DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You might have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. More complicated landscaping projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also require machinery and construction experience.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping is good for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaper if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term landscape maintenance plans. Contractors that offer lawn care services can help you improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes attempting it yourself.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Concord Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations for choosing a landscaping company, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you need assistance with yard health and maintenance, find one that offers lawn care services. These services can include controlling weeds, mowing, fertilizing, mulching, and pruning. Some companies offer additional pest control services and tree removal.
Plan to hire a full-service landscaping company if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in various areas, such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. It might also employ the following certified professionals:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Read about the company on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share their finished projects with potential customers. Ask the company for its portfolio of landscaping projects and designs. They might also have before and after pictures to show off their quality work. Ask about completed landscape designs similar to your planned project to get a better idea of how it will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, such as eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should choose native area plants, such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry. Any work completed shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare services and prices. Most landscapers offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use this quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in Concord
Landscaping typically costs $31–$47 per hour in Concord, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as gardening or mowing, are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company might charge by the acre. The price will also be affected by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,530 - $18,040 |
Landscaping Design | $2,355 - $3,140 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $440 - $2,637 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $132 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $88 - $1,758 |
Planting Trees | $230 - $384 |
Sodding | $44 - $53 |
Swimming Pool | $33,405 - $87,908 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Concord
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some 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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