DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is needed for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping employs 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 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 don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the proper knowledge and skill set to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and create long-term plans for landscape maintenance. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes doing it on your own.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Plantation Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies cater to different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services to help with yard health and maintenance, such as fertilizing, mowing, controlling weeds, mulching, and pruning. These companies often also provide pest management and tree cutting services.
A full-service landscaper is your best choice if you want to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and fire pits. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Plantation city government. It may 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
Try to find a contractor who has a good reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. Avoid providers that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previously completed projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, preferably ones similar to your own ideas. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping company about its sustainability practices, such as water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including 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 completed shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request multiple quotes to compare companies and find the best services and pricing. Most companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote outlining your project costs, including labor and materials. You can use competing quotes to negotiate a lower price.
Landscaping Costs in Plantation
In Plantation, you can expect to spend around $23–$34 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will be more expensive than easier tasks like mowing and gardening. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below breaks down the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,584 - $16,779 |
Landscaping Design | $1,726 - $2,301 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $402 - $2,414 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $121 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $80 - $1,609 |
Planting Trees | $211 - $352 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,572 - $80,452 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Plantation
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
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What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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