Working with Landscapers

Landscapers are a little different than the typical home improvement contractor in that they will not only be outside of your home, but they also won't even be touching your home. The good thing about this relationship is that a landscaping project will not upset the daily flow of your home. What's difficult is knowing exactly how to go about a working relationship with contractors who never enter your home. Hopefully, this article can offer up some useful tips on how to work with landscapers.

Landscaping Projects
An unwritten rule of home improvement projects is that if contractors are working outside, they don't typically come in the home. If they are working inside, then it is proper etiquette to offer them use of your facilities. That is just an industry standard, and by no means do you have to follow it. While landscapers get pretty dirty, especially during sodding and planting—and this might not be the best time to invite them into your home—there are a few amenities you could offer to the crew who is there to improve your landscape.

If your garage is not full of items or vehicles, the garage is a great place to offer landscapers an escape from the sun. Landscaping projects are hot and difficult work, and the cool concrete floor of the garage and shade from the sun is a nice bonus.

Usually, landscapers will feel free to tap into your outdoor water source, but if they do not assume the use of it, this is something you could offer. If they are installing a sprinkler system, then most likely they are already doing this.

If your landscapers are already tapped into your water source, then you might offer them a jug of water, some lemonade, or something cold to drink. Landscapers are used to the heat and used to being hot, so they most likely will bring along a water jug or some cold soda. But if they can count on their client to offer them a little something, they will be more than happy to work for you.

Offering Your House to Landscapers
Much like offering your garage, if you have a patio or deck that you don't mind landscapers using, let them know this. If you desire to be a super client, offer your landscapers the use of a restroom or a mud room to wash off cuts. If you live far from stores or from metro areas, you might consider offering up a restroom. I mention this only as a time factor. If your landscapers have to stop work and drive into town whenever nature calls, this can slow down your project.

Matt Myers is a freelance writer for the home maintenance and remodeling industry. Formerly a contractor specializing in deck building and casework, Matt has written over 500 articles for both homeowners and contractors.

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