Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Silver Spring, MD

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require machinery and construction experience.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaper.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Silver Spring Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services that help with yard health and maintenance, such as mulching, mowing, controlling weeds, fertilizing, and pruning. These companies often also provide pest control and tree removal services.

You need a full-service landscaper for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as fire pits, retaining walls, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation. It 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 have certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. While not mandatory, these certifications are an added bonus. Ask to see a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscaping companies should be insured and bonded. Contractors will typically have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a contractor who has a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Read 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 delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have generally poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

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

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should use native plants (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies—this lets you compare rates and services and can 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 includes information about various project costs, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Silver Spring

Landscaping in Silver Spring generally costs between $28 and $42 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 mowing or gardening. Bigger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on the size of your yard, the company might charge by the acre. The cost will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of common landscaping projects:

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