Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Fort Smith, AR

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping requires more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as a fire pit or irrigation system, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you want to do a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaping contractor.

Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps you avoid expensive mistakes. Professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Fort Smith Landscaping Company

Look for a landscaping company that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Also ensure that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as controlling weeds, pruning, fertilizing, mowing, and mulching—to help improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree removal services.

Look for a full-service landscaping company if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. They may also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. It might also employ 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, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Landscapers typically have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Any contractor you hire should be fully insured and bonded. Make sure to request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. We recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both positive and negative reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after photos. 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 is important to consider both during and after landscaping work. Ask your provider about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers 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

Many providers offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Fort Smith

In Fort Smith, you should expect to spend approximately $23–$34 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than simpler tasks such as mowing and gardening. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, your provider might charge by the acre. The cost will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$11,885 - $15,846
Landscaping Design	$1,728 - $2,304
Landscaping LandGrading	$402 - $2,414
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $121
Planting FlowerBeds	$80 - $1,610
Planting Trees	$211 - $352
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,582 - $80,479