Landscaping Business How to Successfully Complete Each Project
You have decided to begin a landscaping business. You have a name. You have a logo. Your marketing materials are all ready to go. Yet before you can start reaching out to clients, it is essential you know what steps to take when completing a landscaping project.
After all, customer satisfaction is the main aim for any type of service business. Your reputation is everything. If your company is plagued with numerous negative reviews on the likes of Google, this is going to cause potential customers to consider other landscaping businesses in the area.
To ensure this doesn’t become a problem, this guide will highlight some of the key points to consider when working on a landscaping project. Follow these tips, and there will be no issues with landing a swathe of five-star reviews for your business.
Work with your client
First of all, you need to work closely with your client to ensure their vision is fully taken into account. Find out what main features they want in their new garden. Also, factor in their budget, as a restricted one is going to limit the number of options you have with the project.
Of course, a customer is working with you so they can benefit from your expertise – which includes your design skills. Yet, it’s not just about imprinting your vision; it is about working together with your client to craft the ideal landscape.
Get the measurements right
It’s an obvious point, admittedly, but one that needs spotlighting. When you are putting together an in-depth plan for a project, you need to start sketching this out with the right measurements in place. If you only stick with a rough outline, this is going to lead to various issues – such as certain garden elements not fitting as expected.
Due to this, you will need to accurately work out the area of the space you’re working on. This starts by working out the perimeter of the garden. Once you have those dimensions, you can work out the area. Want to convert your current unit measurement to another one? GIGA Calculator features a useful area converter where you can convert the area to/from meters, centimeters, yards, square inches, square feet, and so on.
When the measurements are correct, your plans can feature the landscaping features and general design elements you want to include for each project.
Deciding the finer details
Following that first visit, you can start to discuss specifics with your client. This includes their landscape design options. What type of materials do they want to use? What colors do they want to see being incorporated? Which plants, lighting, decorative features, etc., do they want as part of their landscape?
There are other points you also have to agree to in regard to the project. One such point is delivery time, including when you plan to start and finish the work. You will also have to discuss where materials will be placed on the client’s property.
Putting together an estimate
Measurements are not all you’ll be collecting following your initial site visit. It’s also important you gain an understanding of the property’s current condition, along with how construction will be completed. Challenges could arise depending on the layout of the property – it might not be possible to use certain large equipment, for instance.
With all of this information, you can start putting together an estimate for how much the project will cost. You have to cover expenses like materials, equipment, and labor. It’s also wise to consider potential issues that could arise, the type that could cause the project to become more expensive than initially anticipated. Then it’s a case of pricing up the project for your client, ensuring you strike a fine balance where they receive value while you also make a healthy profit.
Communication during the project
The project is underway. You’re slowly but surely turning the client’s vision into a reality. As you go through this process, it is imperative you maintain regular communication with the client. Give them feedback about how the project is progressing. Also, if any problems do come up, don’t sugarcoat these. Be straight with the client and maintain transparency about issues.
Let the client know when the final workday is approaching. In addition, schedule a time where you can go for a final walkthrough. This gives the client a final opportunity to bring up any concerns. If they’re happy, you can hand them an invoice for the rest of the payment and start gathering up your equipment to take with you.