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Can We All Just Get Along: 9 Keys to Healthy Relationships Between Landscape Designers andLandscape Contractors
How does a landscape designer ensure for a prosperous and beneficial relationship after finding a qualitylandscape contractor or other sub-contractor? Fortunately this doesn't have to be difficult. Just followthese 9 important steps.
9. Have the landscape project site prepared for your landscape contractor
If you want to frustrate your landscape contractor beyond belief, schedule them to start and not have thesite ready for them when they show up--it's not pretty. Landscape contractors want to run efficiently justas we do. Respect this and ensure the site is ready for them to begin their work. This can include havingmaterials on site, any staking and tagging that needs to be done and other construction trades out of theway.
8. Nurture your relationship beyond the project site
Building a positive and friendly relationship beyond your landscape businesses can lead to trust andrespect which carries over to the project site. There are many ways to foster a positive relationship. Youcan take the contractor to lunch or coffee; take them to a baseball game, etc. I know of many companieswho have an annual "contractor appreciation" party.
7. Present opportunities to bid and work on unique projects
Just as landscape designers prefer to work on high-end prestigious projects, so do landscape contractors.Give them the opportunity to take part in projects they can be proud to have their names associated with.Your contractors will invest more of themselves in unique projects and the results will show.
6. Insist on two-way regular communication
 Nothing frustrates me more than when my sub-contractors don't return my phone calls promptly. A closesecond is when a contractor doesn't call me when a landscape design decision needs to be made on site.That said, communication works both ways which means we need to do our best to promptly inform our contractors when schedule changes occur, substitutions are made, etc. Discuss your expectationsregarding communication before you begin working together.
5. Maintain control of the landscape project but don't micromanage
This can be a difficult balancing act. The key is to work with landscape contractors you trust to completethe work to your standards the first time around. Put your trust in them, and let them do their job. Your landscape contractor doesn't want you looking over their shoulder. This leads to hesitant decision makingand frustration on their part.
4. Clearly define the scope of the landscape project
Our landscape contractors want to know
exactly
what they are responsible for on each project. This leadsto more accurate pricing of course. It also leads to less confusion regarding "who's doing what" betweensub-contractors. Here are three ways to clearly define the scope of the landscape project:1. Provide each sub-contractor with a detailed outline of their responsibilities as well as those of the other sub-contractors.2. Provide Construction Documents- this includes landscape construction details as well as
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