Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Fountain Valley, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You may have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also require machinery and construction experience.

You can handle some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed, are easier to DIY. However, you should hire a professional landscaper for things like a complete yard overhaul, or smaller projects for which you lack the needed expertise.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Fountain Valley Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations for selecting a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

You should assess your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services might include pruning, mowing, fertilizing, controlling weeds, and mulching. Some companies offer additional pest control services and tree removal.

You should hire a full-service landscaping company if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your entire yard. 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, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscapers normally have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Any provider you hire should be fully insured and bonded. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

We suggest using third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a company's customer experience and overall reputation. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects. Try to find a provider with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of past projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should choose native plant life (such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Request multiple quotes from different to compare pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. A detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use a quote to compare your options and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Fountain Valley

Landscaping typically costs $28–$41 per hour in Fountain Valley, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like mowing or gardening are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard 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. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,131 - $17,508
Landscaping Design	$2,094 - $2,791
Landscaping LandGrading	$424 - $2,544
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $127
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,696
Planting Trees	$222 - $371
Sodding	$42 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,229 - $84,813