How to Hire a Great Gardener
Whether you need a gardener for one day of work or for ongoing projects, finding the right one can be difficult, especially if you are new to the area. You want someone who is dependable, affordable, and most of all, does great work. Here are some ideas to help you find and hire a great gardener:
- Ask around. People are usually happy to offer their opinion and recommendation on the services of just about any business.
- Look in the yellow pages. Most gardeners have a listing in the yellow pages and you can find the contact information for each company.
- Check the classified ads. Many good service people use the classified ads as a way to advertise their services.
- Contact garden centers, nurseries, and even your local home supplies store. The employees as well as visitors are people who are familiar with area gardeners, and can usually recommend someone to you. You may just find an employee who moonlights as a gardener and offers great work at a low price.
Once you find a couple of gardeners who might fit the bill, the next thing to do is get references. Ask for the contact information of current and former clients, and then call these people. You will be able to find out a lot about how well they work with their clients and the quality of their work. Many gardeners will also have a portfolio of gardens they have taken care of, or they can take you to visit some of their current sites.
Some gardeners have many clients. If the gardener has a he client list, it is probably a good bet that they subcontract out some of their easier work to other employees or helpers. This is something that you need to find out about beforehand. You want the quality of work from the staff to be as good as the work of the gardener.
You will also want to know about the qualifications of your potential gardener. How long have they been in the gardening business? Do they have any type of education or professional affiliations? Are they bonded and insured, and does this cover any helpers they have? Make sure that you discuss rates and negotiate a deal that you are comfortable with.
A great way to negotiate is to let your gardener know that you know people who would also like to have work done on your yard and you will be happy to refer them. Most businesses get excited at the idea of securing future clients.
You will need a contract which spells out exactly what the gardener will be responsible for. It should also spell out the payment schedule, and what both parties are liable for in the event of a contract breach (work not done or payment not made). This less ambiguity, the more you will be protected.
The key to having a good relationship with your gardener is communication. It is a good idea to set aside some time periodically to discuss your yard, proposed changes, problems, etc. This is a great way to make sure that you and your gardener continue to be on the same page when it comes to keeping your yard looking beautiful.