DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Phoenix Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations for selecting a landscaper, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as pruning, controlling weeds, mulching, mowing, and fertilizing. These providers also often offer pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is your best option 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, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaping company should possess the appropriate licenses from the Phoenix city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. 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
Find a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can look at third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Try to avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including ones that frequently mention delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previous projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, preferably ones that are similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices will include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaping company. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as desert marigold, blackfoot daisy, and desert sand verbena. 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 rates and services and may 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 should include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Phoenix
Landscaping in Phoenix generally costs between $26 and $39 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Depending on your yard size, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the price. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,189 - $17,585 |
Landscaping Design | $1,962 - $2,616 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $416 - $2,498 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $125 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $83 - $1,665 |
Planting Trees | $218 - $364 |
Sodding | $42 - $50 |
Swimming Pool | $31,636 - $83,252 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Phoenix
What are 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 can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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