We’ve all been there… after much discussion, planning and back and forth with your family/spouse, you are ready to improve your property. You start by doing some online research, asking around to friends or colleagues, and before you know it you have your list of the top 3-5 contractors you want to get proposals from. When you finally muster up the energy to start making calls, usually in spring or summer, you reach voicemail after voicemail and when you eventually get a hold of someone, they tell you they’re booked out for 3+ months. The frustration that sets in can lead some folks to abandon their plans and dreams of a home improvement project.
The mistake most people make is that they wait until the spring sunshine comes out to start planning their project. Those who decide to start preparing their project during the winter months will find contractors tend to be slower and can enjoy better customer service and quicker start times. When it’s raining out, most landscape contractors aren’t able to perform much work on the job site which allows them to spend more time estimating and meeting with clients.
I highly recommend hiring a designer or architect if your project is at all complicated. They can help turn your vision and ideas into a realistic drawing, complete with material types and plant species. This can help in many ways when it’s time for collecting quotes from contractors. First, you will know all contractors are bidding on the same plan so you can get an apples-to-apples comparison. Second, you are able to work with the designer to develop a clear expectation for the contractor using a drawing, verses just a vague description which can leave expectations unmet. Designers can also be more available during winter and the rainy weeks as they aren’t out on the job sites reviewing their projects.
If you have a project in mind the best time to start on it is today. We are rolling into a new year with new goals and opportunities. Make this the best year for your friends and family by improving your property and creating a new outdoor environment. Use these rainy days to get contractors on the phone and get the process started.
If you happen to be a commercial building owner or property manager, this recommendation holds true for you as well. As many of you know the spring and summer can be filled with hectic days trying to meet tenants’ and clients’ needs. Use these rainy weeks to revisit your maintenance needs or get a quote for that new improvement.
Lastly, I want to recommend everyone get their irrigation systems evaluated. If you can get a jump on spring and update your system with the latest technology, you will be in a great position to save water and save money as the weather begins to warm up.