Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Tustin, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is needed for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping employs intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need machinery and construction experience as well.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaping contractor.

Professional landscape designers and architects can enhance your lawn, recommend the most cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term landscape maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and expertise to elevate your outdoor space. Contactors that also provide lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Tustin Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaping company, 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 landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing—to help with yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.

Plan to hire a full-service landscaping company if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, or retaining walls. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Companies should possess the appropriate licenses from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. Your provider may employ the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It might also hold 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. Request a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors will typically have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previous projects with prospective customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

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

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like labor and materials. 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 Tustin

In Tustin, you should expect to pay roughly $28–$41 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than simpler tasks like gardening and mowing. Factors such as the size of your yard and the materials you choose will impact your final cost. For larger yards, companies might charge by the acre. Bigger projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,131 - $17,508
Landscaping Design	$2,094 - $2,791
Landscaping LandGrading	$424 - $2,544
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $127
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,696
Planting Trees	$222 - $371
Sodding	$42 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,229 - $84,813