When you know your lake is in trouble, it can be tempting to look for quick-fix solutions or just try throwing money at the problem. But even though it seems overwhelming, it pays to do your research when it comes to restoring your lake’s ecosystem and putting nature back in balance. When interviewing lake restoration companies, of course you’ll ask questions about price, timing, safety, and results. We’ve compiled these 10 important questions to ask any lake restoration company to get under the surface of their business. Your lakefront property is your legacy. Whether your home has been in your family for years, or you’ve just started your journey to lakefront living- Don’t let anyone take advantage of the way you feel about this valuable personal asset.
Armed with these 10 questions, you’ll be in a great position to choose a partner in restoring your lake:
1. How healthy is my lake right now?
Look for their understanding of lake health indicators. Do they think of your lake as an entire ecosystem, or are they just selling you chemicals to dump on your weeds?
2. Is my lake healthier today than it was a year ago, two years ago?
Listen for what they think is the root cause(s) of your lake issues, and what factors are making your problem better or worse.
3. What percentage of your company’s revenue comes from installing and servicing lake aeration technology, herbicide application, waste-water aeration, etc.?
Look for a company that is knowledgeable and experienced with a variety of technologies as opposed to one that only offers a one-size-fits-all solution.
4. Have you done a lake project larger than 100 acres?
Big projects are more likely to require community buy-in, third party reports, testing and analysis, and results.
5. Can you produce multiple years of water quality data and performance reports from past projects?
Look for evidence that this company is committed to the long-term success of your lake.
6. Are your reports performed by qualified, independent third-party firms?
In-house reports are not evidence of success.
7. Do you offer performance-based contracting?
Look for a company that is confident in its methods and will back them up with contracts that depend on results.
A boat, a car, a dog, a marriage, and even your good health all require upkeep from time to time. So companies that say their systems are “maintenance-free” are showing you a big, red flag! If a company claims that their system needs no maintenance, ask for proof:
8. Can I see an independent report that demonstrates that your system delivers the same results after the first year of operation?
If there’s no report, they’re not invested in long-term success.
9. Can I see a lake with maintenance-free technology that has been installed for more than two years?
It’s unlikely that lake renewal technology will continue to perform without any cleaning or repair after two years.
10. Can I review independent, third party reports demonstrating that your system delivers measurable reductions in weed, algae and muck growth?
A system that doesn’t work in the first place doesn’t need maintenance. Look for evidence that their proposed solution will truly solve your problem.
Here at EverBlue Lakes, we’d love for you to ask us these questions, and any other questions you have! We stand by our promise to save the lakes- whatever it takes— and we have evidence, testimonials, expertise, and years of experience to back up our claims.
