ASSOCIATION MAINTENANCE SERVICES, LLC

What you should know about hiring a landscaper.

What you should know about hiring a landscape service or landscaper to install, or maintain your home, association, or office grounds.

Insurance is an important part of hiring any service or contractor that is coming on your property. Without proper insurance you the homeowner can be found liable and at fault for any damages or injuries on your property. AMS LLC carries Workman's compensation with State Fund of Arizona. AMS LLC carries business insurance with Allied insurance company through The Mohoney Group.

Workman's compensation insurance covers employees if they are injured on your property, employees can collected loss wages from the injury that may have occurred during work at your home. Without this insurance you the homeowner can be found liable for any injuries occurring on your property for not making certain that a service or company you hire is insured. This type of insurance that is mandatory to have by the State of Arizona. Many companies work without this policy. AMS LLC carries Workman's compensation with State Fund of Arizona.

Business liability insurance covers property damage and injuries that occur to any other than an employee of the company. If a window is shattered this policy will pay for the cost of replacement, and if a rock were to fly out and injure anyone else who is not employed by the company that person will have all there medical bills paid with this type of coverage. Although this policy is not required by law it is very important to find out if the company you hire has this type of coverage. It can protect you the homeowner if the injured party decides to take you to court since you did not make certain that the service or company you hire is insured. AMS LLC carries business insurance with Allied insurance company through The Mohoney Group.

License bond covers you if you hire a landscape company to do an installation job, and it requires money down to get started and if the landscaper is incompetent to finish or even begin the job. The bond will kick in after the landscaper no longer responds to completing the job in a timely manner, and makes certain you either get your money back or the reserve fund for residential landscape installation only can hire another landscaper to complete the job at no cost to you, but at the cost of the original landscaper. AMS LLC carries a bond with International Business & Mercantile Reassurance Company for both residential and commercial.

Credibility is important since a lot a people can do a service well, it is not always easy to find a company that can schedule, delegate, return calls, provide easy to understand service, and integrity, and up front honesty. Lots of customers know what they want but it is up to the professionals to educate them and steer them into right direction while giving them the choices for the customer to make the right decisions. Always check with your local Better Business Bureau and State Registrar of Contractors to see the history and credit each company has with the public.

Know what you are paying for is very important since many small services can give you a great price to mow the grass, but that is all they want to do. Hiring a company that is educated and is keeping updated on new pruning and planting techniques is important, but knowing what you are getting for your money is what will keep you happy with a service for years and years. Ask questions like is hauling included, what does fertilize cost and how often is it applied, how often are bushes trimmed, and ect..

• KNOW WHAT YOU WANT FROM A LAWN SERVICE: Lawn care companies provide many services, including mowing, maintenance, aeration, seeding, landscaping, fertilization, pest control applications, and tree care.
• FIND OUT WHICH COMPANIES PROVIDE SERVICE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD: Ask your neighbors or friends for a recommendation.
• ASK FOR A LAWN INSPECTION AND A FREE ESTIMATE FOR SERVICE: Services that quote a price without seeing your lawn cannot be sure what your lawn might need.
• ASK ABOUT THE PRICE SYSTEM AND WHAT SERVICES ARE INCLUDED: Lawn services may offer a yearly contract or a simple verbal agreement giving the customer the right to discontinue service at any time. Find out what happens if you have a problem between contracts. Will the service calls be free or is there a charge.
• CONSIDER ANNUAL COSTS VS. COST PER APPLICATION: Many companies allow you to pay after each treatment and may offer a discount if you pay the annual cost up front.
• GET A WRITTEN AGREEMENT ABOUT COSTS AND SERVICES BEFORE YOU PAY: Document the duration and expected results of the lawn service.
• LOOK FOR GUARANTEES AND REFUND POLICIES: Some services may offer a guarantee of performance. Others may offer refunds if they fall to meet your expectations.
• MAKE SURE THE SERVICE IS LICENSED TO APPLY LAWN CARE PRODUCTS AS REQUIRED BY STATE LAW: Check with your state Department of Agriculture or Environmental Department for details.
• LOOK FOR PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP: A service membership in one or more professional lawn care associations and active participation in the local community is a positive sign. Professional organizations keep members informed on new developments in pest control methods, safety, training, research and regulations. Most associations have a code of ethics for members to follow. Affiliation with a professional group is one indication that a company strives for quality in its work.
• GET A BUSINESS AND COMPLAINT REPORT: For further information on the companyıs service record, contact your local Better Business Bureau.

To learn more about lawn care, contact the following:

• YOUR LOCAL BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
• FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION at 877.FTC.HELP (877.382.4357)
• THE LAWN INSTITUTE
• PROFESSIONAL LAWN CARE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA at 800.458.3466
• TURFGRASS PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION

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