DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need machinery and construction experience as well.
You can complete some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants, are easier to DIY. You should hire a professional landscaper for things like a complete yard overhaul, or smaller projects for which you lack the needed expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects can not only enhance your lawn but can also recommend cost-effective upgrades and help develop a long-term maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and expertise to elevate your outdoor space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Alpharetta Landscaping Company
Choosing the right landscaper depends on several factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some companies offer lawn care services—such as fertilizing, pruning, controlling weeds, mulching, and mowing—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
You need a full-service landscaping company if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in areas like outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Alpharetta 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
You want a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of past projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices may include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaping company. Landscaping work done on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Ask your landscaper about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, the contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, as you can use these to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Alpharetta
Generally, landscaping costs $48–$72 per hour in Alpharetta. These figures vary based on project size and type. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final cost. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $15,974 - $21,299 |
Landscaping Design | $3,624 - $4,833 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $515 - $3,089 |
Landscaping Mulch | $31 - $154 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $103 - $2,059 |
Planting Trees | $270 - $450 |
Sodding | $51 - $62 |
Swimming Pool | $39,123 - $102,956 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Alpharetta
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 a price with a landscaping company?
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