How to Pick a Contractor

By - Glenn Young

Choosing the right company to plant your Lawn is as important as the type of grass you are planting. You might want to ask yourself: “How good a lawn do I want?”

 Most people want a great lawn at a fair price. Others just want something at the cheapest price. But everyone wants “Their Money’s Worth” and the reality is “You Get What You Pay For!”  Last, but not least, you do not want to feel “Ripped Off”.

So research ahead:

1.      Check to see what Companies are members of the “BBB”, Better Business Bureau, and if they have had any complaints. If they did have complaints, how did they handle them?

2.      Ask Neighbors, friends, relatives or your builder who they have used in the past & who they recommend.

3.      Check in the Company’s ads for the length of time they have been in business. If they are still in business after several years, they must be doing something right.

4.      Try to learn a bit of information on Hydro-Planting to give you some insight into the process and what to expect.

5.      Does the Contractor sound like a “Teacher” and give you his time freely. Does he explain what is needed before, during and after planting? Or does he say: “We will spray it on & you will water it …. It works … Cost is $987.00 …. Call me when you are ready.”

6.      Does the company give you written instructions on how to fulfill your responsibilities during the germination and new growth periods?

7.      Does the Company “Warranty” their work? What length of time? Does it cover “Washing” and “Germination”? Or is it a “No Warranty” type of job?

A Contractor membership in the Better Business Bureau shows he is interested in doing good work and supports the efforts of the BBB. If you have problems with a contractor, the BBB will help you resolve disputes.

Asking your neighbors and friends who they used and hearing about the success and ease of getting their lawns completed may be the best way to get info on finding a contractor. The length of time a contractor has been in business does not necessarily indicate that he does great work, but that he has made enough money to stay in business. If he is good, past customers will recommend him.

Learning a bit of information on Hydro-Planting will give you insight into the process and what to expect. This helps you find that contractor who will go the extra mile to insure you get the lawn you want, using the best materials and modern techniques available.  If you find a “Teaching” type of contractor, he will teach you what is needed before, during and after the planting which insures your success in the growth of your lawn. A written “Watering & Maintenance” sheet will also help you remember what the contractor told you to do.

To Warranty or not to warranty … Ask yourself, “How good a lawn do I want?” Yes, you can save a few dollars by buying the no warranty, but not much. The cost savings, at most, would be a half penny to a penny per square foot. In some areas, with heavy rain, the possibility of washing increases. This extra cost, for a good warranty, is well worth it. Expect all warranties to be for a limited time, for the job of the contractor is to help you during the germination and initial growth period, not forever. Maintenance is your responsibility and necessary for keeping the lawn healthy. A good time period for a warranty might be:

 (1) Until the first cutting:  This is “OK”, but can be a little vague about when the warranty ends. I have seen customers not mow their lawn at all, trying to prevent voiding the warranty, which is unhealthy for the lawn.

(2) For 30 days:  This is “OK” for most grasses, but there are slower grasses that might take more time to complete. If it rains and washes in the second week & the contractor only makes it back to repair in the third week, will the warranty last until your lawn is completed satisfactorily?

(3) For 60 or 90 days:  This should cover the time required by slow grasses and potential washing repairs, giving the contractor time to fix problems that might arise.

(4) For 1 year:  This is a bit overboard as your contractor only has responsibility to help you with germination and growth in the first few weeks. Anything past that period is maintenance controlled or an act of God … Example: You have a contractor plant the lawn in June and it grows well. That next winter there are heavy freezing rains with snow that severely damage the lawn. This is not the fault of the contractor or the homeowner, but the cost of repair would be at the homeowner’s expense. If the contractor covered the cost, his initial price for planting the lawn would need to be much higher.

Ultimately, the success of your new lawn is in the care you give it during germination, new growth and future maintenance. That is why it is important the contractor gives you a watering and maintenance sheet to help teach you the best techniques for caring for your lawn, the maintenance requirements and an understanding of the “needs” of the type of grass you have planted. This alone will highly increase the success rate of your new lawn.

Good Luck & Happy Growing