Just like when you are working with any other professionals, your relationship and ability to communicate clearly and without misunderstandings can make an enormous difference in both the process and the end result of the job you are having done. Whether you are hiring a designer, landscape installer, an architect, an engineer, a gardener or a mower-blower, you need to keep some good communication skills in mind if you want to have a good experience with your garden professionals.
It all starts out with the first phone call. Know what information you want ahead of making your call. This way you know what questions to ask. Green industry people are often working lean and mean with the effects of the recession in some parts of the country, so not everybody will be around to answer their phones. Don't worry about leaving a message. A good professional should call you back even if it takes them a day or two. The most important part of your message is your telephone number. Don't assume that your phone or the receiving phone will record clearly or that anyone knows your number as well as you do. Leave your name and number twice and leave it clearly. You won't get a call back if your number is unintelligible, no matter how much a landscape professional may want your business.
Put it all in writing. Once you have decided on the person you will work with, make sure all the important points are listed on paper to avoid potential misunderstandings. Most professionals have agreements or contracts. If you aren't offered one, scribble the terms down on paper so you know you are both literally “on the same page”.
Have the little things parroted back. If there are details that are important to you, make sure your landscape help is aware of them. Sometimes it's worth having each party express in words what you want so you know your wishes are heard.
Supervise. Show up when the work is being done. There are hundreds of small decisions that will be made in any single job. Your professionals are not psychic. If you are there to guide them, you are more likely to get what you want. Otherwise, be prepared to accept the decisions made by the expert you hired.
Make sure you sign off on all work. It's good for both parties to agree in writing that expectations have been met. Usually, when communications are clear, trust issues don't develop and mistakes are less common.
Comments