Best 5 Landscaping Companies in St. Louis, MO

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

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

Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills 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 St. Louis Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

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

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaping company should have the appropriate licenses from the St. Louis city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. 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

It might also hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscaping contractors typically have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Your provider should be fully insured and bonded. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a contractor who has a good reputation and positive customer reviews. Check both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get an idea of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices will include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when hiring a landscaper. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Additionally, your contractor should choose native plants, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Ask your landscaper about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies—this lets you compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project costs, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in St. Louis

Landscaping in St. Louis generally costs between $23 and $35 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will cost more than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, your provider might charge by the acre. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,520 - $16,693
Landscaping Design	$1,762 - $2,349
Landscaping LandGrading	$404 - $2,426
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $121
Planting FlowerBeds	$81 - $1,618
Planting Trees	$212 - $353
Sodding	$40 - $49
Swimming Pool	$30,736 - $80,883