If you’re getting ready for a whole bunch of new landscaping plants at your house, you’re really excited.
You can’t wait to have your plants installed.
But please wait, just a minute. A bunch of new plants is a big deal. You should ask landscapers some questions before you sign that contract.
Here are some great questions to ask landscapers before they install new plants.
1. Do You Have a Landscape Designer on Staff?
We can hear you way over here: “Why do I need a landscape designer?”
So many reasons. For one thing, they’ll answer all your questions. Here are some common questions people have about landscape design in Orlando, FL.
- Do I have enough room for a palm tree? (The petite Roebelenii Date Palm is perfect for tight spots where you want a tropical punch.)
- Is there a flowering shrub that will work as a hedge? (You bet. Try Ixora ‘Nora Grant’ with clusters of tubular flowers in vivid pink.)
- What plants are good for around the pool? (Crotons, Bromeliads, Xanadu Philodendron.)
See? It really helps to have a skilled, licensed landscape designer to help walk you through it all. Not all landscapers in Orlando, FL have one on staff.
A designer will show you why one third of your yard should be planting beds and two-thirds should be lawn.
They know what plants make a mess, what plants are great as privacy screens, what plants will soon outgrow their spot and waste your money.
They know their stuff, and will bring things to your attention that you’d never think of yourself.
2. Will You Give Me a Detailed Proposal?
When it comes to contracts, the more details, the better. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises.
What exactly will your landscape design look like?
What plants, shrubs, and trees are included?
Don’t sign until you have a full understanding of exactly what you’re getting from Orlando, FL landscapers.
3. Do You Use #1 Plants?
Another question to ask a landscaper is if they use #1 plants.
Florida Grades and Standards for Nursery Stock was designed to improve the quality of plant material reaching job sites by rating them based on quality.
Plants designated by them as #1 are automatically high quality. Don’t settle for less.
4. Do You Install and Maintain Irrigation?
Here in Orlando, your healthy new plants will only stay healthy and beautiful if you have top notch irrigation.
Your landscape design plan and your irrigation system design go hand in hand, so it makes sense to hire Orlando landscapers that can both install your beautiful landscaping and offer the best irrigation system to make sure they thrive.
5. What Does Your Plant Installation Bid Include?
Ask for every detail. You don’t want to be surprised by extra fees.
At Ground Source, our plant installation bid includes:
- Preparation of planting beds
- New plants
- Labor
- Disposal fees
- Repairing irrigation damaged during removal of old plants. Sometimes when we remove old plants and shrubs that have been in the ground for a while, we discover the roots have grown around the pipes in the ground, and the pipes are broken in order to remove them.
6. Can You Give Me Some References?
The best landscapers in Orlando, FL are proud of their work and their reputation and are happy to put you in touch with satisfied customers.
If they balk, that’s a red flag. What are they hiding?
And do they have plenty of great reviews on Google? If not, there may be a reason.
7. Do You Offer a Warranty on Plants?
Of course, the plan is that your new plants will grow and thrive. But if they don’t, what will your landscaper offer? You should always ask a landscaper about warranties.
Here at Ground Source, we offer a one year warranty from the date of installation, provided payment has been made in full upon completion of your project.
The warranty excludes situations outside of our control, including freeze, drought, over-watering, and wind damage, among others. The warranty doesn’t cover insect or disease damage if there is no cure, such as Fusarium Wilt or the Palm Weevil, to name a couple. These two, among others, can travel from a neighboring tree on your property or within your neighborhood, and once your tree has this there is no cure..
The customer must maintain a regular shrub care program with a licensed fertilization company for the period of one year to ensure damaging insects and disease are kept to a minimum.
The customer must also contact us immediately upon noticing any problems with any plants so that we can be proactive in ensuring we fix the problem before it damages other plants.
8. Do You Install More Than Plants?
There's more to a landscaping project than just plants.
A landscape redo can include a fresh new sod lawn. An irrigation system to keep your growing things healthy. A cozy fire pit. A shady pergola. Maybe accent lighting to make it all glow after sunset and offer a sense of luxury. 
Do you want to have to deal with a whole handful of different companies to get your dream yard? Not all Orlando landscapers are full-service landscaping experts.
We can help you with the total package. That’s the beauty of working with a full-service landscaping company.
We’re with you from that first glimmer of an idea at your kitchen table until you’re ready for your first backyard barbecue.
Pondering Plants? Trust Your Landscaping to Ground Source
When you start asking Orlando landscapers questions about your planting contract, don’t forget to ask us. You’ll like our answers.
We’re plant experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you can’t wait to come home to.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
