DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. 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 can work for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape architects and designers can enhance your lawn, recommend the most cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Citrus Heights Landscaping Company
Selecting the right landscaping company comes down to certain factors, such as your budget, your service needs, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some companies offer lawn care services—such as pruning, mulching, controlling weeds, mowing, and fertilizing—to help with yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is the best choice if you want to revamp your whole 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 landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaping company should have the appropriate licenses from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider might 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 recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's reputation and customer experience. Stay away from companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results. Try to choose a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices may include eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when choosing a landscaper. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry. Ask about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
Many companies offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project costs such as labor and materials. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Citrus Heights
Landscaping typically costs $33–$50 per hour in Citrus Heights, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like gardening or mowing are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Bigger projects necessitate more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. The cost will also be affected by the materials you choose. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,120 - $17,494 |
Landscaping Design | $2,527 - $3,370 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $450 - $2,699 |
Landscaping Mulch | $27 - $135 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $90 - $1,799 |
Planting Trees | $236 - $393 |
Sodding | $45 - $54 |
Swimming Pool | $34,183 - $89,954 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Citrus Heights
What are warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How should I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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