DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need machinery and construction experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the proper skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend 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 Lake Havasu City Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping provider. Some providers offer lawn care services—including controlling weeds, pruning, mulching, fertilizing, and mowing—to help improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
A full-service landscaper is the best choice if you want to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some may also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaper should possess the appropriate licenses from the Lake Havasu City city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Your provider may have the following certified members on staff:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
Look for a provider with an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Check both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service, or that have generally poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share completed projects with potential customers. Ask the company for its portfolio of landscaping projects and designs. They may also have before and after pictures to show off their quality work. Ask about finished landscape designs similar to your planned project to get an idea of how it will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and offer recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, the company should use plants native to your area, such as desert marigold, blackfoot daisy, and desert sand verbena. Any work they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.
Cost
You should request multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a lower 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 expenses, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in Lake Havasu City
Generally, landscaping costs $20–$29 per hour in Lake Havasu City. These prices vary based on project size and type. Less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will be less expensive than a larger project like resodding. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,738 - $16,984 |
Landscaping Design | $1,478 - $1,971 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $388 - $2,326 |
Landscaping Mulch | $23 - $116 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $78 - $1,550 |
Planting Trees | $203 - $339 |
Sodding | $39 - $47 |
Swimming Pool | $29,457 - $77,518 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Lake Havasu City
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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