Your Landscape: From Rendering To Reality - Part II: Installation

For additional articles in the series please click the following links (NOTE: Links will become active as articles appear online.):

• Part I: Design
• Part III: Maintenance
• Part IV: Upgrades and Modifications

Below are the questions The Groundskeeper asked. All viewpoints are represented, and direct quotes are noted as such.

The Groundskeeper offers its sincere thanks to the professionals who so willingly participated in these interviews:

• J. L. Healy, TA Construction, Tucson, Ariz.
• Ralph Monaco, Evergreen Builders Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.
• Greg Flanagan, G.K. Flanagan & Associates, Phoenix, Ariz.
• Don Campbell, Campbell Collaborative Inc., Phoenix, Ariz.
• Jack Zunino, Jack Zunino & Associates, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Dan Stevenson, Dan Stevenson Landscape Design Services, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Stan Southwick, Southwick & Associates, Las Vegas, Nev.
• Anne Warner, Planning Resources, Tucson, Ariz.
• Don McGann, McGann & Associates, Tucson, Ariz.
• Wayne C. Connor, Wayne C. Connor & Associates, Palm Desert, Calif.
• (One other project manager for a major Southwest general contractor asked that his remarks remain anonymous.)

What Issues, Beside Cost, Should Be Considered When Selecting A Landscape Contractor?
Service is the name of the game. It starts in the bidding stage. Most of the time, budgets projected at the start of construction are pretty chewed up by the time the property owner is ready to do landscaping. A good landscape contractor can take the original landscape design and use “value engineering” to downsize plants, respace plantings, and reconfigure the irrigation system without compromising the intent of the original design.

Quality work is also a high-ranking measure. The landscape contractor must use good plant material and quality irrigation products. Monaco said, “The quantities of plants must meet the design. And they should do the job without our having to watch-dog the installation.”

Look for people who can meet the schedule, and will have the landscape architect’s punch list finished on time, no matter what. Healy offered this insight: “We just finished a major apartment complex with The Groundskeeper. Some buildings could be landscaped on time by a crew of six or less. However, some buildings had more landscaping to be done and required more manpower to accomplish the job in the same amount of time. The Groundskeeper seems to have this philosophy of ‘whatever it takes.’ They had crews of up to 10 out there when we needed them.”

Competent management and adequate manpower are imperative. The landscape contractor must be able to communicate with the designer and the general contractor to ensure that the plan is understood. There must then be enough crewmembers on site to get the job done on schedule.

Do You Verify Licensing And Insurance Of Landscape Contractors?
Yes. Always. Many of our respondents have lists of people they recommend. The companies on the lists are all proven to do quality work. Unfortunately, many projects overspend on building construction and have very little left for landscaping. As a result, the client chooses the contractor who bids lowest, too often sacrificing quality in the process.

Remember, you get what you pay for. Experience, registration, licensing and bonding are all good measures of a company’s character.

Is Quick Response A Factor In A Satisfactory Relationship With Your Landscape Contractor?
Everyone had good things to say about a fast turn-around. Quick response is especially important for irrigation problems. Again, Healy said, “The Groundskeeper has the right idea. A kid took a controller apart on one of our sites. Water was going everywhere. I called The Groundskeeper’s supervisor, who is on a beeper around the clock. I would tell any general contractor to ask potential landscape contractors, ‘Do you have someone on call 24 hours a day?’”

Do You Have A Preferred Landscape Contractor? What Makes Them So?
Several said they do have preferred contractors - and happily, The Groundskeeper was high on the list. The reasons listed were competent management, adequate manpower, ability to meet schedules, communication, quick response and quality workmanship.

Would Extended Warranties Make You Consider Choosing A Landscaper Who Is Not The Lowest Bidder?
The final decision is made by the property owner, so most of our respondents could not answer this question thoroughly. However, most agreed that it is definitely a positive “arrow in your quiver” for bidding if a landscape company that does a quality installation can offer the property owner long-term care. Maintenance by the same people who took pride in doing the initial job well can only bring success.

Are “Change Order” Prices What You Consider Reasonable?
There were differing opinions on this question. Some have had experiences with landscape contractors who overcharge, while others have felt the pricing from the contractors they work with was fair. It would pay to check the job histories of the companies you are considering.

Contract Terms And Conditions Have Become Much More Restrictive. Do You Find That Landscapers Read And Understand These Terms?
The consensus here: if the landscape company is a good one, this won’t be a problem. This is an area in which you can really test communication skills. Ask the company’s representative to discuss the contract terms with you. That conversation will tell you a lot about the quality of work you can expect from that company.

What Is The Most Common Error That Happens In Installation?
Interestingly, those who have preferred landscape contractors had to think hard to think of anything. One could think of no errors. That says a lot about the proven companies. One error that was mentioned, though, was putting sand around irrigation lines.

The landscape architects emphasized that questions about the installation should be addressed during the bidding process. To ensure that the contractor understands the designer’s and the client’s intentions, a preconstruction meeting on the site goes a long way. Problems like improper installation of irrigation systems and plant material can be avoided when everyone is clear on the specifications.

Should Your Landscape Installer Be Able To Provide Maintenance?
When the installer provides care for the landscape, there is no argument about who is responsible for replacing plants that die, repairing equipment, etc. Having the installer care for the property also seems to guard the integrity of the design.

Is The Contracted Maintenance Period Generally Long Enough? Is The Maintenance Of Acceptable Quality? Is It Consistent?
Most of our respondents are not involved with the long-term maintenance of projects, but several landscape architects commented how rewarding it is to see a property maintained according to the design so that it grows to proper maturity. On the other hand, it is disheartening to see a landscape deteriorate because of inconsistent or inadequate care. One key to dependable care is using a company that will stay with the job long-term.