DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You likely have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require machinery and construction experience.
You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaping contractor.
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 professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents expensive DIY mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Joplin Landscaping Company
Hiring the right landscaper comes down to certain factors, such as your budget, your service needs, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including pruning, mowing, mulching, controlling weeds, and fertilizing—to help with your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.
A full-service landscaping company is the way to go if you're planning 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 upgrades and designs, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some might also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Joplin city government. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider might employ 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
Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check 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. Be wary of companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get a picture of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices will include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaper. Landscaping work on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Ask about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
You should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about services and pricing. Most companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote of expected project costs, including labor and materials. You can use competing quotes to help negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Joplin
Landscaping in Joplin generally costs between $15 and $22 per hour. These prices depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Bigger projects require more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, your provider might charge by the acre. The price will also be affected by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,362 - $15,150 |
Landscaping Design | $1,124 - $1,498 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $367 - $2,200 |
Landscaping Mulch | $22 - $110 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $73 - $1,466 |
Planting Trees | $192 - $320 |
Sodding | $37 - $44 |
Swimming Pool | $27,861 - $73,319 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Joplin
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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