Having a beautiful lawn filled with blooming flowers, stonepath brick work, and water features can be appealing, but it can take a lot of work and be a tricky project. With the fall in full swing, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Mainland BC & Yukon is prepared with several tips you can use to find the perfect landscaper for your fall project.
Nearly 20 times more than original fee
A Delta, B.C., woman in her late 60s hired a landscaping company to remove her concrete patio due to cracking and lifting in October 2022. The initial quote was a $250 deposit to start the work. However, more than two weeks after jackhammering had begun, the landscaper claimed that more work was needed without providing visible proof and offered a new estimate that included potential drain tile replacement. This estimate required an additional $4,825, which the woman agreed to, with the condition that some work would be pushed into early 2023, due to her personal budget. Concerns arose when the landscaper rented a large excavator, causing potential damage to the woman’s yard and sprinkler system, instead of following the manual work described in the initial quote. Shortly after, the landscaper attempted to use the machine but failed, leading him to revert to manual labor as originally quoted. Finally, the woman found a second opinion from three reputable contractors, who collectively agreed that heavy machinery was unnecessary. She immediately canceled the contract, but was left with the short end of the stick, asking the landscaper to pay her a refund of $3,400, as some work had been completed already. The landscaper only offered to refund her $1900, leaving the woman without any recourse.
"When you're hiring someone to do a big job, such as landscaping your property, it's very important to get scope of work required and price from different companies," says BBB spokesperson Aaron Guillen. "You shouldn't just go with the first person who answers your call, because they might not be the best choice. Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened in this situation, and it ended up costing a lot of money."
Tips to find the right landscaper
Work with trustworthy businesses
- The best way to avoid losing money through a bad vendor is by doing your research before you make your purchase. BBB.org is a vital resource to ensure you find trusted and vetted businesses who display the Sign of a Better Business. Working with businesses found here can help you avoid falling for scams, fraud, and unprofessional business owners.
Ask for a yard inspection
- Services that quote a price without seeing your yard cannot be sure what your space might need. Businesses will sometimes charge you to discuss specific landscaping ideas to protect themselves against clients who want to get their ideas and implement them themselves. They often credit you for the initial fee if you contract with the business. Use BBB's Get-A-Quote function to see how much you should be budgeting for the project.
Get everything in writing
- Make sure the contract contains all topics discussed and promises made, as well as timelines and payment schedules. Document the duration and expected results of the service. Some consumers are unaware that contracts can be open-ended, meaning they renew until the client specifically terminates. Ensure you understand how your contract works and how you could cancel if needed. The contract should list the quantity, size, and types of materials. Look for guarantees and refund policies. Some services may offer a guarantee of performance. Others may offer refunds if they fail to meet your expectations. Get copies of anything you sign. Handshake agreements are not legally binding.
Ask for references and pictures of other jobs they installed or maintained
- If possible, visit these locations to get a first-hand view of the quality of their work. Ask the references about their experiences before, during, and after the work was done.
Have a clear scope of work and ask any questions you have before the contract is signed
- Are you paying for a specific project or ongoing maintenance? Many businesses allow you to pay after each treatment and may offer a discount if you pay the annual cost upfront. What happens if it rains the day someone is supposed to come to mow your lawn? Does mowing include edging? Find out what happens if you have a problem between contracts. Will the service calls be free, or is there a charge? If you are maintaining the landscaping yourself, ask for detailed instructions and be prepared to follow them.
