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 construction and machinery experience as well.
You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. 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 architect or designer helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. Professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Novi Landscaping Company
Hiring the right landscaping company depends on several factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping company. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, and fertilizing—to help improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
You want a full-service landscaping company 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 designs and upgrades, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaper should have the appropriate licenses from the Novi city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider might 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
Look for a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to ensure a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Try to avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previously completed projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is important to consider during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should choose native plant life (such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare services and prices. Most providers offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in Novi
Landscaping in Novi generally costs between $29 and $44 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will impact your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,666 - $16,888 |
Landscaping Design | $2,230 - $2,973 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $432 - $2,593 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $130 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $86 - $1,729 |
Planting Trees | $226 - $378 |
Sodding | $43 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $32,843 - $86,428 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Novi
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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