DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. 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.
You can handle some landscaping projects on your own. Smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants, are easier to DIY. However, you should hire a professional landscaper for things like a total yard overhaul, and for smaller projects if you lack the needed expertise.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Stonecrest Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for selecting a landscaping company, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping providers serve different lawn needs. Some companies focus on services to help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, fertilizing, and mowing. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.
Look for a full-service landscaper for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Stonecrest city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider may have the following certified members on staff:
- 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. Read both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get an idea of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices may include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaper. Landscaping work 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 projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
Many companies offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Stonecrest
Landscaping typically costs $27–$40 per hour in Stonecrest, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than major yard work, such as resodding. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $14,820 - $19,761 |
Landscaping Design | $2,044 - $2,725 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $421 - $2,527 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $126 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $84 - $1,684 |
Planting Trees | $221 - $368 |
Sodding | $42 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $32,004 - $84,221 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Lawn Care Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Stonecrest
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How should I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.