BBB Chief Exective Jim WinsettQ: We are ready to start working in the yard, but this year we would also like to make a dedicated patio area – which is a little more work than our usual yard cleanup. We would like to hire a lawn contractor to help out. Does the BBB have tips on hiring one?
A: An attractive yard adds value to a home, and to assist in designing a functional, inviting landscape, many people enlist the services of a professional.
If you are hiring a lawn service company for the season, make sure you and the lawn service have clear, written expectations for what the company will provide for the agreed-upon fees. Consumers can save themselves a lot of hassle by considering their budget and any deadlines they have for completing a project. Before you call any landscape professional, it is a good idea to conceive your own basic design for your yard space and make a list of questions you would like to ask the contractor.
The Better Business Bureau offers the following tips when deciding on hiring a landscaping contractor:
• Ask for suggestions. Talk to friends, family members, or neighbors whose landscape you admire for recommendations. Check out landscapers in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia at Chattanooga.bbb.org to find one that is accredited, in good standing, and has little to no complaints. Understand the specific landscaping job that must be done and look for landscapers that are well versed or specialized with the type of work needed.