A practical checklist for comparing landscape designers and contractors before committing to a project.
1. Check relevance, not just portfolio size
Look for completed work similar in scale, style and site conditions to your project.
2. Ask who designs and who delivers
Understand whether design, procurement, construction and maintenance are managed by one team or several subcontractors.
3. Compare detailed scopes
The lowest price may exclude drainage, soil, irrigation upgrades, foundations, electrical work or establishment maintenance.
4. Review plant and material specifications
Generic allowances make it difficult to compare quality. Sizes, species, finishes and quantities should be defined.
5. Confirm project supervision
Ask who will be on site, how quality is checked and how changes are approved.
6. Understand warranties and aftercare
Clarify workmanship warranties, plant replacement conditions and the maintenance required to preserve coverage.
7. Assess communication quality early
Slow, vague or inconsistent communication before appointment usually becomes more difficult during construction.
How Green Zen approaches this
Green Zen Landscapes assesses the property, intended use, climate exposure, maintenance expectations and existing infrastructure before recommending a design or specification. This avoids generic solutions and keeps the finished garden coherent, practical and suited to UAE conditions.