Best 5 Landscaping Companies in South Bend, IN

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping needs more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you want to do a larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an South Bend Landscaping Company

Aim to hire a landscaper that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as fertilizing, pruning, mowing, mulching, and controlling weeds—to help with your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

You'll want full-service landscaping if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They may also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaping company should possess the appropriate licenses from the South Bend city government. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, horticulture, 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

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded; most contractors have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Ask to see an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

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. Stay away from companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects. Try to find a provider with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previously completed projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Ask to see the company'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 is an important consideration both 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 use native plants (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

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare rates and services and may even help you negotiate a better price. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project costs, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in South Bend

Landscaping in South Bend generally costs between $24 and $35 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex 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	$12,141 - $16,188
Landscaping Design	$1,792 - $2,389
Landscaping LandGrading	$406 - $2,437
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $122
Planting FlowerBeds	$81 - $1,625
Planting Trees	$213 - $355
Sodding	$41 - $49
Swimming Pool	$30,868 - $81,233