Winter is a smart time to get together with landscape contractors and design the outdoor space of your dreams. Planning now ensures that you can start right at the turn of the season. Before you can get started, you need to make sure you have the right people on the job. As you search for contractors, make sure to ask the following questions.

Questions to Ask Your Potential Landscape Designer

1. What's the Extent of Your Services?

Not all landscape contractors handle the physical build as well. Some are strictly designers who work closely with another company, while others do both. If you prefer to keep things simple, look for a full-service company who can handle both aspects.

2. Do You Have a Portfolio?

Whether you have a specific vision or just a few ideas, the best way to know if a contractor can fulfill them is to look at their previous projects. If nothing interesting jumps out or resonates with you, consider a different contractor.

3. What Are Your Suggestions?

Asking the landscaping contractors for their suggestions gives you an opportunity to gauge their communication skills. Although they are the experts, this should always be a conversation wherein your wants and needs are weighed alongside their advice. If it feels like you’re not being heard or understood, move on.

4. How Much Will This Cost?

Like any home improvement work, you should be wary of very low and very high prices. Both cheap and exorbitant fees could signal inexperience or something more unsavory. To get a solid sense of where the money would go, ask for a breakdown of the costs. If you have the time, cross-reference a few quotes to get an idea of the going rate for your requested service.

5. When Will Everything Grow?

Because it involves live plants, a landscape takes time to develop fully. Depending on the flowers, trees, shrubs, and grasses you choose, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a year before it looks like the proposed final project. If you don’t plan to move anytime soon, this isn’t much of a problem, however, if you’re getting it done because you plan to sell your home, keep this in mind when planning your project.

For anyone in Montana’s Flathead Valley who’s looking for experienced and dedicated landscape contractors, call Montana Gardens at (406) 250-4950. Based in Whitefish, this full-service company offers everything from landscape design to garden maintenance. Whether you just want to add a few little flower beds around the yard or create a lush, elaborate retreat, they can do it all. To see a portfolio of just some of their previous projects, visit their website.