Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Bristol, CT

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping is good for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaper if you’re completing a yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Bristol Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a company's experience when choosing a landscaping company. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

A full-service landscaper is the way to go if you want to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and fire pits. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Bristol city government. 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

We suggest checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a company's customer experience and overall reputation. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects. Try to find a provider with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

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

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices will include eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaper. Landscaping work done on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Ask about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This lets you compare services and cost and may even help you negotiate a lower price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Bristol

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