Best 4 Landscaping Companies in Duluth, MN

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.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping is good for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaping company if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Duluth Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Know what services you need before picking a company. Some companies offer lawn care services focused on yard health and maintenance. These services can include fertilizing, mowing, mulching, controlling weeds, and pruning. Many also offer pest control and tree removal services.

You want a full-service landscaper for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaping company should have the appropriate licenses from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. 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 may also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are not mandatory but can add to a provider's credibility. Your landscaping contractor should be fully insured and bonded; most contractors have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Find 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 will have before and after photos of previously completed projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Ask to see 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 provider about its best practices for waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options; you might 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

Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Duluth

In Duluth, you can expect to spend around $22–$33 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work like resodding will be more expensive than more straightforward tasks such as mowing and gardening. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,277 - $16,370
Landscaping Design	$1,680 - $2,240
Landscaping LandGrading	$400 - $2,397
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $120
Planting FlowerBeds	$80 - $1,598
Planting Trees	$209 - $349
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,367 - $79,914