DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, 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 construction and machinery experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge to develop a long-term maintenance plan. Your local professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Boca Raton Landscaping Company
Consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a company's experience when hiring a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping providers serve different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services that help with yard health and maintenance, such as controlling weeds, fertilizing, pruning, mowing, and mulching. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.
Look for a full-service landscaper if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements, and some also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in various areas, such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Boca Raton city government. It might 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
Look for 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 for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of past projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices will include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaping company. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Ask about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
Request multiple quotes from different to compare services and prices. Most providers offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your 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 Boca Raton
Landscaping typically costs $22–$33 per hour in Boca Raton, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as mowing or gardening, are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Bigger projects need more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. The cost will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,875 - $17,166 |
Landscaping Design | $1,683 - $2,243 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $400 - $2,398 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $120 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $80 - $1,599 |
Planting Trees | $209 - $349 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,377 - $79,941 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Boca Raton
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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