As an owner of a small landscape design / build company, I'm just curious how many of you owners are hands on with every project.
Not only that, but how many of you actually check, not just walk by and look at, the quality of work that your employees are doing?
I'm posting this because I have run into several situations recently where we have sub'd contractors to do some planting for us.
The first smaller job we went over everything and left. The other company was well established and had some knowledge. When I went back to check on things, I noticed 3" - 4" of soil piled on top of the root balls. To me, that's a no-no.
The second project involved a slightly larger company whose owner let his guys work alongside of me. Again, when I return to the job after 2 appointments, my Jap. Maples are still tied up tight with burlap and twine all the way around the stem. Same with my W. Coast Schip Laurels.
The real icing on the cake came on the first day, believe it or not. I'm walking from my truck and happen to watch their Bobcat come across the front yard moving about 3/4 speed. Not only was he travelling with the bucket fully raised but he had another guy in the bucket!
Having been through a major accident on the jobsite years ago which involved an employee and recklessness, my heart froze as I could picture the bobcat tipping at any second.
So, how well do you monitor your guys?
Have you assumed that they know how to do basic planting?
Do you check on the depth of the plants and see if they buried half of the bottom branches?
Do you look at all the cuts on a paver job or is it just a quick glance at the patio as a whole?
These little things are important.
And it's important that everyone can do them right.
Unless you are content on sacrificing some of your standards.
