Global News Calgary recently reported that there has been an upsurge in lawn care service complaints this year, after the Better Business Bureau issued a warning of more than the usual amount of complaints. Customers have been getting bombarded with flyers and ads offering what appear to be great deals, however the services provided have not been up to par.
As families and property owners work to make the best out of their outdoor spaces, there’s a landscaping boom happening right now in Alberta. Another Global News article reported that landscapers like us at Mirage are doing well despite the uncertain times we are in, however the uptick in demand is leaving customers vulnerable. Here are a few tips for ensuring you get what you expect from your landscaping contractor as we look to design and maintain our properties to happily (and safely), socialize outdoors.
Landscaping contractor red flags
Many of the complaints referenced in the first Global News article are from clients who were just not happy with the work done by the landscaping company they contracted. One was promised an aeration, power rake, and hand rake, and all they got was a “haphazard” power rake and a mess made out of his property.
Things to watch out for to avoid getting taken by a not-so-scrupulous company include:
- Be wary of any offer you did not expect. A company offering unrequested estimates is often a bad sign.
- Extremely cheap offers, or anything “too good to be true,” are unfortunately those to be the most suspect of.
- Any sort of offer that expires right away or tries to get you to act fast is a potential red flag.
When contacting a landscaping contractor to arrange for services, make sure to get a written quote detailing all of the tasks they are promising to complete, plus details of the expected payment. Payment should only be requested once a job has been completed to expectation, and it’s also suggested that consumers pay with a credit card to take advantage of the additional security options available.
Do your homework (it doesn’t take long)
As with any purchase, don’t act impulsively when choosing a landscaping contractor. It really only takes a few minutes to check out reviews for a company you may be interested in doing business with. Keep in mind that companies that refuse to be reviewed online are likely protecting themselves against negative commentary. Companies that are happy to have their customers talk about them, and who react quickly and appropriately when criticism arises, are the ones you want to deal with.
Mirage Landscaping has a 4.8 out of a 5-star rating on Houzz.com, 4.6 out of 5 stars on Facebook, and 4.4 out of 5 on Google Reviews. Just a couple of the comments that reinforce our commitment to great work, all the time include:
“Mirage landscaping has been maintaining my residential lawn in the summer, and my sidewalks in the winter. They are all extremely personable and my yard is one of the best on the block now. Thank you Mirage for your great work!” (Google Reviews)
“Totally happy with Mirage Landscaping! They have transformed my garden at a VERY reasonable cost. I had some work done 7 years ago and was wanting an extension of my patio and some other work done and I could not be happier. The crew … were so knowledgeable, hardworking, accommodating, collaborative and amazing. If you want something done in Calgary, call them!!” (Google Reviews)
“My experience was amazing! Firstly, out of four companies contacted they were the only ones to call back. The office staff were prompt, friendly, and professional. Their estimate was very reasonable and they didn’t make any false promises. They have totally exceeded all expectations. The crew of three … were so hardworking, professional and dedicated to doing the best job possible. My garden has been transformed. Nothing was too much trouble even with a change order. I can’t recommend them more. You will not be disappointed.” (Houzz.com)
Finding your landscaping contractor
Quite often, our landscaping contractor referrals come from other customers who are happy with our work, which is the very best way to earn clients. We are always glad to hear our landscape construction and landscape maintenance projects have made a lasting impression. It’s great when we get to meet the friends of our friends, too. The best part is, referrals make it easier for you to be more relaxed with us right off the bat, which always results in the best finished product.
If you are looking for someone to spruce up your commercial or residential property and have not been able to find a decent recommendation through your friends and family, we highly recommend doing some additional online research beyond reviews.
To ascertain whether your potential landscaping contractor is someone you will be able to work with, also take a look at their website. A landscape professional you can trust will have a comprehensive website complete with descriptions of their services and an easy way to contact the company. Landscaping companies should also be able to present a well-rounded portfolio with professional photos of all the different types of projects they have completed. Examples could include lawn care, landscape designs, retaining walls, fences, brickwork, water features, decks, and more.
Mirage Landscaping are landscaping contractors you can trust
With three generations of experience amongst our very talented crew, we are very proud of what we do at Mirage Landscaping. We live where we work, and specialize in serving the southeast area of Calgary, including the communities of:
Auburn Bay, Chaparral, Chaparral Valley, Copperfield, Cranston, Douglasdale, Heritage Pointe, Lake Bonavista, Mahogany, McKenzie Lake, Mackenzie Towne, Maple Ridge, New Brighton, Odgen/Lynwood/Millican, Parkland, Riverbend, Sundance, Walden, and Willow Park.
To get started, check out our portfolio and contact us for a free project estimate.
