This is in response to a query that came into the Help Desk from an HOA member a few weeks ago.  She was calling to find out if the Master Gardeners could/would recommend a landscape contractor to redo the landscape of her Association.  To begin, we do NOT recommend any particular landscape company; we will, however, give out a few names in that area who do landscape work.  That is all.

I explained this to the caller and asked her if she had a list of questions to ask the prospective companies.  There had been a listing of this sort on a Southern Living daily blog, and I suggested that she use the general outline when she contacted various companies.  You may find this list helpful yourself.

Question 1: Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?  If you come to talk with my group, will you bring the documents with you and may I copy them?  Anyone who doesn't have these documents should never be hired as YOU do not want to be responsible for accidents that occur to workmen.  Also, have those documents will allow you to check with the California Contractors Board as to any liens, whether the license is still in force, or other ‘PESKY” details such as complaints about work done for other people.

Question 2: Can they provide a detailed contract, scope of work to be done, and explanations of their billing? Remember that payments are NOT required in full at the time of contract signing. A good business will ask for monies as needed for plants, materials, soil, etc. Also, ask if they have their own designers in-house OR if that will be an additional expense.

Question 3: Who are the people I should expect to do the work, how many, and for how long? Also, meet with the foreperson and get a phone number or text address for him/her; also, get a number to get in touch with the person in the office should questions or problems arise.

Question 4: Does your company put a lien on our property?  How soon will it be released when payment in full is made?

Question 5: Again, are there any pending lawsuits against your company?

Question 6: Is your company experienced in this type of work?  How long?

Question 7: May we have the names and addresses of verifiable customer testimonials so that we can call and see for ourselves the work your company has done?

Question 8: Any questions for us?

Question 9: What is the timeline for this job?

Another thing you should do is check with the Solano Water Agency BEFORE any work is done to determine if your project qualifies for a rebate to remove any lawn.

I'm sure many folks may have thought about some of these things, but better to plan than not.