Not everyone is naturally green fingered, especially people like me. I am a real amateur and can provide little help when it comes to gardening. Some things might look simple but it often requires someone with a bit of knowledge or know-how to do it well.
Recently, we bought a house which required plenty of jobs to do in the garden, like cutting down big mature trees and fixing the fencing. My first thought was that maybe I could have a crack at it myself and save myself a bit of money to spend elsewhere on the house. But after tackling it for over an hour, I raised my white flag and decided to look for professional help, for someone who knows what they are doing and have the right equipment to do it efficiently.
When it comes to researching for the right person to do the tasks around gardening, I decided to use Rated People service. It wasn’t long ago that I used them via the Mumsnet product test page. There are a wealth of people out there to provide the services you require, but it can be difficult knowing who to choose. After researching, I hope these thoughts will provide you with a better idea for hiring the right person.
Finding the Right Company
First things first, what do you require? Are you looking for someone who specialises in landscaping, tree surgery or general maintenance? Not every gardener does the same type of work. For example, I asked a few tree surgeons if they also do fencing but they didn’t. So check their business description, photographs and customer reviews on Rated People to find an individual or company that carries out the kind of work you need.
Qualifications
Do they have the right qualifications to carry out the job? You wouldn’t want to hire any cowboys to cut down trees and ruin yours or your neighbour’s fence! Also, do they sound knowledgable? If they are professional, they will be able to name the trees and give you any advice like bird nesting seasons, etc. Ask for references and they should be able to provide you with written testimonials via their Facebook page, Twitter or Google Maps.
Legal Requirements
One thing that people tend to forget to ask is whether your gardener has a public liability insurance certificate. This would cover any damage they cause to your property. As a legit business, they should be able to provide you with that information.
Quotes
They will usually visit your property to give you a quote and it is a good idea to get as many quotes as possible. It will give you a better idea of the price range for the same job. Then ask for the quote in writing/text and make sure it lists all components of the work.
You need to establish the date and for how long. Also, ask what methods of payment will they accept, e.g. cash, bank transfer, and some may accept cheques and cards.
Something I learned recently is that not every gardener will dispose of your garden waste. We can never assume that and it can add an unexpected cost to a gardening job.
Did you know that Rated People allows you to create your garden job for free? Then up to three tradesmen can provide a quote and you can check their ratings and reviews before you pick them!
Have I missed out any tips? If so, please let me know in the comments below.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.