Landscaping Directory Article - Look Through the Landscape Portfolio
It's often fun to spend some time looking through a landscaper's portfolio, both to see what they've done, and for another opportunity at a reference check.
One of the jobs I have during our landscaping off-season is to update our company portfolio with updated project pictures and information. While it's a job I enjoy, the tedium of sorting through pictures and articles and arranging them is not where the fun lies for me. Rather, I'm proud of the work our company produces, and enjoy the thought of showing off that work to potential clients. This is our only opportunity to show potential clients the kind of work we can do, so I like to show them our best.
And I often get comments from clients about how they enjoy looking through our portfolio, or how instead of making their decisions easier, it made them harder, as they saw some ideas presented in our portfolio that they hadn't thought of. But I'm writing this not simply to tell you to look through a landscaping company's portfolio; as a matter of course they should show it to you without asking. Instead, I'm recommending that you use the portfolio as your own source for references.
My suggestion is simple in concept and execution. As you're looking through a portfolio, when you see projects that you'd really like to see in person, to judge the quality of the work, and possibly chat with that former client, ask the landscaper for that client's information. There's no better way to find out whether a company can do the kind of landscape work you'd like than to see a specific example of what you're after. I suggest you do this for two reasons:
I've known landscape companies that use photos of work that isn't theirs; their websites, yellow pages advertising and portfolios were either partially or wholly plagiarized. If your landscape company isn't willing to furnish some of these client's information, this may be(I repeat, MAY BE) the reason.
You might discover that the project you selected was not a person from the reference list. This doesn't mean they aren't satisfied with the work, or that you can't contact them. But you might discover a different side to the company than the one originally presented. Keep in mind, not everyone wants to be bothered for years to come, answering questions about the landscape work done in their yard. I usually retire clients from the list after three years. They were kind enough to be a reference, they shouldn't have to do it forever.
On a final note, if you do check references and even visit homes where work was done, be respectful of the people whose home you are visiting. They are not obligated in any way to allow you into their yards, and only do so out of kindness. I wouldn't think mentioning this would be necessary, but several years ago I received a call from a former client. They asked "Did you give our name out to other people as a reference?" I told them I had, but only because you had agreed to let us. They responded "Because there is a strange couple walking around in our backyard." From that moment I've always made sure to remind clients to call and ask if they would be permitted to view our work.
Jeff Pozniak is the president of Stonehenge Brick Paving & Landscaping, in Wisconsin. Jeff began working in the landscaping industry in 1985, and also administrates a landscaping discussion forum, the Ground Trades Xchange.
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