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How (And Why) To Hire A Gardening Company

It can be a daunting task to find and hire a gardening company to maintain your garden, lawns, and green spaces. Gardens are personal spaces that many of us have put a lot of thought, love, time, care, and backbreaking sweat equity into. There are many different gardening companies out there. At first glance, they might all look similar and seem to offer the same thing, but at different rates. It’s confusing.

We’re here to help. Here are some tips, questions, and advice to use when researching what gardening company you want to work with.

How (And Why) To Hire A Gardening Company

Ask yourself why you are looking for a gardening company.

Whether you’re a new homeowner or have lived in your home for years, but need help because it’s too much work, too hard, you’re too busy or have no idea where to begin, hiring a professional gardening company can help. Here’s how:

1. Get gardening knowledge and experience

Professional gardeners with horticultural and landscaping knowledge and experience set you (and your plants) up for success. The right gardening company can offer solutions and options to improve your garden space. For instance, they can advise you on what gardening tasks need to be done in your garden specifically––and when and how to do them.

2. Enjoy your garden again

Hiring a gardening company to maintain your garden, lawn, and green spaces means that you can enjoy the outdoors again. You’re busy and have enough on your plate to stress about upkeep and endless garden tasks. By bringing in a gardener to clean up and maintain your garden, you can focus on what you like to do.

3. Save money, time, and effort and reduce your stress in the long run

It’s amazing how quickly a garden can get out of control. Without regular maintenance and diligence, invasive species like blackberries and ivy can creep in and take over. Once they take hold of your garden, it’s a longer and more challenging fight to get rid of them or keep them at bay.

Likewise, if any diseases or pests are developing, then you may have to remove plants and replace them altogether. This can be costly, especially if the plant is well-established. But, with a few hours of regular garden maintenance, a gardener can detect these issues sooner before they become an expensive, big problem.

How (And Why) To Hire A Gardening Company

Checklist: What to look for in a great gardening company

Here’s our gardening company checklist:

What services do you need versus what they offer?

  • Check out their website: do they offer the exact services you require?
  • Are there Google Reviews? (What are your neighbours saying—good or bad things?)
  • Check out their social media: Do they inspire you and mirror what you want your garden to look like?

What do the company and employees value and care about?

Check out their ‘About Us’ and ‘Employment’ webpages: Does it give you any insight into the company values and mission?

  • What do they care about?
  • How much knowledge and experience will the employees bring to the table?
  • Are they passionate about gardening?
  • Do they care about the work they’re doing?
  • Will they do a great job?

What is your budget and how do the gardening companies differ?

When you’re researching gardening companies and getting quotes, consider your budget versus your needs. If you find a company that seems like a great fit but has a higher price point, ask them why. Some good examples include companies that pay their staff higher wages to keep them happy and engaged, but also learning, training, and growing with the company.

  • Do you need experience, advice, and expertise on top of someone strong and hardworking?
  • Does the job you have in mind require special equipment and tools that the company has?

What is your first impression of the company and their gardeners?

You need to feel comfortable having the workers and gardeners on your private property, so make sure the people are a good fit for you too.

  • Do you get a good impression of the gardening company?
  • Are the staff friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, engaged, positive, and trustworthy?
  • Do you have a good connection with the company and its gardeners?
How (And Why) To Hire A Gardening Company

Next steps in hiring a great gardening company

You’ve looked at their website, you’ve checked out their social media, and you may have made initial contact to get a rough estimate or learn more. Now what?

  • Ask your friends, family, and neighbours. There are no better ‘thumbs up’ on a gardening company than one that is recommended by someone you know! See a nice lawn and garden nearby? Ask them who they use. Interested in a particular company? Ask around about them.
  • Get a free estimate. Ask for an estimate, which should always be free. When one of their employees visits your garden, you should know right away whether they’re the right company for what you’re looking for.
  • Review their follow-up information. Every good gardening company should follow up with you right away. They’ll send you timelines, task lists, initial agreed-upon budgets, terms and conditions, any extra fees, warranties or liabilities, and anything else you discussed. Make sure that everything is clearly stated and understood.

A clear contract is just as much protection for you, as it is for the company. Both sides should feel comfortable taking on the project. Make sure you’re on the same page before signing anything.  

Congrats! You’ve booked your gardeners: Be there for the first visit

Now for the exciting part where your garden transformation begins. If you can, always be there, on-site to meet with your gardeners or landscaping crew on their first visit. Why? You can ask them questions and get to know them better—and be reassured that you are in good hands. This is also a good time for the gardeners to confirm their priorities and expectations, so everyone is on the same page.

Your post-garden visit checklist

At the end of their first visit, do a walkaround with them. Make sure that you’re happy before they leave and that tasks were done how you wanted them. This will help establish and reaffirm your standards and expectations for the gardeners too.

  • Did you receive a follow-up email or phone call from the estimator, or project manager checking you were happy with the initial visit or finished product?

These follow-ups are crucial for both you and the company, as any questions or concerns etc can be caught and addressed swiftly. The right company should leave you with no hesitation in rebooking them again for future work or recommending them to friends or family. If you are left with that feeling, then you found the right gardening and landscaping company for you.

Costa Verde gardening and landscaping company in Victoria, BC

Costa Verde is a local, family-run landscaping and gardening business rooted in Victoria’s communities. Our crew members share our values of taking care of our home—and actively building and maintaining outdoor spaces that everyone can enjoy. We employ hardworking staff who are career gardeners, designers, horticulturists, and landscapers. We are experts in our field and bring our knowledge, training, tools, and positivity to every job. 

Learn more about us and book your free estimate today.