About working with professionals:

Trained, experienced consultants and contractors can help you through all stages of a shoreline project: design, permitting, building, operating and maintaining a cost-effective, durable, attractive, and environmentally friendly project. Depending on the specifics of your project and site, you may need a coastal/shoreline engineer or geologist, biologist, geotechnical expert, landscape architect, site designer, machine operator or permit specialist. Some companies do all these things, while others specialize in specific practice areas.

1. Identify your priorities – Erosion protection or landscape design? Beach access or drainage improvement?
2. Research possible candidates online and talk to friends and neighbours who have undertaken similar work.
3. When talking to possible candidates, stress your interest in green shorelines and “soft engineering” approaches. Ask to see photos or visit project sites, and inquire about the practices each contractor uses to minimize pollutants, erosion and impacts on the shore, and their familiarity with the Green Shores for Homes rating system.
4. Once you have narrowed your search to three or four candidates, invite them to your property for specific recommendations and estimates. Make sure that you are confident in their abilities and approach and that you can have a collaborative relationship.