DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need machinery and construction experience as well.
Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are looking for a complete yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Mobile Landscaping Company
Choosing the right landscaper involves finding one with good experience that also fits your budget and service needs. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services might include mulching, controlling weeds, fertilizing, mowing, and pruning. Some companies provide additional pest control and tree removal services.
You want a full-service landscaping company if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as fire pits, retaining walls, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscape contractors have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Alabama Department of Agriculture. Your provider may employ the following certified staff members:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
We suggest using third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to get an idea of a provider's customer experience and overall reputation. Stay away from companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service. Try to select a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas to get an idea of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices can include eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaping company. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Ask about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies. This lets you compare services and cost and can even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project costs, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in Mobile
Generally, landscaping costs $23–$34 per hour in Mobile. These costs vary based on project size and type. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a large yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total cost. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,909 - $15,878 |
Landscaping Design | $1,732 - $2,310 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $403 - $2,416 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $121 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $81 - $1,611 |
Planting Trees | $211 - $352 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,603 - $80,533 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Lawn Care Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Mobile
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.