A: Interview them. Have them provide you with a detailed written proposal, sample properties that they maintain with addresses and points of contact. Have a list of these following questions:

How many visits a year will you provide me?

Please describe to me your quality control program.

How are complaints or mistakes handled when they arise?

Do you have an irrigation repair tech? If so how often do they check my system? When they check my system what are they looking for?

How often do you sharpen your lawn mower blades?

When I call your office during business hours who will I speak with?

If they can’t or stumble on ANY of these questions then interview a new company! This is how I would answer on the spot with no hesitation…

How many visits a year will you provide me?

Our standard Grounds Management Proposal includes up to 39 site visits a year. This gets you weekly service during the growing season and service every two weeks for the remaining months. However as long as both parties have realistic expectations, we can customize your program to fit your needs and your budget.

Please describe to me your quality control program.

Each crew has a properly trained and assigned crew leader. This crew leader is assigned your property all year long. He has a folder in his truck with your contract, your property features and pictures. It includes the total square feet of turf, beds, and annuals. This folder details your irrigation system with type and brand of Controller, valves and heads. This folder has your specials wants and pet peeves about your property. It includes a details point of contact with multiple methods to reach you in case of an emergency. This is just your first line of quality control. A dedicated Quality Control Inspector walks your property once per month. He notes any issue that he sees that may be less than acceptable service by our crew leader or it may be insect damage on your turf. He takes pictures of what he sees and generates a report that he submits to his Account Manager. The Account Manager is your point of contact. This person will be the one you see and calls you on the phone should the need ever arise.

How are complaints or mistakes handled when they arise?

The majority of the time we find our mistakes before you do. See the above answer. However we do make mistakes and our customers are quick to call us when this happens. You will either receive a phone call or email from the Accounts manager requesting an appointment to meet you onsite that day or the next. The mistake will be discussed humbly apologized for and taken care of at once.

Do you have an irrigation repair tech? If so how often do they check my system? When they check my system what are they looking for?

We do have a dedicated Irrigation Repair Tech. He wet checks your system once a month. He looks for proper controller settings, line or head leaks, head adjustments and clogged nozzles. The system should provide 1005 coverage at an optimal efficiency. If he can make the adjustment onsite without an actual repair needed, he will do so. If a repair is required he will contact his Account Manager for approval to do so.

How often do you sharpen your lawn mower blades?

Every eight hours.

When I call your office during business hours who will I speak with?

Our Office Hours are Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00. You will either speak to Kaleigh or Wendy. They will access your need and transfer you to the person you need to speak with based on your need.

2. How do I choose the right Landscape Construction Firm?

A: Interview them. Have them provide you with a detailed written proposal, sample properties that they maintain with addresses and points of contact. Have a list of these following questions:

Where is your office located and may we come interview you there?

Will you provide me three to five references to include similar projects that you have built?

Explain that you don’t pay up front and that you pay only when the project is completed. Is this a problem for you?

Ask them for sample design work. If you like what you see then commit to paying them for a design. If you did not like nor could they produce a design portfolio then find another company.

Ask them who would be your Project Superintendant and Project Manager. Then ask them why those two?

What is my warranty period?

When could you start and how long will it take?

If they can’t or stumble on ANY of these questions then interview a new company! This is how I would answer on the spot with no hesitation…

Where is your office located and may we come interview you there?

My office is located at 1000 Coley Station Road Cochran, GA. 31014 We would love to host you and show you our facilities. Can we go ahead and make that appointment now?

Will you provide me three to five references to include similar projects that you have built?

I will be happy to provide you with as many references as you would like to include project, type, customer type, craftsmanship, personal, business, credit, and business.

Explain that you don’t pay up front and that you pay only when the project is completed. Is this a problem for you?

No problem. You do not have to finance my jobs. In fact if I have to borrow money from you to build your project; then I can’t afford to build or warranty your project!

Ask them for sample design work. If you like what you see then commit to paying them for a design. If you did not like nor could they produce a design portfolio then find another company.

I will be happy to show you hard copies or pdf’s of our design portfolio. My formal Degree is Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgia. We specialize in custom designs and master plans.

Ask them who would be your Project Superintendant and Project Manager. Then ask them why those two?

For your project the Job Superintendent would be _________________ and the Project Manager would be ________________ . Each of these where chosen to build your project because they specialize in that particular skill. This is our process. We don’t just assign the next available guy. We match their particular strengths and skill set to the demands of each project we take on.

What is my warranty period?

We warranty all products and labor for 1-year. Plants and sod are covered in this as long as we installed your irrigation system.

When could you start and how long will it take?

We could start your project on this date and it will take 10 consecutive work days to complete. We will handle all of your permits for you and confirm the day before that we are coming the next day. If anything changes between now and then, we will call you and inform you of such changes. However if nothing happens we will see you on the ____________.

3. What is "Lawn Care"?

A: The term Lawn Care for our industry pertains to the services we provide that improve the conditions of your existing turf. For example: Fertilization, PH adjustments, Pre and Post Emerge Weed Control, Pest Control and Aeration.

4. How do I save on my Water Bill and Consumption?

A: We have tapped into the cutting edge of technology and along with Hunter and Rainbird Irrigation Manufacturing have developed a truly remarkable technique called Smart Water Irrigation System (S.W.I.S.). We have traveled to Hunter Irrigation R&D facility in San Diego as well as Rainbird Irrigation R&D in Tucson to learn how each facet of this system works. This Smart Water Irrigation System starts with retrofitting your current irrigation system with MP Rotator Nozzles, and then we add a Solar Sync to your existing controller. The Smart Water System can be installed on your current Irrigation for as low as $750.00 You will see a 40% reduction in your irrigation water usage the very next day!!! See how much money we saved one of our customers by clicking here.

5. How can I make my Paver Patio look new again?

A: Give us a call and let us make that paver patio, walkway or drive way look brand new again. Pavers after about 5-years acquire quite a bit of “gunk” that hides the look you had after the installation. We can clean and seal your pavers with an environmentally friendly product that will not harm you, your plants or your pets. Have that BRAND NEW LOOK on your investment for years to come!

6. What is Low Voltage Lighting?

A: Low Voltage Lighting is an efficient way to illuminate your home, plantings and paths with 12 or 24 volts of electricity. This type of system can easily be set to a timer that can instantly go on or off at any hour of the night that you wish. Low Voltage Lighting is like doubling the value of your landscaping. I say this because we all enjoy a properly constructed planting plan, however there is only one flaw. We can only enjoy this during the daylight. With a Low Voltage Lighting System you can now enjoy your landscaping at night!

7. When is the Best Time to Plant?

A: As long as you are committed to properly caring for your new plantings, we can plant year round in Georgia! However there is a significant amount of stress that takes place on new planting when the temperatures exceed 85 degrees. If time is not a critical factor I always encourage our customers to plant in the late fall or even the winter. The transplant shock is drastically reduced if the plants are dormant at the time of installation.

8. How can I make my property stand out from everyone else’s?

A: A great looking yard is like a professional body builder. What you see does not come easy and there are no short cuts! Someone is going to have to work hard and work smart. This may be you or this may be your Landscape Contractor, but I promise it’s not going to happen on its own. Once you have installed your perfect plantings, be committed to their upkeep and maintenance. So very often I see beautiful properties shortly after they are planted, only to visit again a few years later to see a jungle! Sort of like giving your kids a puppy. Once they get it they must be dedicated to caring for a full grown dog.

Get creative with season color, think about installing a Low Voltage Lighting System, invest into Creative Hardscape like Pavers, Stone work, Patios, Arbors, Outdoor Fireplaces, etc. Think about grade. Give some character to the grades and slopes of your soil and earth before you plant. Think about utilizing different plant materials such as Ornamental Grasses and Ground Covers. Begin with the end in mind and hire a well qualified Landscape Designer and pay them to create your masterpiece. You think $1,000.00 is a lot of money for design? Well think how much you are going to invest in your landscaping over the next 20-years. It will equal somewhere close to 20% of the cost of your home. Wouldn’t it make sense to have invested a little bit into that forethought? Would you ever buy a brand new SUV without ever seeing it? I think not!

9. Wood Mulch-vs-Pine Straw? Which do I choose?

A: First of all I always defer to your personal preference. But if budgets are driving your decisions then know that Hardwood does cost an average of 40% more than pine straw. However it will last more than twice as long. Pine Straw should be replaced twice a year for an acceptable appearance and function of this type of mulch. Hardwood Mulch will last 12-18 months before it needs to be replaced.

10. Do I seed or do I sod?

A: Seed cost roughly 15%-20% of what Sod installation cost. The reward for sod and this additional money??? When you leave for work that morning you have a “yard of mud”; when you get home, there is a nice lush green lawn ready for you to enjoy! Seed will grow just as thick and just as lush as sod, it just takes time. When you purchase seed expect all growing season for it to be a work in progress. There will be erosion and areas to sand in before you are 100% complete. If you are a patient person and its early in the growing season seed will grow into a beautiful lush lawn. Just don’t plan that Neighborhood BBQ the next weekend after we get done!

A: Get your soil sample back from the UGA Extension Department (see question number 18) and read the needs of your soil. Research the needs of your plant materials. Azaleas like Aluminum Sulfate, Crape Myrtles do not. Match you fertilization to the plant materials needs. 10-10-10 might work 99% of the time but that 1% might be costly!

13. How and when do I prune?

A: See a guide and read about your individual plant before you prune anything. Some flowers grow on 1- year old growth such as Crape Myrtles. Others have flowers that grow on two year old growth such as Azaleas. Pruning at the wrong time on the wrong plant may result in cutting off the growth that supplies your flowers. Invest in a good set of hand pruners (Felcos #6 would be my suggestion) minimize the gas pruning saws and resist the desire to “Meatball” all of your plants. Plants are selected and placed in the micro-environment partially for the desired growth of their natural shapes. Try to allow this plant to grow and form the architecture nature has blessed it with. Use the felcos to shape and encourage all season long. Feel free to eliminate that rouge shoot anytime you see it!

14. How far do I “Cut Back” my Crape Myrtles?

A: Simple…DON’T!!! A Crape Myrtle is designed to grow as a corner plant of even a small tree. A properly placed Crape Myrtle should be thinned out each winter by removing any dead wood and any other shoots that are smaller in diameter than a #2 pencil. Those are the only cuts your Crape Myrtle should ever see!

15. Can I transplant Plants / Trees?

A: Yes you can, if you are dedicated to the proper about of root ball you need to harvest and the requirements of water needed after the transplant takes place. This needs to happen after the first frost of the season has occurred and before the last. December-February are your very best months. Outside of these months your chances of success are reduced as the temperatures rise. Always evaluate the money and sweat required with the risk of survival before you commit to this task. Sometimes you can purchase a new plant similar in size for about the same “Cost”.

16. Landscape Fabric Yes or No?

A: Personal preference in many occasions. In my experience there are as many cons as there are pros. All beds will have weeds period!!! If you properly tend your beds with the proper chemical applications and a little commitment to hand pulling where needed, I feel Landscape Fabric is a bad investment for your landscape.

17. Why Should I plant Ground Cover in my Beds?

A: Ground cover planted in your beds gives a final transition of texture and visual flow of plant materials from the sky to the grounds. This can be personal preference as well. However as your ground cover grows together it then eliminates the need of the majority of your mulch and this can be a nice cost saver in the long run!

Instructions for Taking Soil Samples from the University of Georgia Extension Department. See your local agent for bags and actual drop points.

• With a spade, trowel, auger, or soil sampling tube, take a thin vertical slice or core of soil from a minimum of 10 random locations in the area to be tested. Combine, mix thoroughly together, and fill the soil sample bag to the FILL LINE. Fold top to FILL LINE and fasten flaps securely to avoid spillage during shipment. • Remove any surface litter, such as turf thatch, or mulch. For home lawns, sample to a depth of 4 inches. For home gardens, home landscape plants, fruit trees, and wildlife plots, sample to a depth of 6 inches. • Areas where plants grow differently and/or the soil appears different should be sampled separately. For example, sample separately, the garden, general ornamental shrubs, and the home lawn. • When bringing soil samples to the Extension office, you will need to know whether you will require a Routine Test (see description below) or a more specific test for a certain mineral. A Routine Test will determine levels of PH, Potassium (K), Zinc (Zn), • Lime requirement (pHb), Calcium (Ca), Manganese (Mn), Phosphorus (P) and Magnesium (Mg). You will also need to know what plant; tree or crop will be growing where sample was taken. The charge for soil sample analysis is $8.00, which includes a $2.00 postage fee, per sample and is expected when samples are submitted. • Samples are mailed to the Athens Laboratory on Wednesday of each week. You can expect the results in five to seven working days. The results can be e-mailed (preferred), mailed via Postal Service, or you can request a telephone call so the results may be picked up.

19. How often do I water my Lawn?

A: I do not mean to sound evasive however this subject questions can only be answered 100% accurately by the soil and your plants in it. That’s why our Smart Water Irrigation is so critical. Our Smart Water Irrigation System answers this for you! Call or email and ask how. Five minutes of your time will cost you nothing and save you thousands over a lifetime! Irrigate with deeper and less frequent intervals. However this is subject to sun exposure, plant variety, soil type, slope, etc.

20. How can I get a free Subscription to your newsletter, “The Latest Dirt”?

A: Sign-up online at…www.paulklandscaping.com Or email
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