In preparing to open the doors of Carex Design Group, I spent an amazing amount of time comparison shopping for a computer, phone, printer and other business necessities.
As homeowners, we all do it. We scour the internet to compare features and prices on TVs, appliances, lawn mowers and weed eaters. We toil over these choices because the products aren’t easy to compare. When it comes to home improvements (and especially outdoor projects), it becomes even more difficult.
When starting an outdoor project, the typical homeowner will call three or four landscape contractors to get a design and estimate from each company. When the estimates are in, the homeowner can be left trying to compare three projects that are so different it’s nearly impossible to determine a front-runner.
That’s why starting your landscape project with a design is your best bet for easy price comparison. When all contractors are working from the same set of design plans to create your bid, you’re sure to get an apples-to-apples comparison, saving you time and money. You’re also going to get exactly what you want.
If you do decide to comparison shop before getting a landscape design, keep in mind that:
- Each contractor you meet with will likely design your project to the strengths of his or her company (sometimes at the sake of your vision for the space).
- Many landscape contractors don’t have trained designers on staff. Without a trained designer, your options are limited to what the sales person or estimator can provide rather than what you envision.
- Each contractor will have a different interpretation of your wants, needs and personal style, leaving you with estimates that are difficult to compare.
Whether you hire a designer first or start with a landscape contractor, be sure you keep your goals at the forefront of the discussion.
