding
the watering system and the plant’s requirements
before you write the check.
Eight: Agree on a deposit. This provides for the purchase
of materials, supplies and renting equipment if
necessary. The remainder should be paid at the satisfactory
completion of the contract.
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