Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Gainesville, FL

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. Adding more complex elements, such as an irrigation system or fire pit, requires construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you want to do a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaper.

Professional landscape architects and designers can not only enhance your lawn but can also recommend cost-effective upgrades and help you develop a long-term landscape maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. Contactors that also provide lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and help you avoid costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Gainesville Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience are important considerations for choosing a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as pruning, fertilizing, mowing, controlling weeds, and mulching. These providers also often offer pest control and tree removal 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 whole yard. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some even provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaping company should have the appropriate licenses from the Gainesville city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Your provider might employ the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications aren't mandatory, but they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully bonded and insured. Most contractors have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a provider with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have generally poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of past projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to your own ideas. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, such as water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should use native area plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Any work completed shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many landscapers offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Gainesville

Generally, landscaping costs $22–$33 per hour in Gainesville. These costs vary based on project type and size. Less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Depending on your yard size, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex 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 landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,315 - $16,420
Landscaping Design	$1,644 - $2,192
Landscaping LandGrading	$397 - $2,384
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $119
Planting FlowerBeds	$79 - $1,590
Planting Trees	$208 - $347
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,204 - $79,483