Don't Get Buried by Unscrupulous Landscapers

If you are thinking about giving your yard a facelift, it may be worth it to hire a professional landscaper. Buying and hauling the trees and shrubs, tools and planting materials, and doing all the installation work yourself can be time-consuming. But be warned -- landscapers are not regulated in Florida. Here are some ways to avoid difficulties.

• Do your homework and check the business by asking friends or neighbors for referrals. Call the Consumer Affairs Division at 561-712-6600 (Boca/Delray 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/publicsafety/consumeraffairs/ to see if other consumers have complaints against the landscaper you are considering.
  
  
• Get several estimates. Sometimes the least expensive estimate is not always the best way to go. Get suggestions on what plants
  will work with your property.
  
  
• If possible, go to the nursery and personally inspect the plants you are considering. A plant in a 15-gallon container is a lot different than one in a 45-gallon container.
  
  
• Ask for visual examples of the landscaper’s work or better yet, see if you can visit a home he or she recently did.
  
  
• Get the work order in writing and insist on a signed contract. Make sure the contract is legible and details the size and type of the plants, costs, and any special conditions of the job. Never rely on a hand shake or verbal agreement.
  
  
• Never pay with cash. Use a check or credit card so there is a record of the transaction. Never fully pay for the job until it is completed to your satisfaction.
  
  
• Visit your local library, use the Internet, or contact the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service at 561-233-1700 for hints and tips on landscaping projects.