Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Waterford, MI

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is required for landscaping. 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 do some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed, are easier to DIY. You should hire a professional landscaper for things like a complete yard overhaul, or smaller projects for which you don't have the needed expertise.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can help you choose 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 Waterford Landscaping Company

Aim to hire a landscaping company that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Also ensure that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

Plan to hire 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 adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers are trained and certified in various areas, such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Waterford city government. It might also employ the following certified professionals:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are an added bonus, but not mandatory. Request a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors will typically have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Ask for 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 images. You can ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get an idea of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, such as eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should use plants native to your area, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Any work they complete shouldn't have an impact on your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many companies offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Waterford

Generally, landscaping costs $30–$45 per hour in Waterford. These costs vary based on project type and size. Less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will be less expensive than a larger project like resodding. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will affect your final cost. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase costs. The table below breaks down 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