DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, 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 machinery and construction experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an West Bloomfield Landscaping Company
Selecting the right landscaper depends on several factors, such as your budget, your service needs, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Know what services you need before selecting a provider. Some companies provide lawn care services that focus on yard health and maintenance. These services might include mowing, fertilizing, controlling weeds, pruning, and mulching. Many also offer pest management solutions and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is the best choice if you want to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and retaining walls. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the West Bloomfield city government. It 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
Make sure you choose a contractor with good customer reviews. You can check third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that 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, poor project results, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get an idea of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, including water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, the company should use plants native to your area, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Any work completed shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use this quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in West Bloomfield
Landscaping in West Bloomfield generally costs between $30 and $45 per hour. These prices depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
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 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in West Bloomfield
What are 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 should I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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