Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Oakland, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work 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.

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. Professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term maintenance plan.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Oakland Landscaping Company

Choosing the right landscaper depends on several factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services that help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as controlling weeds, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, and mulching. These providers also often offer pest control and tree removal services.

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

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers 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

It may also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Your landscaping contractor should be fully insured and bonded. Most providers have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Ask to see an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share finished projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping projects and designs. They may also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Request finished landscape designs similar to your project to get a better idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for 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 providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Oakland

In Oakland, you can expect to spend roughly $34–$51 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than simpler tasks like mowing and gardening. Factors like the size of your yard and the materials you choose will affect your final price. For larger yards, companies might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,650 - $18,199
Landscaping Design	$2,561 - $3,415
Landscaping LandGrading	$452 - $2,711
Landscaping Mulch	$27 - $136
Planting FlowerBeds	$90 - $1,807
Planting Trees	$237 - $395
Sodding	$45 - $54
Swimming Pool	$34,336 - $90,358