Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Lakewood, NJ

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 projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also require machinery and construction experience.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you're planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaper.

Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps you avoid expensive mistakes. Professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a long-term maintenance plan.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Lakewood Landscaping Company

Choosing the right landscaping company comes down to certain factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before selecting a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, find one that offers lawn care services. These services can include pruning, controlling weeds, mulching, fertilizing, and mowing. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.

You'll want a full-service landscaping company if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in various areas, such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Lakewood city government. It might also employ the following certified professionals:

• 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 an added bonus, but not mandatory. Ask to see a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before beginning a project. All landscapers should be bonded and insured. Contractors normally have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

Find a contractor with good customer reviews. You can look at third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to ensure a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance contractors are happy to share their completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping projects and designs. They may also have before and after pictures to show off their quality work. Request finished landscape designs similar to your project to get a better idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should choose native plant life (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare your options and sometimes negotiate a better deal.

Landscaping Costs in Lakewood

Landscaping typically costs $28–$42 per hour in Lakewood, depending on project size and type. Simple tasks like gardening or mowing are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,796 - $17,061
Landscaping Design	$2,109 - $2,813
Landscaping LandGrading	$425 - $2,550
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $128
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,700
Planting Trees	$223 - $371
Sodding	$43 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,301 - $85,001