Do you use subcontractors?

We take pride in completing most work ourselves whenever possible. However, some projects may require licensed trades such as plumbers or electricians depending on the scope of work.

Who handles cleanup and disposal after the project?

Cleanup and disposal are important parts of a professional installation. We restore disturbed areas whenever possible so customers are not left with additional repair work after construction is complete.

What are red flags to watch for when hiring a contractor?

High-pressure sales tactics and extremely low bids compared to other estimates can be warning signs. These situations may indicate shortcuts, missing scope items, or unexpected costs later in the project.

What payment terms are typical for construction projects?

Typical payment terms include a scheduling deposit, a payment when work begins, and the remaining balance upon completion. Payment structures may vary depending on project size or special-order materials.

Is there a charge for an estimate?

Most estimates include an initial consultation at no charge. If a custom design is requested, a design fee may apply and is often credited toward the project when hired.

Will the salesperson be involved during the project?

On many projects the estimator or owner remains involved during construction to help ensure the work is completed properly and expectations are met throughout the process.

Who handles permits and regulations?

Permit requirements vary by project. A professional contractor helps identify when permits are needed and handles the necessary approvals before construction begins.

Why are licensing and insurance important when hiring a contractor?

Proper licensing and insurance help protect homeowners from liability and ensure the contractor meets state and industry requirements for performing construction work.

Why does experience and expertise matter when selecting a contractor?

Experience helps contractors anticipate challenges, select appropriate materials, and follow proven installation practices that improve long-term project performance.

Why should homeowners review reputation and references?

Reviews, references, and completed local projects help confirm a contractor’s reliability, workmanship, and consistency before making a hiring decision.

Why are written estimates and contracts important?

Written estimates clearly outline scope, materials, and pricing so homeowners understand what is included before work begins and can avoid misunderstandings later.

Why is communication important during a construction project?

Clear communication helps set expectations, reduce surprises, and ensures both the contractor and homeowner stay aligned throughout the project.

Tips on Hiring a Pro

Hiring a contractor is an important decision that directly affects the quality, durability, cost, and timeline of your project. We created this section to help homeowners during the discovery phase of planning their project—when gathering information, comparing contractors, and understanding what questions to ask matters most. The right contractor should demonstrate experience, clear communication, proper installation methods, and a proven history of completed local work. Taking time to review credentials and expectations early helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures your project moves forward safely and professionally from the start.

- Creative Landscape by Design: We are registered with the state of Ohio; we carry full auto/ business insurance along with workers compensation. During the pandemic, there was a high influx of contractors needed to keep up with the high demand and a lot of fly-by-night companies came to the rescue, be careful.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We have been mastering our craft for 30 plus years and have a wide array of pictures to prove it.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We pride ourselves on our reputation and strong work ethic. We will often show potential customers’ previous projects, while they are in the discovery phase. We also have several positive reviews online, make sure to check them out.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We try our best to accommodate our clientele, we do our best to break down costs and all the options available on the current project being bid on.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We pride ourselves on answering as many questions as possible to potential customers may have. We put ourselves in their shoes, knowing trust in both parties are a very important part of completing any project.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We do our best to stay on track with upcoming projects. However, mother nature, and other factors can play a big role in this. So, we always tell customers to have patience and if we are running behind, we will let them know. Furthermore, if a contractor is not busy during peak season this is not a good sign, a good contractor should normally be a busy contractor.
- Creative Landscape by Design: Most of our contract payment terms are 10% for scheduling, 40% more once work has begun and the rest upon completion of the project. These terms can change based on the project size or if a special-order item is required. We also now offer financing for projects over 5k.
· Creative Landscape by Design: We seldom charge for an estimate, if there is a charge we notify the customer prior. We provide most of our estimates for free, this usually includes up to an hour of free consultation. During that time, we will give the customer an approximation of the cost of the project before we offer our design services. If the potential customer requests a custom design, there would be a minimal charge that would be credited to the project’s cost when hired. Typical designs take 3-5 hours to complete, we have some of the best design software available to help customers visualize their upcoming project.
· Creative Landscape by Design: Usually the owner is the one giving the estimates and is very knowledgeable. He usually is also on bigger projects making sure the job is being done right the first time. This gives the customer an extra piece of mind during the project’s process of completion.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We will let you know if your project needs a permit to the best of our knowledge, we will also retain all necessary permits for your project. This is why you are hiring a professional contractor.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We do our best to break down quotes, so the customer has several choices to choose from. This is the area where prices can range from one contractor to another. For example, a contractor presenting a superior deck product can often be double the price. Sometimes, you get what you pay for so be careful choosing a contractor solely on price.
- Creative Landscape by Design: Our contracts have warranties on several of the services we provide and terms. Meanwhile, products such as decking will have the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We pride ourselves in not using many subcontractors. We are a firm believer that if you hired us, it should be us doing the work. We take pride in our workmanship. However, sometimes the project may need the attention of more workers or skilled tradesman like plumbers or electricians.
- Creative Landscape by Design: We are more than a deck builder or a fence installer, we are a professional landscaping company, we fix the mess that we created at the end of the project. This is always important to consider when choosing a contractor. Often concrete contractors will install a new patio and then tell the customer after the fact that they need to call a landscaper to fix the damage done to their lawn. This often leads to their pricing to be lower winning the bid.
- High-pressure sales tactics or demands for immediate decisions.
- Extremely low bids compared to others (may indicate cutting corners or hidden costs).
- Creative Landscape by Design: Lastly the most important part of choosing the right contractor for your project and budget is to way all your options and trust your instincts.

* CAUTION* By carefully evaluating these factors, you can increase the likelihood of hiring a qualified, reliable contractor who will deliver quality work on time and within budget.

Tips on Hiring a Pro

Licensing and Insurance

Experience and Expertise

Reputation and References

Written Estimates and Contracts

Communication and Professionalism

Project Timeline

Payment Terms

Is There a Charge for Estimate

Will the Salesperson be Working on the Project

Permits and Regulations

Quality of Materials

Warranties and Guarantees

Subcontractors

Cleanup and Disposal

Red Flags to Watch For

Gut Feeling

*** CAUTION*** By carefully evaluating these factors, you can increase the likelihood of hiring a qualified, reliable contractor who will deliver quality work on time and within budget.

* CAUTION* By carefully evaluating these factors, you can increase the likelihood of hiring a qualified, reliable contractor who will deliver quality work on time and within budget.