When most people are looking for a gardener, they prioritise two things: the cost and whether the gardener will make their outdoor space look fantastic. With so many gardening services to choose between, it can be challenging to know where to start.
Do you want a general gardener? Or are you looking for a landscape designer? How much can you afford to spend? Do you want a contemporary garden or a traditional one?
These questions might seem unimportant, but they’ll help you decide on the right gardener for your needs. But there are many other things to consider, so we’ll go through them in this post.
If you’re wondering how to find an excellent local gardener, we’ve got everything you need to know.
Do Experience & Qualifications Matter?
One of the most important things you’ll have to consider is whether your gardener should have qualifications. In some cases, qualifications and experience are essential, but in others, you might end up paying more for a specialist when you only need a general gardener.
For example, if you’re looking for someone to mow the lawn and trim some hedges, you can pay someone younger and less experienced to do the job. However, if you want to re-design your entire garden, a specialist landscape designer is the best way to go.
Not all gardeners have qualifications, and some people decide to turn their favourite hobby into a business, but landscaping professionals usually have some form of training because they need to draw up designs and evaluate your garden space.
Qualifications and experience matter for more complicated gardening jobs, but you can save money by hiring someone less experienced if you just want someone to tidy up your garden.
The Legal Stuff
Another area of ambiguity is whether or not gardeners should bring their tools. The general rule is that any gardening service should have tools that a gardener brings with them to each job.
After all, you’re paying for a service, so most would expect the tools to be included. If you’re planning to hire a gardener for ongoing work, providing tools is OK, but this person would be more of an employee.
Every gardening service should have public liability insurance because it covers any damage to your property. It’s also worthwhile checking if the service has a DBS certificate because it shows reputability and can put your mind at ease.
Finding the Right Price
It’s common for gardeners to price their general services, such as cutting the grass and trimming hedges, but most will quote for larger jobs. This is because no garden is the same, and there are many factors to consider when providing a quote.
The size of your garden, its current state and general location are all considered, so most gardeners will visit your property and evaluate the soil type, the extent of the work required and how long the project will take.
It’s your right to shop around for the right gardening services, but it’s always best to ensure the company you choose knows what they’re doing and can prove their experience.
Before you agree to any quote, we recommend you do the following:
Get a Concrete Price
One of the worst things about paying for any service is the extra charges at the end. A reputable company will discuss the work you want them to do and give you a concrete quote. They’ll only increase the price if you ask for extra work, so it’s essential to make sure you’re dealing with professionals that don’t overprice their services.
Don’t Compromise On Quality.
As the saying goes, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. While cheap gardening services can save you a lot of money, you might end up spending more in the long term – especially if the services aren’t up to scratch.
It’s always better to spend a little more on a reputable company than settle for rock bottom prices.
Reviews Are Essential
Choosing a gardening service doesn’t have to be difficult, and most landscape designers will have reviews on their websites. But can you always trust reviews? Some companies post reviews on their website, but it’s best to use Google My Business to get a proper idea of how a company performs.
Both Google My Business and TrustPilot are excellent to check out impartial reviews because they’re independent, so you can guarantee that any reviews you read are genuine.
Is There a Portfolio?
Every service-based business must demonstrate its skills, and the best way to do this is through case studies and a portfolio. If you come across gardening services that can’t prove their experience, it’s best to look elsewhere for a suitable company.
At Floral & Hardy, we have an extensive portfolio of our previous work and encourage everyone to look at our gardening services portfolio, so they know they can trust our specialists.
Do You Need Waste Disposal?
Gardening often comes with a cleanup job afterwards, and many people prefer their gardener to dispose of the cuttings and weeds. Most services are happy to help but will charge extra to take your waste.
The main reason for this is that they’ll need to dispose of the waste responsibly, which often means transferring it to a waste management site. If you have access to a garden bin, it might be cheaper to dispose of the waste yourself, but most services will only charge a small amount to do it for you.
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, this post gives you some ideas on how to find a great local gardener. Remember, if you’re looking for landscaping services, it’s always best to choose a reputable company that can prove its experience.
If you’d like to be updated on the latest gardening tips and trends, please feel free to follow our blog. We update it regularly, so we hope to see you there!
Liked this post? Check out Six Ways to Prepare Your Garden For Winter.
