DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire put or irrigation systems, require construction and machinery expertise.
You can complete 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, or smaller projects for which you don't have the needed expertise.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Wheeling Landscaping Company
Choosing the right landscaper involves finding one with the right experience that also fits your service needs and budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, find one that offers lawn care services. These services can include mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing. Some companies offer additional pest control services and tree removal.
A full-service landscaping company is the best choice if you want to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some might also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Wheeling city government. It may 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
Try to find a provider with an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites such as 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, delayed projects, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get a picture of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping company about its sustainability practices, including water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, like how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should select native area plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Any work they complete shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare services and prices. Most providers offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Wheeling
In Wheeling, you can expect to spend around $28–$42 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than simpler tasks such as gardening and mowing. Depending on the size of your yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the price. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,574 - $16,766 |
Landscaping Design | $2,125 - $2,834 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $426 - $2,556 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $128 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $85 - $1,704 |
Planting Trees | $223 - $372 |
Sodding | $43 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $32,372 - $85,190 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Wheeling
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 do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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