DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need machinery and construction experience as well.
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 looking for a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents expensive DIY mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Paramount Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations for selecting a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as fertilizing, pruning, controlling weeds, mowing, and mulching. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.
A full-service landscaper is the best choice if you want to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. A company should have the appropriate licenses 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
You want a provider with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. 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 to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaping company. These include eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should implement native plant life—such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry—for best results. Any work done on your property shouldn't affect existing vegetation. Your landscaper should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies—this lets you compare rates and services and can even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project expenses, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in Paramount
In Paramount, you should expect to spend roughly $28–$42 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than simpler tasks such as gardening and mowing. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
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 Paramount
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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