Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Brookline, MA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need machinery and construction experience as well.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. 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 have the right knowledge and skill set to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend the most cost-effective upgrades and create long-term landscape maintenance plans. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes attempting it yourself.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Brookline 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 at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—such as mowing, controlling weeds, pruning, mulching, and fertilizing—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

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

Licensing and Experience

Most landscape contractors have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the Brookline city government. Your provider may 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 are not mandatory but can lend credibility to a provider. Ask to see a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscaping companies should be bonded and insured. Contractors usually have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. We recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Read positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Avoid companies with mostly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previous projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaping company about its sustainability practices, including eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and offer recommendations for sustainable maintenance, like how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should use native area plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.

Cost

You should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about services and pricing. Most companies conduct free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote of expected project costs, including materials and labor. You may wish to use competing quotes to help negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Brookline

Landscaping in Brookline generally costs between $36 and $54 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total cost. The table below shows the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,834 - $18,445
Landscaping Design	$2,730 - $3,639
Landscaping LandGrading	$462 - $2,770
Landscaping Mulch	$28 - $139
Planting FlowerBeds	$92 - $1,847
Planting Trees	$242 - $404
Sodding	$46 - $55
Swimming Pool	$35,093 - $92,350