DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Large projects may require heavy equipment and intense labor. Complicated projects such as irrigation systems and fire pits require additional machinery and construction expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping is good 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 have the proper skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term landscape maintenance plans. Contractors that offer lawn care services can help you improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes doing it on your own.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Largo Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaping company, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including mulching, mowing, pruning, controlling weeds, and fertilizing—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
A full-service landscaping company is the way to go if you want to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as fire pits, retaining walls, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in various areas, such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Largo 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 recommend using third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get an idea of a provider's customer experience and overall reputation. Stay away from 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 companies will have before and after photos of previously completed projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation. Your provider should be able to 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, the company should use native area plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Any work they complete shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Many companies offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Largo
In Largo, you can expect to spend approximately $23–$34 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than easier tasks like gardening and mowing. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, companies may charge by the acre. Bigger 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 | $12,912 - $17,216 |
Landscaping Design | $1,707 - $2,277 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $401 - $2,407 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $120 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $80 - $1,605 |
Planting Trees | $210 - $351 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,490 - $80,237 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Largo
What are some 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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