DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as a fire pit or irrigation system, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.
You can handle some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed, are easier to DIY. You should hire a landscaping contractor for things like a complete yard overhaul, or smaller projects for which you lack the needed expertise.
Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term plans for landscape maintenance. 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 Loveland Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing 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 hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services can include fertilizing, mowing, controlling weeds, pruning, and mulching. Some companies offer additional pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is your best choice if you're planning to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and retaining walls. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Loveland city government. It may also have 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
Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get a picture of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company 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 plant life (such as Colorado blue columbine, heartleaf arnica, and scarlet gilia) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most landscapers offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project plans. A detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Loveland
Landscaping typically costs $29–$44 per hour in Loveland, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like mowing or gardening are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, your provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total cost. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,390 - $16,520 |
Landscaping Design | $2,225 - $2,967 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $432 - $2,591 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $130 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $86 - $1,727 |
Planting Trees | $226 - $377 |
Sodding | $43 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $32,822 - $86,374 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Loveland
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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