Best 4 Landscaping Companies in Lake Charles, LA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have a basic level of lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. A large project might require intense labor and heavy equipment. Complicated projects such as irrigation systems and fire pits need additional construction and machinery expertise.

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

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Lake Charles Landscaping Company

Look for a landscaper that offers the services you need within your budget. Also ensure that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Have an idea of what services you need before picking a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services focusing on yard health and maintenance. These services can include mowing, controlling weeds, fertilizing, mulching, and pruning. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.

Choose a full-service landscaping company 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 gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Louisiana Horticulture Commission. 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 might also have certifications from professional organizations, including 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 bonded and insured. Contractors will typically have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

You want a contractor who has a good reputation and positive customer reviews. 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 company treats its customers. You want to avoid companies that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have generally poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get an idea of how your project will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices can include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaper. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Ask about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Lake Charles

Landscaping typically costs $24–$35 per hour in Lake Charles, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like gardening or mowing are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Depending on your yard size, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,219 - $16,292
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