Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Ankeny, IA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also necessitate construction and machinery experience.

Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A local 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 costly DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Ankeny Landscaping Company

Take into consideration factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a provider's experience when selecting a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping company. Some providers offer lawn care services—including fertilizing, controlling weeds, mowing, mulching, and pruning—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.

Look for a full-service landscaping company if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as fire pits, retaining walls, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Ankeny city government. It might also employ the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications aren't mandatory, but they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors usually have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Homeowners should request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Ask to see your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices can include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when choosing a landscaping company. 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

Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most providers offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use a quote to compare your options and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Ankeny

In Ankeny, you should expect to pay approximately $25–$38 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than easier tasks such as mowing and gardening. Bigger projects need more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on the size of your yard, your provider might charge by the acre. The price will also be affected by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,636 - $16,848
Landscaping Design	$1,896 - $2,528
Landscaping LandGrading	$412 - $2,474
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $124
Planting FlowerBeds	$82 - $1,649
Planting Trees	$216 - $360
Sodding	$41 - $49
Swimming Pool	$31,339 - $82,471