Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Gaithersburg, MD

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. 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 landscaper.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Gaithersburg Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaping company, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Assess your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services can include mulching, controlling weeds, mowing, fertilizing, and pruning. Some companies provide additional pest control services and tree removal.

A full-service landscaper is the way to go if you're planning to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and fire pits. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. The company may have 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 hold certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are an added bonus, but not mandatory. 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 verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Find a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to verify that a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance contractors proudly share completed projects with potential customers. Ask the company for its portfolio of landscaping projects and designs. They may also provide before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Ask about completed landscape designs similar to your project to get a better idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration during and after a landscaping project. Ask your provider about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should choose native plant life (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many landscapers offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Gaithersburg

In Gaithersburg, you should expect to pay roughly $28–$42 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than more straightforward tasks like mowing and gardening. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a large yard, your provider might charge by the acre. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the total cost. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,615 - $18,154
Landscaping Design	$2,130 - $2,840
Landscaping LandGrading	$426 - $2,557
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $128
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,705
Planting Trees	$223 - $373
Sodding	$43 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,393 - $85,244