Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Stratford, CT

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You may 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.

Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are planning a complete yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Stratford Landscaping Company

Take into consideration factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a company's experience when choosing a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some providers offer lawn care services—including mowing, pruning, fertilizing, controlling weeds, and mulching—to help with yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

Look for full-service landscaping if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Stratford 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

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications aren't mandatory, but they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors usually have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Homeowners should request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. We recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mostly negative reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previously completed projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should use native plant life (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies—this lets you compare rates and services and can even help you negotiate a lower price. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in Stratford

Landscaping in Stratford generally costs between $30 and $45 per hour. These figures 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. Factors such as the size of your yard and the materials you choose will affect your final price. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

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