 Start
with the same questions that you'd ask any service provider in order to establish their
stability and responsibility.
• How many years have you
been in business?
• How many employees do
you have?
• Will you provide us
with Client references?
• Are you fully licensed
and insured?
Then move along to more specific
questions:
What Client
projects do you service that are somewhat similar to ours?
An Interiorplantscaper that handles
projects smaller than yours may not be able to stretch.
May we see
photographs, or better still, may we visit some of your other installations?
Where it will not be intrusive,
professional Interiorplantscapers will be happy to show off their work, and they'll be
pleased that you asked.
May we visit your
premises and meet some of your staff?
Professionals will welcome visits.
You'll be able to see
whether or not their company vehicles are fully equipped
and identified with their company logo. Are their employees
neatly groomed and uniformed, and are the premises orderly
and businesslike?
Are your
employees trained and/or accredited?
Several national organizations
accredit Interiorplantscape personnel in horticultural subjects. Many Interiorplantscape
firms have university degreed or certified horticulturists on staff.
Firms should have continuing on-premise training in such professional
subjects as plant health, maintenance procedures and use of pesticides. Further, all
employees will be carefully trained in workplace manners and behavior; they will be
polite; they will not engage your staff in needless conversation or intrude into your
workflow; and they will be particularly mindful of confidentiality.
Are you fully and
properly licensed?
Besides the state and local
licensing required of all businesses, most states require special training and licensing
for pesticide applicators. There are "beneficial" pest control methods available
however, so not all interiorplantscapers use pesticides. Ask.
Are you a member
of any professional organizations?
Some interiorplantscapers belong
to ALCA (Associated Landscape Contractors Association of America) the industry's national
trade association. Some may belong to local or regional trade associations.
Have you received
any peer awards for your work?
ALCA and Interiorscape Magazine
(the tradepaper serving the industry) hold annual, juried competitions and present awards.
Will you submit a
proposal including specific services and costs?
Professional Interiorplantscapers
will do this as a matter of routine. They will supply a detailed proposal listing all
services, length of the contract, terms of payment, up-front installation costs and
continuing maintenance costs. Interiorplantscapers will either sell foliage and containers
outright or offer a lease program.
Our thanks to TOPsiders,
Inc. for the above article. |
