In landscaping as with everything else, you get what you pay for. You will achieve the most satisfactory results when you work with trusted professionals. Here’s why a reputable landscape contractor and a high quality landscape design are so important in Allentown, PA.
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Any landscape improvements are an investment in your property value; but even more than that, they are an investment in your enjoyment of the landscape. After all, you are paying for the land, and it should be beautiful and functional so you get your money’s worth. Very often, people who wait for years to renovate their landscape and finally do, will comment that they wish they had done the improvements earlier.
There’s no need to be stuck with a too-small patio, a dangerously sloped and unusable yard, terrible lighting, poor drainage, or a previous owner’s ugly landscaping. While some outdoor living projects can be extravagant and expensive, many can be done on a budget, and in stages. This makes the process affordable - and highly satisfying - as you watch your landscape transform before your eyes.
The biggest obstacle is often money, which is why people either choose to attempt to do the work themselves, with limited skills and limited time; or, why they choose to hire the cheapest contractors in an attempt to save money.
There’s nothing wrong with a DIY approach if you know what you’re doing and you understand that projects often open a can of worms that turn a small project into a complete overhaul; if you are adept at juggling subcontractors, materials purchases, and timelines.
However, if you choose to work with a contractor, you will rarely get the outcome you want if you go with the lowest bidder.
But a project doesn’t even start with the work. It starts with a plan. Most homeowners know vaguely what they want, but don’t have the expertise to consider things like optimal traffic flow, the best materials for the job, landscape lighting, materials purchases, and the many behind-the-scenes details that can make or break a project.
Working with a landscape designer helps you put your dreams on paper (or computer) so that you can see both a bird’s-eye view and a street view of the final outcome. This helps you spot design errors before they become set in stone (literally). A landscape designer also helps you stay within your budget with materials and design choices that work for you.
Once your vision is ready for installation, you want to work with a reputable contractor. This contractor will: ensure that the site is actually ready for your project (you may need to solve drainage issues first). A good contractor will take care of permits and other logistics; purchase the correct materials in the correct amounts; schedule subcontractors if work is being outsourced. Most importantly, a reputable contractor will be in constant communication with you about the project progress, and any challenges or setbacks the project encounters.
A reputable contractor is also insured to protect you, your property, as well as the contractor and employees in the case of injury, property damage, or other unforeseen circumstances. You will likely get little or no such assurance from a cheap contractor! You will also not get a warranty of the work from a cheap contractor. And since things do go wrong on occasion, it’s vital to have this protection.
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