Hardscape in Leawood: Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring

Choosing a contractor for your hardscape in Leawood can be tough. Lucky for you, at GD Services, we have all the insider tips. After many years in this business, we’ve seen it all and know how to spot hardscaping red flags.

As members of this great community, we want to share our wealth of knowledge. To get the scoop on red flags to watch out for when picking a hardscaper, keep reading!

1. They’re Hard to Get in Touch With

Hardscapers are busy driving, hauling, excavating, and just generally getting their hands dirty. A job site is not an easy place to pick up the phone, so waiting a couple days to hear from them is not always cause for concern. But if you’re consistently unable to reach a hardscaper, it might be a red flag.

An experienced and organized hardscaper should have an established process for reaching and meeting new customers. If there’s no clear way to learn about what they offer or at least contact them, that’s not a great sign.

Communication at GD Services

From our website to our complimentary consultations, GD Services is a well-oiled communication machine. If you ever have questions about our services, you can find answers on our regularly updated site. We also share blog posts every month to give you an insider look at our business.

In addition to the website, we make a huge effort to be accessible. We always try to contact you within 24 hours of your reaching out. Some owners are around at first, but disappear shortly after you sign your contract. George, our fearless leader, is different. He’ll be directly involved with your project from start to finish.

2. They Can Show Up Right Away

Building a hardscape in Leawood takes some time, and you want to start enjoying your outdoor space as soon as possible. So when a contractor says they can start tomorrow, you’re thrilled! Unfortunately, an empty schedule isn’t always good, and can actually be a red flag.

If a hardscaper says they can start right away, you should be wondering a few things. Why can they show up right away?Do they not have any existing customers? Are they neglecting ongoing projects to grab another check?

As we mentioned, hardscaping projects take some time. If they are professional hardscapers who get regular projects, their schedule shouldn’t be so wide open. If they aren’t working on big projects on a regular basis, it can mean they’re more of a DIY-er than a hardscaper.

Scheduling With GD Services

A wait time might not sound ideal, but it’s a green flag. We are experienced hardscapers with ongoing customers and projects because we are good at what we do. Our schedule is laid out ahead of time, so we can ensure the materials and logistics needed for a project are ready in advance.

If a hardscaper can show up that week, chances are, you’ll experience many delays as they scramble to order what your yard needs. We know from first-hand experience that vendors prefer not to operate last minute. By working ahead of schedule, we’ve developed great relationships with our vendors. That trust and respect is valuable to completing hardscaping projects.

3. Their Crew Is Temporary

Building a beautiful outdoor space is largely dependent on building an exceptional crew. This takes time and high expectations. If someone is temporarily hiring their employees, that can be a red flag. Many contractors hire w-9 employees that come and go with each job. This can turn out fine, but chances are, their staff is not as solid as it could be.

Temporary workers don’t have the same commitment or accountability as a long-term crew. You’re more likely to see tardiness, absences, and poor workmanship for a hardscape in Leawood when these tenets are missing.

In fact, studies show that businesses that use temporary workers are not as efficient as those who employ a permanent staff. We cannot stress the importance of seeking a hardscaper with a permanent crew enough.

The GD Services Team

At GD Services, we have built a trusted and skilled team over the years. Every member of our team is a permanent employee held to the same consistently high standards. Our crew is also uniformed, so you know exactly who is outside of your home at all times. The entire GD Services team is professional and devoted to their trade.

Using our website, you can even get to know our crew before hiring us! We’ve evolved into a strong, reliable team through many hardscaping projects together. This makes us an efficient, organized, and dependable hardscaping business.

4. They Don’t Have Their Own Equipment

Owning your own equipment makes hardscaping much more efficient. There is no waiting on availability or struggling to find the right rental machines. If a contractor tells you they’ll need a few days to rent the necessary equipment, that could be a red flag.

This can mean they don’t have extensive experience using that machinery and are more likely to make mistakes or take longer than needed. In some unique cases, a hardscaper may need to rent a specialty machine. But with standard hardscaping equipment, a professional hardscaper should already own the tools needed to perform their job.

Equipment Ownership at GD Services

GD Services is a hardscaping business at its roots. We specialize in patios, pathways, retaining walls, outdoor kitchens, landscaping, lighting, and more. We own everything we need to complete a hardscape in Leawood because that’s our bread and butter. Without our own machinery, our work would be much more unpredictable.

Rental machines are challenging to rely on. You don’t know how they run until you’re on the ground, and every machine tends to have its quirks. The most concerning element of renting your equipment is knowing if it’ll be available when you need it.

Another renter could go over their rental time, a machine could get damaged just before you’re supposed to pick it up—the reasons go on and on. Managing our own equipment makes us more flexible and dependable than our competitors.

5. Their Services Are Remarkably Cheap

We understand the appeal of a low price—who doesn’t? But if they are cheap with you, chances are their work is cheap too. This impacts the quality of materials used, the effort put into installation, and the look of the finished product.

Choosing a cheaper contractor can mean choosing a lackluster outdoor space.

The cheaper a service is, the more likely it won’t last you long. We see durability issues from other contractors all the time; it’s one of the clearest signs of inexperience. Another significant issue with cheap work is the lack of safety measures. Building strong foundations and running resilient wiring takes time, which can be neglected when the check is small.

The Pricing at GD Services

Like most things, you’ll be able to find offers that are cheaper than others as well as ones that are more expensive. What you won’t find is work that is more fairly priced. We charge the rates we do to match the grade of materials we use, the amount of knowledge we bring to a project, and the quality of the hardscapes we build.

Our pricing guarantees a dependable crew will show up to your home or establishment and supply the hardscape in Leawood you asked for. GD Services pays immense attention to creating durable and safe outdoor spaces. From carefully buried wires to weather-proofed surfaces, you can rest easy at night knowing your yard is in great hands.

About GD Services

If we haven’t made it clear already, GD Services is the right hardscaper. With us, you get the best of both worlds: personable service and premium results. We’re a smaller, tight-knit crew that understands each other’s skillsets. And we know how to deliver on large hardscaping projects day after day while being friendly and genuinely invested in your outdoor space.

When George comes out for a consultation, he’ll be the first to say that you can find somebody cheaper and faster than GD Services. But you’ll also find that those quick, cheap contractors are inattentive, sloppy, and lack passion for their work.

At his first visit, George often shares the ways he predicts another hardscaper will skimp on your yard and ultimately cause you long-term headaches. He’ll also tell you how we do it the right way—with our attention to detail, knowledge of the craft, and commitment to the work.

Avoid the Hiring Hassle & Contact the Right Hardscaper Today

We’ve given you the tools to go out and find the best builder for your needs. With our tips about communication, scheduling, employees, equipment, and pricing, you have the inside scoop on hardscapers. This can help you make sure your outdoor space is properly completed.

So, get out there and make your hardscape dreams come true! Or, if you want to skip the hours of research, days of phone tag, and uncomfortable consultations, click the button below to meet with GD Services. We are your one-stop-shop for advice, information, and a hardscape in Leawood. Our crew looks forward to hearing from you.

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