Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Royal Oak, MI

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. Adding more complex elements, such as a fire pit or irrigation system, requires construction and machinery expertise.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Royal Oak Landscaping Company

You want to find a landscaping company that offers the services you need within your budget. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you need assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services might include fertilizing, controlling weeds, pruning, mulching, and mowing. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.

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

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaper should possess the appropriate licenses from the Royal Oak city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider may have the following certified members on staff:

• 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, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors should have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

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 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 unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of past projects to showcase their work to potential customers. 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 an important consideration during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company 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 plant life (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 services and cost and may even help you negotiate a better deal. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Royal Oak

Generally, landscaping costs $30–$45 per hour in Royal Oak. These figures vary based on project type and size. Less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, companies may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,236 - $17,649
Landscaping Design	$2,278 - $3,037
Landscaping LandGrading	$435 - $2,610
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $130
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,740
Planting Trees	$228 - $380
Sodding	$43 - $52
Swimming Pool	$33,057 - $86,993