Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Urbandale, IA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need construction and machinery experience as well.

Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are looking for a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term maintenance plan.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Urbandale Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a company's experience when hiring a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

You should hire a full-service landscaper if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some even offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Urbandale city government. The company may 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, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors will typically have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Homeowners should request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

You want a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Check both positive and negative 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 poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get an idea of how your project will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaper. These practices include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should use plant life native to your area—such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant—for best results. Any work on your property shouldn't affect existing vegetation. The company should advise you of sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies—this allows you to compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a lower price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Urbandale

Landscaping typically costs $25–$38 per hour in Urbandale, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as gardening or mowing, are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will affect your final price. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects need more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:

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