Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Tuscaloosa, AL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. More complicated landscaping projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also necessitate construction and machinery experience.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you're planning a larger yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaper.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the right skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term plans for landscape maintenance. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making expensive mistakes attempting it yourself.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Tuscaloosa Landscaping Company

You want to find a landscaper that offers the services you need within your budget. Also ensure that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Have an idea of what services you need before selecting a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services that focus on yard health and maintenance. These services can include mulching, controlling weeds, fertilizing, pruning, and mowing. Many also offer pest control and tree removal services.

You should hire a full-service landscaper if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your whole yard. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, 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. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Alabama Department of Agriculture. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications are an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded; most providers have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Ask to see an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Read positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

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 pictures. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas to get an idea of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices will include eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaping company. Landscaping work done 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 your contractor about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies—this lets you compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in Tuscaloosa

Landscaping in Tuscaloosa generally costs between $22 and $33 per hour. These prices depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Factors like your yard's size and the materials you choose will impact your final cost. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below breaks down the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$11,717 - $15,623
Landscaping Design	$1,669 - $2,225
Landscaping LandGrading	$399 - $2,393
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $120
Planting FlowerBeds	$80 - $1,596
Planting Trees	$209 - $349
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,316 - $79,779