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.
Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are looking for a complete yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Kissimmee Landscaping Company
You want to find a landscaping company that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as pruning, mulching, mowing, controlling weeds, and fertilizing. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.
You'll need a full-service landscaping company if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscape contractors have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Kissimmee city government. Your provider may employ the following certified staff members:
- 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. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices can include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when choosing a landscaper. Landscaping work done 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 your landscaper about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
You should request quotes from multiple companies—this lets you compare rates and services and can even help you negotiate a lower price. 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 expenses, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in Kissimmee
Landscaping typically costs $23–$34 per hour in Kissimmee, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as gardening or mowing, are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a large yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the total cost. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,516 - $15,355 |
Landscaping Design | $1,739 - $2,319 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $403 - $2,418 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $121 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $81 - $1,612 |
Planting Trees | $211 - $352 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,633 - $80,614 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Kissimmee
What are some 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 should I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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