6 Things You Should Ask Your Landscape Supply Company

If you’re a landscaper who’s looking for a new supplier – or if you’re interested in starting a landscaping business – your supply company will ultimately play a major role in your ability to provide excellent customer service. Being an expert in the area, Staker Parson developed the six questions below to help you choose the right landscape supply company for your individual needs.

1.   Do you cater to residential, commercial, and industrial landscaping needs?

While you may not provide commercial or industrial landscaping services now, there’s a good chance that you want to keep that opportunity in the back of your mind for the future. Hiring a landscape supplier that can provide you with all the materials you will need for any project – even huge industrial-sized projects – will save you time and plenty of headaches later down the road.

2.   Can you supply large quantities of materials on short notice?

No matter what kind of services your company offers, there will inevitably come a time when you will need to get your hands on a large number of materials – and fast – to satisfy a client or customer. Ask your landscape supply company if they can fulfill that need should it ever arise. Better still, ask them what their typical turnaround time is for large orders. This will help you better understand what to expect from them in the future.

3.   Are you solely a materials provider or do you also sell equipment?

There are different types of landscape supply companies out there. Some will sell you only the materials you need for building patios, driveways, and other hardscapes, but others will also sell you the equipment you need to get the job done. Sometimes it can save you money to partner with a supplier who can do it all. Ask the supply company about the breadth of their offerings and use that information to plan accordingly.

4.   What is your primary area of focus?

Landscape supply companies come in all different shapes and sizes. Some of them are full service, meaning they will sell you anything and everything, from a sapling to tons of quality sand. Other companies tend to focus on just one aspect of landscaping, such as hardscaping, and they do it very well. Once again, there are benefits to either approach, so weigh them carefully and choose suppliers who can meet all of your needs.

5.   What areas do you serve?

Sometimes it comes as a shock to learn that a concrete truck will travel out of town to one location, but not to yours. There are numerous factors that ultimately determine the areas that a landscape supply company services – especially when it comes to deliveries – so make sure you ask well in advance. Often, these suppliers will require minimum orders for product deliveries, so be sure to ask about this as well.

6.   Can you provide samples of your products on request?

When you’re working with a supply company that offers stone, gravel, sand, pavers, and other similar products, it’s often helpful for you to have samples available – not only for yourself but also for your clients. Keeping these samples in your office can help your customers make better decisions about the type of gravel they want or the way they want their concrete to look.

When it comes time to hire a landscape supply company, it’s important to choose the company (or companies, in some cases) that offer you the best value for your money as well as excellent service. These six questions will certainly help you make better decisions for yourself and your business. Having been in the business for decades, Staker Parson is a premium supplier of landscape products and services. You can lean on us to supply all of your needs, and we urge you to give us a call today!