mardi 4 décembre 2018

Choosing A San Antonio Hardscape Contractor

By Jennifer Wallace


Outdoor rooms and space are part of your landscape. Before spring begins, it is good to make this outdoor space beautiful. The inanimate elements of your yard like the concrete, pool, fences, and tiles create a great appeal but the best way to achieve that is by working with a professional. Many companies are out there offering hardscaping services. Here are some tips for choosing a San Antonio Hardscape Contractor.

One of the things to consider is the additional training of the landscaping expert. A lot of homeowners assume that landscape designers can handle all outdoor projects including hardscaping. However, this is a different industry that requires specialization. So, ask for documents proving additional training and education in this type of project. If the person is certified, it is a sign they are knowledgeable and have what it takes to deliver.

After confirming the certification, the next step is checking if the company has the relevant insurance policies. The policies will give you a peace of mind knowing that even if employees are injured you will not be liable. On the issue of damages, the insurer will compensate you too. So, avoid extra expenses and liabilities by requesting to see valid insurance certificates. Contact the insurance company to corroborate the validity of the permits.

The other tip is communication skills. Most of these projects require a timeline but since something might go wrong during work, it is vital that good communication exists between you and the company. If they take time to respond to calls and emails, that is a red flag and in case you hire such people, communication will be poor. Make observations on their response and the extent to which they keep you updated.

During the search, if anyone asks for a deposit more than 25 percent of all the project costs, it is the rule of the thumb to steer clear from them since it might be a scam or they might not finish the project or even delay it due to a financial crisis. Reputable and financially stable companies will ask for fair deposits because they can fund the rest of your project.

Another thing to consider is the portfolio of the hardscaping company. You cannot trust someone to deliver positive results if you have not seen what they can do. Eliminate all those people without a portfolio on your list of prospective candidates. Get the images of previous work of the remaining companies and choose the company whose work impresses you.

Warranty is also a thing to consider. Contractors nowadays use shortcuts to complete work fast and go to the next project. In the process, they make errors that affect the project afterward. Others will use faulty products because of their price so that they can increase profit. Do not be held accountable for such things by paying for repairs that arise later. Pick people offering a warranty.

The last step is to ensure that all the details of your project are put down on a piece of paper. This can act as evidence in the court of law in case the contractor wants to breach the contract. Always read the contract before signing to make sure you sign the right thing. Use your guts to make the final decision.




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