Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Escondido, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You likely have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated landscaping projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require construction and machinery experience.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. 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 to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Escondido Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a company's experience when choosing a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including mowing, controlling weeds, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching—to help with your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree removal services.

Look for a full-service landscaping company for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.

Licensing and Experience

Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, 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

It might also hold certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Landscapers should have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Any contractor you hire should be fully insured and bonded. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a provider with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previous projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices can include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when choosing a landscaping company. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry. Ask your contractor about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, the contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Escondido

In Escondido, you should expect to pay roughly $27–$40 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than easier tasks such as gardening and mowing. Factors like your yard's size and the materials you choose will all influence your final price. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,206 - $17,608
Landscaping Design	$2,028 - $2,704
Landscaping LandGrading	$420 - $2,521
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $126
Planting FlowerBeds	$84 - $1,681
Planting Trees	$220 - $367
Sodding	$42 - $50
Swimming Pool	$31,932 - $84,032