DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need construction and machinery experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps you avoid costly mistakes. Professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Lisle Landscaping Company
Finding the right landscaper involves finding one with good experience that also fits your budget and service needs. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Know what services you need before choosing a company. Some companies provide lawn care services that focus on yard health and maintenance. These services might include mulching, pruning, controlling weeds, fertilizing, and mowing. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.
You want a full-service landscaping company for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, or retaining walls. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Lisle 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
Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share their finished projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping designs and projects. They might also have before and after pictures to show off their quality work. Ask about finished landscape designs similar to your planned project to get a better idea of how it will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices can include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaper. Landscaping work done on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Ask your contractor about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
Many landscapers offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Lisle
Landscaping in Lisle generally costs between $34 and $51 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will impact your final price. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below breaks down the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,185 - $17,580 |
Landscaping Design | $2,580 - $3,440 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $453 - $2,717 |
Landscaping Mulch | $27 - $136 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $91 - $1,811 |
Planting Trees | $237 - $396 |
Sodding | $45 - $54 |
Swimming Pool | $34,418 - $90,573 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Lawn Care Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Lisle
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 do I negotiate pricing 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.