Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Mankato, MN

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You may have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated landscaping projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require construction and machinery experience.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaping contractor 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 expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents costly DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Mankato Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a provider's experience when hiring a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

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

Licensing and Experience

Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. 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 Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory but can lend credibility to a provider. Request a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors typically have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Read 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 delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previous projects with prospective customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, preferably ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for 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

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This lets you compare services and cost and may even help you negotiate a lower price. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Mankato

Generally, landscaping costs $30–$44 per hour in Mankato. These costs vary based on project type and size. Less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will affect your final cost. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large-scale projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$11,902 - $15,869
Landscaping Design	$2,241 - $2,988
Landscaping LandGrading	$433 - $2,597
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $130
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,731
Planting Trees	$227 - $378
Sodding	$43 - $52
Swimming Pool	$32,894 - $86,563