DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require intense labor and heavy equipment. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects can enhance your lawn, recommend the most cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term landscape maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and expertise to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that also provide lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Fountainebleau Landscaping Company
Selecting the right landscaping company comes down to certain factors, such as your budget, your service needs, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as pruning, mulching, mowing, controlling weeds, and fertilizing. These companies often also provide pest management and tree cutting services.
Look for a full-service landscaper if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your entire yard. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Fountainebleau 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
We suggest checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a company's reputation and customer experience. 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
Most landscaping and maintenance contractors are happy to share their completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping projects and designs. They may also provide before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Ask about completed landscape designs similar to your project to get a better idea of how it will look.
Sustainability Practices
A landscaper's sustainability practices are essential. These practices include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should use native plant life—such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower—for best results. Any work on your property shouldn't impact existing vegetation. The company should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
Many companies offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.
Landscaping Costs in Fountainebleau
Landscaping typically costs $25–$37 per hour in Fountainebleau, depending on project size and type. Simple tasks like mowing or gardening are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Larger projects need more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. The cost will also be affected by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,588 - $16,784 |
Landscaping Design | $1,860 - $2,480 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $410 - $2,461 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $123 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $82 - $1,641 |
Planting Trees | $215 - $359 |
Sodding | $41 - $49 |
Swimming Pool | $31,175 - $82,040 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Fountainebleau
What are warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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