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 heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, require construction and machinery expertise.
Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Professional landscape architects and designers have the proper knowledge and skill set to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and create long-term plans for landscape maintenance. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making expensive mistakes doing it on your own.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Huntington Park Landscaping Company
Finding the right landscaper involves finding one with the right experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services to help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as pruning, mulching, controlling weeds, mowing, and fertilizing. These companies often also provide pest management and tree cutting services.
A full-service landscaping company is your best option if you're planning to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and retaining walls. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some may also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors 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
Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mostly negative reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after pictures. 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 a landscaping project. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should choose native plants (such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, as you can use these to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Huntington Park
Landscaping in Huntington Park generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on the size of your yard, your provider may charge by the acre. The cost will also be affected by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,943 - $17,257 |
Landscaping Design | $2,114 - $2,819 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $425 - $2,552 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $128 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $85 - $1,701 |
Planting Trees | $223 - $372 |
Sodding | $43 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $32,321 - $85,055 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Huntington Park
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some 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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