DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You likely have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated landscaping projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require machinery and construction experience.
Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are looking for a complete yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Professional landscape architects and designers 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 also provide lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Kentwood Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services might include mowing, fertilizing, pruning, controlling weeds, and mulching. Some companies offer additional pest control services and tree removal.
Look for a full-service landscaping company if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your whole yard. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements, and some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscape contractors have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Companies should possess the appropriate licenses from the Kentwood city government. Your provider may have 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
Seek out companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. We recommend checking 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. Be wary of companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance contractors proudly share their finished projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping designs and projects. They may also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their 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 important to consider both during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should choose native plants (such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This lets you compare rates and services and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project costs, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Kentwood
Landscaping typically costs $24–$36 per hour in Kentwood, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks like gardening or mowing will cost less than significant yard work, such as resodding. Bigger projects need more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. The cost will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,649 - $16,866 |
Landscaping Design | $1,826 - $2,434 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $408 - $2,449 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $122 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $82 - $1,633 |
Planting Trees | $214 - $357 |
Sodding | $41 - $49 |
Swimming Pool | $31,022 - $81,637 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Kentwood
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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