DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Most homeowners have at least basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires more advanced skills. A large project might require intense labor and heavy equipment. Complicated projects such as irrigation systems and fire pits require additional machinery and construction expertise.
Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are looking for a complete yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents expensive DIY mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Dothan Landscaping Company
You should consider factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a company's experience when hiring a landscaping company. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including fertilizing, mulching, mowing, pruning, and controlling weeds—to improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
Look for a full-service landscaper if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your entire yard. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in various areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Alabama Department of Agriculture. It may also employ the following certified professionals:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
Look for companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. Read about the company on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is an important consideration during and after a landscaping project. Ask your provider about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should choose native plant life (such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request multiple quotes from different to compare services and prices. Most companies offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. A detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Dothan
In Dothan, you can expect to pay around $19–$29 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks such as mowing and gardening. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company may charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,769 - $15,691 |
Landscaping Design | $1,442 - $1,922 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $385 - $2,313 |
Landscaping Mulch | $23 - $116 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $77 - $1,542 |
Planting Trees | $202 - $337 |
Sodding | $39 - $46 |
Swimming Pool | $29,293 - $77,087 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Dothan
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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