I'm changing my warranty!

[MuirView Design]

I made the decision to change the warranty on my plantings. I've always done a year on everything across the board. I've decided to start excluding perennials all together as it has been very frustrating to have to drive 45 minutes to replace $10 worth of plants. I've also changed my contract wording to cover all trees and shrubs for the remainder of the growing season and for one month into the spring. My thinking is that if the plant survives the winter and pushes growth in the spring, then I did my job. I've gotten burned this year with plants that I put in last fall that survived the winter, flourished in the spring, then up and died in the middle of summer. I know for a fact that it was neglect and lack of water during the heat, but it's a hard point to argue without being the bad guy. So, I'm left spending hundreds of dollars in materials and labor, to replace items that have done well for 8 months+, to then just mysteriously die. It's very frustrating.

I don't know, I may be off base, but I feel like if I do my job properly, the plants will grow and survive after winter. If the homeowner does their job, the plant or tree will survive permanently. There is just a big gray area when it comes to proving why a plant died, and it's really a no win for us as contractors.

How do you guys handle your plant warranties?

[ClearValley]

Mine is similar in time I will try to post a copy of the conditions I apply.

[ClearValley]

Plant Guarantee:

ClearValley Landscaping provides a one year guarantee on all plant material. Plants are living things and are subject to many variables not all of which can be guaranteed. Please Read this Document Fully, to better understand your guarantee.

ClearValley Landscaping will select plants individually based on a variety of factors to insure we provide each homeowner with the best possible plant material available.
ClearValley Landscaping will follow the highest standards of the proper placement and planting.
ClearValley Landscaping will occasionally have to make changes at the job site to plant species and/or varieties because available plants fail to meet ClearValley Landscaping’s standards.
Customer will be provided one plant walk through at a local nursery to examine plants that are included in landscape plan.

Customer agrees to follow watering instructions provided by ClearValley Landscaping.
Customer agrees to regularly examine plant material and inform ClearValley. Landscaping if any problems arise.
ClearValley Landscaping is not responsible for excessive foliar damage or breakage of plant material as a result of excessive winds.

Customer agrees to provide a treatment of Wilt-Pruf (an anti-desiccant that provides protection from winter damage) on all broadleaf evergreens and needled evergreens (conifers) ClearValley Landscaping can provide this at an additional cost. To be applied in the late fall.

ClearValley Landscaping IS / IS NOT providing a deer resistant landscape package.

Customer understands that failure to meet these responsibilities will void the one year plant guarantee.

____________________________________ _________________________________
Customer/ date Customer/ date


ClearValley Landscaping/ date

[Mbella]

Adam, I do not offer a warranty with standard pricing for my plantings. I do offer a warranty at an additional charge.

I like that approach for a couple of reasons....First, the customer usually decides not to pay the extra money for the warranty and we are off the hook. If they don't water enough (which is usually the problem) we don't get the call.

Second, for the ones that do purchase the warranty, it seems they are the ones that care more and take care of their plant material regardless...resulting in very few calls.

[mrusk]

No irrigation no warranty.


I don't know how anyone could do it any other way.

[NCSULandscaper]

ive always had 1 year warranty on shrubs and trees and 6 month of perennials and ill probably always keep it that way. Now there are limitations in my contract that warranty in void if death is caused by neglect, mother nature, etc. But i also have the advantage of being the grower for the plants, so if we do get a call, then i may be out a few bucks for the time in the plant, and ive encountered numerous times when you go out to replace the shrubs, the customer finds another project they are interested in

[JZap]

We offer one year on all installed trees and shrubs. we changed to 6 months on perennials this year and it has paid off for the same reason Adam. I find myslef trying out of my way to replace one perennial. We have no warranty on sod, transplants or annuals. Also, our contract states, like many others, that the job has to be paid within 7 days of completion and the customer must provide reasonable care (i.e. watering, mulch) or all warranties are void. We take the time to explain the proper care of the plants when the job is finished. It's important to educate the customer on your expections of them to ensure proper care is taken.

[ClearValley]

I don't know how specific we can get on pricing but I have have a large mark up on plants. If a customer negotiates I will offer to reduce the plant price but there will be no warranty. It seems that when I stress losing the warranty they stop negotiating but as JZap mentioned education lessens replacements. I send out blanket e-mails when hot and dry reminding them to water, spray for Jap Beetle, bagworms lace bug etc. Also using and selling Wilt Pruf is huge. I rarely lose EG's to winter kill regardless of how late I plant and the mark is good.No guarantee on perrenials too fickle....

[Lawn Enforcement]

I only warranty the plant. So, if they want it replaced they still pay for a service call to dig out the old and plant the new. If they don't want the service call, I will have their plant available for pick-up at the local nursery and then they take care of it.

Seems to work for me, I don't install a lot of plants though.

[Harmony Design Group]

Hi Adam
A great idea is to sub contract an irrigation company mark up the installation on the irrigation and offer an additional year guaranty on the plants. Also some companies will offer a lifetime warranty on new plant material if the client signs up for a bed maintenance contract. Maybe 4-5 visits a year. Prune, fertilize, weed, mulch, pre emergent herbicide in beds. This allows for up sales and if you maintain the plants your crew will monitor the landscape.

[mrusk]

No irrigation no warranty on plants. ALL plants get drip irrigation on my jobs.