A large landscape project is a significant investment. Whether you’re redesigning your entire property, building new outdoor living areas, improving functionality, or increasing curb appeal, the company you hire will have a major impact on the final result.
Learning how to choose a landscaping company requires looking beyond the finished photos and asking questions that reveal how the company handles planning, communication, accountability, and customer service. The answers can help you distinguish between contractors who simply complete projects and those who consistently deliver a positive experience from start to finish.
At Westside Grounds, we’ve been helping residential and commercial property owners throughout Lakewood and the Denver metro area since 1999. Our team provides landscape construction, irrigation, hardscaping, retaining walls, sod installation, and other outdoor improvements backed by specialized crews, professional project oversight, and responsive customer service.
Before hiring a contractor for a major outdoor project, consider the following questions to ask a landscaping company.
Key Points
- Confirm insurance coverage: a reputable contractor should be transparent about its coverage and how it manages risk on an active jobsite.
- Ask about project management experience: years in business isn’t enough; find out how many similar projects they’ve managed and who oversees the work.
- Understand how they handle subcontractors: ask which work is done in-house and who maintains accountability for the entire project.
- Ask about warranties: find out what warranties are available, how long they last, and how claims are handled.
- Get a clear timeline: a professional contractor should provide a general timeline and explain how they communicate schedule changes and updates.
What Questions Should I Ask a Landscaping Company Before Hiring Them for a Large Design-Build Project?
The larger the investment, the more important the hiring decision becomes.
A design-build project often involves a substantial budget, multiple phases of work, and weeks of construction activity. Homeowners are trusting a contractor with their property, their time, and a significant financial commitment.
Ask questions before you hire a contractor.
The following five questions can provide valuable insight into how a landscaping company operates and whether it is prepared to successfully manage a larger project.
1. Do You Have Insurance?
Insurance is one of the clearest indicators that a company takes its responsibilities seriously.
Construction projects involve equipment, crews, materials, and active jobsites. Even with careful planning, unexpected situations can occur. Proper insurance helps protect both the contractor and the property owner in the event of problems.
A reputable contractor should be transparent about its coverage and willing to answer questions about how it manages risk. If a company seems hesitant to discuss insurance or avoids providing clear answers, that may be a sign to continue your search.
2. Do You Have Experience in Project Management for a Large Design-Build Project?
Experience is about more than years in business.
A company may have completed landscaping work for many years while still having limited experience managing larger, more complex projects. As project size increases, communication, scheduling, budgeting, and coordination become increasingly important.
Ask how many projects similar to yours the company has completed. Find out who oversees construction, how they track progress, and how they communicate updates throughout the project.
Experienced project managers understand that challenges can arise during any construction project. What separates strong companies from average ones is how they handle those challenges. Established processes, clear communication, and organized project oversight can help keep projects moving forward while minimizing stress for the homeowner.
At Westside Grounds, our specialized crews and project-focused approach allow us to manage landscape construction projects while maintaining the communication and attention to detail that property owners expect.
3. Do You Work with Subcontractors?
Many homeowners assume every worker on a project is employed directly by the contractor they hire. In reality, some companies rely heavily on subcontractors to complete portions of their projects.
Subcontracting is common and is not necessarily a concern. The more important question is how they manage those subcontractors.
Ask which services are completed by company employees and which services may involve outside landscape construction contractors. The goal is accountability.
When several companies are involved in a project, homeowners should never be left wondering who is responsible. A professional landscape construction contractor should maintain oversight and responsibility for the entire project, regardless of who performs individual tasks.
4. Do You Provide Any Warranties on Your Landscape Services?
A warranty can tell you a great deal about a company’s confidence in its work.
When a contractor stands behind its services after a project is complete, it demonstrates a commitment to quality and long-term customer satisfaction.
Ask what warranties are available, how long they last, and how warranty claims work.
Pay attention not only to the answers themselves but also to how clearly they communicate those answers.
5. Will I Get a Timeline for My Landscaping Project?
One of the most common frustrations homeowners experience during construction is uncertainty.
Without clear expectations, it becomes difficult to know whether a project is progressing as planned or when major milestones should occur. A professional contractor should be able to provide a general timeline and explain how they will handle communication throughout the project.
Ask how they create timelines, communicate schedule changes, and how frequently they provide project updates.
FAQs
How Can I Tell If a Landscaping Company Is Experienced with $25K+ Landscape Construction Projects?
Ask questions about projects that are similar in size and scope to your own. An experienced contractor should be able to discuss how they manage projects, handle communication, and address challenges throughout the construction process.
Should a Landscape Company Provide a Clear Timeline and Project Manager?
In most cases, yes. No contractor can control every variable. Colorado weather, material availability, and other factors can affect scheduling. However, homeowners should still receive realistic expectations and regular updates when circumstances change.
What Insurance, Warranties, or Guarantees Should a Landscaping Company Have?
Every company structures its policies differently, but reputable contractors should be willing to discuss insurance coverage and warranty options openly.
The most important factor is transparency. Homeowners should understand the protections available, the limitations, and how concerns will be handled if they arise after construction is complete.
How Do Landscaping Companies Handle Subcontractors, Materials, and Communication During a Large Outdoor Project?
The strongest contractors have systems in place to coordinate every aspect of the project while maintaining clear communication with the client.
Homeowners should know who their primary contact is, how they will receive updates, and who is responsible for managing the various people and resources involved in the project.
Ready to Choose a Landscape Construction Contractor for Your Project?
Not all landscape construction companies provide the same level of communication, organization, and customer support. Knowing how to choose a landscaping company can help you make a more informed decision and feel confident about your investment.
For more than 25 years, Westside Grounds has been helping Colorado property owners improve their outdoor spaces through thoughtful planning, quality workmanship, and a commitment to doing things right. Whether you’re planning a large renovation or a targeted outdoor improvement, our team is ready to help.
Contact Westside Grounds today for a free quote.
References Used to Inform This Page
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