Tag Archives: Orlando

How to Hire the Best Landscape Contractor in Orlando

Orlando is the vacation destination for those who visit and those who are lucky enough to live in the city. For more relaxing and less work, hire a certified landscape contractor in Orlando. Landscape contractors can help you improve your business visibility, and your home life by helping you maintain beautiful, stress-free landscapes. In Orlando, where insects, fungus, weeds and hurricanes wreck havoc on landscapes, a good landscape contractor is worth their truck’s weight in gold!

Open the phone book and you will find hundreds of listings for landscape contractors in Orlando. How do you know which contractor is the right one for you? Investigate the following factors when interviewing landscape contractors to select the right fit for your needs.

Factors to Consider when Hiring a Landscape Contractor in Orlando
• First and foremost-is the contractor certified by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. This is the accrediting organization for landscape contractors, nursery growers and greenhouse growers in Florida. Landscape contractors certified by the FNGLA have to take a series of classes and a test to be certified. They are taught ethical business practices, proper permitting procedures and landscape contractor skills.

• Does the contractor offer a free, written estimate? The contractor needs to be able to take the time to come to your job site and talk with you to learn your needs for the project. After visiting the site, the contractor should fax or deliver an estimate of expenses including materials and labor.

• Does the contractor have proper pesticide licenses? Once your landscape is installed, you will want it maintained properly. Anyone can go to the hardware store, purchase fertilizer and pesticide and apply it to your lawn. Only certified pesticide applicators should be doing this commercially, as they have the training and knowledge to apply pesticides and fertilizers safely and effectively.

• Does the landscape contractor have an in-house designer? Whether the contractor has a certified landscape architect on staff or not is irrelevant. You should ask to see pictures of landscapes, water features and hardscapes that were designed and installed both by in-house staff members, or by a close work associate. The biggest stumbling block down the road, once your landscape is installed, is a plan that came from somewhere else. In order to properly maintain the landscape, it is best if the design was done by the contractor.

• Does the contractor install and fix irrigation systems? Irrigation is a large part of Orlando landscape installation. If the sprinkler system breaks, you will need your contractor, who is familiar with your yard or commercial landscape, to be able to fix the system.

• Does the contractor provide emergency services? If a major irrigation pipe bursts, or a motorist runs over a retaining wall in a commercial property, you will need someone on location, fast. It helps if it is you regular landscape contractor, because they will be able to identify the problem, the source and quickly repair it.

These are just a few things to consider when hiring a landscape contractor in Orlando. In order to maintain a beautiful, safe and worry-free landscape, thoroughly interview the landscape contractor before signing a contract.

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Seeking a Landscape Contractor in Orlando? Arm yourself With Information

So, you live in Orlando and you need to find a landscape contractor…but where do you begin? Begin by asking yourself what’s important to you. Of course, price will be a factor when hiring a landscape contractor, but there are many in the Orlando area that will provide low-cost landscaping assistance with exceptional service and value.
 
Orlando homeowners should look for landscape contractors who provide landscape maintenance, installation, pest control and much more. Exceptional service, presented in a timely manner, is also key when choosing your landscape contractor. They should stand behind their work to make sure that every Orlando homeowner is satisfied beyond a doubt.

When looking at all of the landscape contractors in the Orlando area, you can find one company that does it all…Commercial Landscaping and Maintenance, Mowing, Edging, Trimming, Blowing, Leveling – Fill Dirt, Tree/Stump Removal, Trash Removal, Sod Installation…and more!

But whether you are seeking the assistance of a landscape contractor in Orlando to recommend and maintain a few plants, or to plan an entire landscape for your home, be sure to ask if they are certified with the FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association). As a consumer, you deserve to have the most knowledgeable landscape contractor to handle your landscape needs. The FNGLA symbolizes knowledge and professionalism in the Orlando area.

As an Orlando homeowner, you should know that Florida has a horticulture industry certification program – the only one of its kind in the state – that provides landscape industry professionals with an opportunity to earn a professional designation as a Landscape Contractor or Landscape Designer. The FNGLA sponsors this unique industry certification program, and in order to receive full accreditation, landscape industry professionals must complete an extensive exam.

How else can you evaluate the qualifications of your landscape contractor? Well, start by asking the following questions of them.

1. Are you a certified member of the FNGLA as a Landscape Contractor in Orlando?
2. How long have you been in business as a Landscape Contractor in the Orlando area?
3. Do you have an Orlando-based business telephone and address?
4. Do you have a vehicle with your company name on the side?
5. Will you provide me with a copy of your Landscape Contractor’s certificate of insurance issued in Orlando?
6. Do you have a license to work as a Landscape Contractor in the Orlando area?
7. Can you provide a list of references in the Orlando area whom I may contact about your work as a landscape contractor?
8. Do you offer a warranty on parts and labor?
9. Will you guarantee that overspray will be at a minimum?
10. Are you going to zone the sprays and rotors separately to prevent over watering?

Any Landscape Contractor you decide to hire should be comfortable answering these questions and you should be comfortable with their answers.

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