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.
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 want to do a larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaper.
Professional landscape architects and designers 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 knowledge to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Norwalk Landscaping Company
Finding the right landscaper involves finding one with enough experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as pruning, mowing, fertilizing, controlling weeds, and mulching—to improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is your best choice if you want to revamp your entire 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 also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in various areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Norwalk city government. It may also employ the following certified professionals:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
We recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's reputation and customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service. Try to select a provider with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previously completed projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices can include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaper. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper 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, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies—this allows you to compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a better deal. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project costs, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Norwalk
Landscaping in Norwalk generally costs between $30 and $45 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Depending on the size of your yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,807 - $18,409 |
Landscaping Design | $2,293 - $3,058 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $436 - $2,615 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $131 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $87 - $1,744 |
Planting Trees | $228 - $381 |
Sodding | $44 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $33,129 - $87,182 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Norwalk
What are warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the 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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