Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Palm Desert, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Most homeowners have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires more advanced skills. Large projects may require heavy equipment and intense labor. Complicated projects such as irrigation systems and fire pits require additional machinery and construction expertise.

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 landscaping contractor if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the right skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and create long-term landscape maintenance plans. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes attempting it yourself.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Palm Desert Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience 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. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

Look for 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 upgrades and designs, such as gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some even offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscape contractors have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Your provider may 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 have certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are an added bonus, but not mandatory. Ask to see a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before beginning a project. All landscaping companies should be insured and bonded. Contractors typically have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

You want a provider with an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Check 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. You want to avoid companies that have frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get a picture of how your project will look.

Sustainability Practices

A landscaper's sustainability practices are essential. These include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should choose native plant life—such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry—for best results. Any work done on your property shouldn't affect your existing vegetation. The company should advise you of sustainability practices for your project and offer recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, the 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 lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Palm Desert

Generally, landscaping costs $28–$42 per hour in Palm Desert. These prices vary based on project size and type. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will be less expensive than a larger project like resodding. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a large yard, companies might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,728 - $16,970
Landscaping Design	$2,098 - $2,798
Landscaping LandGrading	$424 - $2,546
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $127
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,697
Planting Trees	$222 - $371
Sodding	$42 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,249 - $84,867