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Landscaping Directory Article - Treat Your Landscaper

It seems that many people have forgotten this easy way to build a relationship that can improve the work being done around your home.

When I started working in this industry in 1985, things were different. The people were different. And maybe it's a product of a changing society, or the increased financial demands on the average family, with costs of living going up while pay stays roughly the same; I can't say for sure.

But what I can say for sure is that in general clients just don't seem to be as nice as they used to be. When I was younger, we'd often be offered ice water, lemonade, cookies or even sandwiches. We worked for a client who owned a few pizza franchises, and every afternoon he brought home several large pies for the crew to enjoy. I've enjoyed sandwiches, brats, iced lemonade, eggs, bacon and more from our clients. None of this kindness was ever expected, but it was certainly welcome. And while I'll never know if these clients had ulterior motives, their generosity always had a positive impact on us, which in turn impacted their project.

In any given task there are thousands of small decisions that employees make when installing a landscape. These decisions can include deciding whether to 'make-do' with fewer spikes than needed for paver edge restraint, or traveling to a supplier and picking up more; taking the extra minute to properly seat landscape bed edging into it's trench, or just drop it in quickly and move to the next step. All of these types of decisions are invisible to the client (and sometimes invisible to the foreman), and if they are ever discovered, it won't be until several years have passed, and any warranty on the work has expired. Many of these decisions are influenced by the moment; that's why being kind to the crew installing your landscape can often result in a better project for you (not to mention the inherent benefits of being nice). After all, these guys are human. They are affected by their surroundings, just like anyone else. If they feel appreciated, they'll act accordingly. If they feel untrusted, that feeling will be returned.

My suggestion to improve your landscaping experience is this: offer the crew something. If they decline your offer, follow through on your offer anyway. You'll find most crews will turn down an offer just out of politeness, not wanting to inconvenience the client. But if you present them with an offering, be it ice water, cookies, anything, you'll find that those guys who turned down your offer minutes ago are chugging your lemonade and eating your sandwiches. The good will you generate with this act will be put to work on your project. The extra spikes will be picked up. The extra minute needed to properly seat the bed edging will be spent. An investment of up to $5 might net you hundreds or thousands in returned good will.

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.