DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need machinery and construction experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can be good for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects 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 space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve your lawn's health and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Severn Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing a landscaping company, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
You should know what services you need before picking a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services focused on yard health and maintenance. These services can include pruning, controlling weeds, mowing, fertilizing, and mulching. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.
Look for a full-service landscaper if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. 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
Reputation and Reviews
You want a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Check both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance contractors are happy to share their completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping designs and projects. They might also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Request finished landscape designs similar to your planned project to get an idea of how it will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after landscaping work. Ask your provider about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should use 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
You should request multiple quotes from different companies—this allows you to compare services and cost and may even help you negotiate a better deal. 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 costs, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in Severn
Landscaping in Severn generally costs between $32 and $48 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a large yard, companies may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total cost. The table below breaks down the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,578 - $18,104 |
Landscaping Design | $2,402 - $3,203 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $442 - $2,654 |
Landscaping Mulch | $27 - $133 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $88 - $1,769 |
Planting Trees | $232 - $387 |
Sodding | $44 - $53 |
Swimming Pool | $33,620 - $88,474 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Severn
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
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What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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