Start searching for the right patio contractor or landscaping company and you’ll realize there aren’t just plenty of choices, but even different types of choices. For instance, some businesses in this industry really amount to one or two guys with a truck and some tools. Others might have dozens of crew members and specialty equipment.

In some cases, you might not need a bigger or more experienced team. But the larger your landscaping project is, the more important it will be for you to work with the company that has the right background and resources.

I’m not making this suggestion just because I started one of the larger landscaping businesses in northeastern Massachusetts. My company is already well known in my area. The recommendation is based more on experience. After working on hundreds of jobs, including massive patio installations and commercial landscaping projects, I’ve seen that size really does matter in some contexts.

Let’s dive into a handful of reasons why you might want to work with a larger, more established patio contractor for your complex residential or commercial landscaping project.

 

Detailed Planning is Everything on Large Patio Contractor Projects

While I’ve mentioned this before in another article, it can never be said enough: complex landscaping projects are as much about planning as they are execution. It’s one thing to lay some pavers for a patio; it’s another to schedule contractors, manage deliveries, and keep teams allocated in a way that prevents them from interrupting one another.

Big jobs have to be managed in phases, with regular checks for quality, progress, and so on. Until you’ve completed several of them it’s difficult to understand how easy it is for things to go off track. And of course, you have to have the right personnel and equipment to handle large-scale operations over a wider area.

None of these details get arranged by accident. It’s all about planning ahead and putting the right pieces in place. Unfortunately, most smaller contractors simply don’t have experience needed to create realistic schedules and timelines for large commercial or residential jobs.

 

You’ll Want Accurate Bids and Timelines

In the same way that putting a large landscaping project together means figuring out the logistical puzzle that is finding and scheduling the right people, it also means organizing schedules and budgets. These are details that are easy to get wrong if you haven’t been through several big jobs in the past.

At first, the resources involved can seem large, or even endless. It can also feel as if there’s plenty of time and money to get everything done. But when you start to put all the details in place you realize funding is almost always tight and there isn’t any time to spare. That’s why smaller companies are usually excited to bid on bigger jobs at first, but often take longer than expected to finish the project and go over budget in the process.

If you want a realistic quote from someone who has completed a project like yours in the past, then you have to find a contractor who understands what it takes to finish large and complex jobs.

 

There Can be Lots of Red Tape to Deal With 

Work on enough large patio contractor projects and you’ll come to realize there is a department, regulation, or zoning permit for just about anything you want to do. If you fail to expect this, or to take red tape into account, you can end up with fines and delays that set you back.

In my business, we have a group of experienced people who specialize in dealing with paperwork. They don’t just have a familiarity with local rules and municipalities, but also have relationships with the relevant authorities. So, if there is a problem or question they know exactly whom to turn to in order to find a quick answer.

Smaller contractors can’t support that kind of staff, meaning they are more likely to get caught by surprise when regulators ask for missing permits. The resulting fines and stoppages can set a project back significantly, either through added costs or delays.

 

Complex Projects Include More Unknowns

I like to say that every property in New England is different. They all have their own charms and challenges. This becomes infinitely more true when you start to expand the space, money, and personnel involved.

The bigger your job is, the more likely you will run into something that no one expected. Unexpected challenges, by definition, can’t be foreseen. It might happen that someone from the community objects to your plans. Maybe there is a sudden shortage of materials. It could be that an entire crew of workers gets food poisoning one afternoon and can’t prepare the site before another subcontractor is due to arrive.

These are just examples, but I think you can follow my logic. The more variables you introduce into a problem the more likely it is something won’t go the way you thought it would. A larger landscaping partner can handle these sorts of issues without incurring noticeable delays. They have more staff to draw on, better vendor relationships, and the experience to find creative solutions.

No one can protect you against every possible landscaping issue, but a larger, more established patio contractor is far less susceptible to long delays.

 

Large Patio Contractor Jobs Call for Experience and Resources

When you really think about it, most of what I’m sharing boils down to common sense. The bigger your landscaping project is, and the more important it is to your home or business, the more carefully you have to think about finding the right set of experts for the job. There is too much on the line to have someone figure things out as they go.

 

If you happen to have a home or business near Saugus, Massachusetts and want to work with the best landscaping team in the region we can help. Contact Stefano’s Landscaping today to arrange for a free on-site consultation. It’s an easy way to get a no-obligation quote and answers to all your questions.