Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Cambridge, MA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as a fire pit or irrigation system, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.

Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are looking for a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. Your local professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Cambridge Landscaping Company

Hiring the right landscaping company depends on several 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

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

Look for a full-service landscaper if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Cambridge city government. 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

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. Request a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before beginning a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors normally have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after photos. You can ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas to get a picture of how your project will look.

Sustainability Practices

A landscaper's sustainability practices are essential. These practices include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation. Landscaping contractors should implement plant life native to your area—such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower—for best results. Any work on your property shouldn't affect existing vegetation. Your landscaper should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies—this lets you 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 make recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project expenses, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in Cambridge

In Cambridge, you should expect to pay approximately $35–$53 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than simpler tasks such as gardening and mowing. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects need more labor, which will increase costs. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,537 - $18,049
Landscaping Design	$2,686 - $3,582
Landscaping LandGrading	$459 - $2,755
Landscaping Mulch	$28 - $138
Planting FlowerBeds	$92 - $1,837
Planting Trees	$241 - $401
Sodding	$46 - $55
Swimming Pool	$34,899 - $91,838