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Why Hire Certified Landscape Professionals?08-13-15 | News

Why Hire Certified Landscape Professionals?
Promoting Certification

Ron Zaccaro, general manager for MSE Landscape Professionals, talked about "Why Hire Certified: Presentations About Local Certification Programs," at San Diego Landscape Water Conference held at SDG&E Energy Innovation Center on August 6.
Photo: Larry Shield

In a state where only about one of out 10 landscape contractors is licensed, it's important to let clients know about your qualifications. In California a license is required for any landscape improvements of more than $500 in value. That protects the home owner associations and gives the licensed landscape contractors more leverage.

"We want to improve landscape contractors' reputation in the industry," said California Landscape Contractors Association president-elect Steve Jacobs at San Diego Landscape Water Conference held at SDG&E Energy Innovation Center on August 6. "We're promoting certification and water management programs."

As a certified landscape technician Jacobs said he has to show competence in managing water at a property site. First time test takers only pass about 5 percent of the time, which includes maintenance, construction and irrigation parts of the exam.

"With the CLCA we help make laws and take a proactive approach in California," said Jacobs.

Certified water managers assess the property, calculate the square footage of turf and shrubs. They then establish a water budget, said Patrick Crais, CEO of bluewatchdog.

"We need to have landscape contractors participate on a weekly basis, so they can manage a water budget," said Crais. "They need to pinpoint water waste and make the system compliant. Put an irrigation meter at the shut off valve so they know what the water bill is. I take a holistic approach looking at the situation, water usage and plant palette, which is critical."

"With certification, there's a constantly changing program," said Ron Zaccaro, general manager for MSE Landscape Professionals. "We have training materials so they can work on the written and hands-on portions of the exam. Performing hardscape and softscape installations in front of a judge is a good measure for a landscape contractor in the field."