DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is required for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need construction and machinery experience as well.
You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaper.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Monterey Park Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for selecting a landscaping company, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services may include controlling weeds, mulching, fertilizing, mowing, and pruning. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.
You'll need a full-service landscaping company if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. It might also 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
Try to find a provider with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service, or that have generally poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get an idea of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices may include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaper. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry. Ask your contractor about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.
Landscaping Costs in Monterey Park
Landscaping in Monterey Park generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
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 Monterey Park
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How should I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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