DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated landscaping projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also necessitate construction and machinery experience.
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 landscaping contractor for things like a total yard overhaul, and for smaller projects if you lack the needed expertise.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. 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 Du Page 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 at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services may include mulching, mowing, fertilizing, pruning, and controlling weeds. Some companies offer additional pest control and tree removal services.
Look for a full-service landscaping company if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They may also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Du Page city government. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider might 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
We recommend using third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's customer experience and overall reputation. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results. Try to find a provider with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is important to consider during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should choose native plant life (such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request multiple quotes from different to compare services and prices. Most landscapers offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use a quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in Du Page
In Du Page, you should expect to spend approximately $30–$45 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks like gardening and mowing. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, companies might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects need more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,806 - $17,075 |
Landscaping Design | $2,248 - $2,997 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $433 - $2,599 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $130 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $87 - $1,733 |
Planting Trees | $227 - $379 |
Sodding | $43 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $32,924 - $86,643 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Du Page
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 a price with a landscaping company?
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