DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, require construction and machinery expertise.
You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you want to do a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaper.
Professional landscape architects and designers can enhance your lawn, recommend the most cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Metairie Landscaping Company
Hiring the right landscaper comes down to certain factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Know what services you need before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services focusing on yard health and maintenance. These services can include controlling weeds, mowing, mulching, pruning, and fertilizing. 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 designs and upgrades, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Louisiana Horticulture Commission. It may also have 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 contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. You want to avoid companies that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects, or that have generally poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas to get an idea of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, such as eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and provide recommendations for sustainable maintenance, like how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should choose native area plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Any work they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.
Cost
We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies. This lets you compare services and cost and can even help you negotiate a lower price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Metairie
In Metairie, you can expect to pay approximately $27–$40 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will be more expensive than easier tasks such as mowing and gardening. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, companies might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total cost. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,335 - $16,447 |
Landscaping Design | $2,039 - $2,719 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $421 - $2,525 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $126 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $84 - $1,683 |
Planting Trees | $221 - $368 |
Sodding | $42 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $31,983 - $84,167 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Metairie
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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