Should You Pay for a Design?

Picking a Partner, Not Just a Price

Part 7 in our series walking you through the entire journey. Darby and RMOL founder Nick Liput walk you through the hardest part of the process: actually choosing your contractor. Once the bids are in and you’ve met with everyone, how do you decide who gets the job? They dig into trust, communication, timelines, company size, and what happens if something goes wrong mid-project. You’ll hear how to vet reviews, ask better questions, spot when you’re dealing with a middleman instead of the actual builder, and why it matters who’s really behind the bid. If you’re down to two or three solid options and feeling stuck, this episode will help you make a confident decision and wraps up this 7 part series. Find us at rmlandscape.net [rmlandscape.net]. We'd love to answer your questions! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Three Bids, Three Different Prices

Part 6 in our series walking you through the entire journey. Darby and RMOL founder Nick Liput walk you through what to do after you receive your bids—and why those numbers are almost always wildly different. They break down how to read a proposal, what real clarity looks like, why materials and allowances matter, and how contractors price projects behind the scenes. If you’ve ever wondered why one bid is triple another or how to compare them fairly, this episode is your guide. Part 6 of our homeowner prep series. Find us at rmlandscape.net [rmlandscape.net]. We'd love to answer your questions! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Post-Consultation Playbook

Part 5 in our series walking you through the entire journey. Darby and RMOL founder Nick Liput break down what really happens after the contractors leave your house. This episode digs into the post-consultation phase—what communication should look like, the positive signals to look for, and the warning signs that someone may not be the right fit. They share how RMOL’s recap process works, why it matters, and how consistent follow-up separates great contractors from the ones who disappear. If you're following the full homeowner prep series, this is the next piece in the roadmap. Find us at rmlandscape.net [rmlandscape.net]. We'd love to answer your questions! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Should You Pay for a Design?

Part 4 in our series walking you through the entire journey. In this episode of Beyond the Build, Nick and Darby break down the design phase—why contractors push it, when you actually need it, and how it protects your budget and your experience. They cover red flags, green flags, real-world change-order horror stories, what good design firms deliver, and how to compare bids apples-to-apples. If you’re about to meet contractors or you’re swimming in conflicting estimates, this one’s a must-listen. Find us at rmlandscape.net [rmlandscape.net]. We'd love to answer your questions! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Choosing the Right Contractor: The In-Home Visit

Part 3 in our series walking you through the entire journey. Darby and Nick walk through what to look for during an in-home consultation with a prospective contractor — the green flags, the red flags, and the signs you’ve found someone who can actually deliver on your project. Perfect for anyone preparing to meet with contractors and wanting to choose the right one with confidence. Find us at rmlandscape.net [rmlandscape.net]. We'd love to answer your questions! ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.