DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need construction and machinery experience as well.
Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are looking for a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term plans for landscape maintenance. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes doing it on your own.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Newark Landscaping Company
Choosing the right landscaping company depends on several factors, such as your budget, your service needs, and the company’s experience. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
You should know what services you need before selecting a company. Some companies offer lawn care services that focus on yard health and maintenance. These services can include controlling weeds, mulching, fertilizing, mowing, and pruning. Many also offer pest control and tree removal services.
Choose full-service landscaping if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They may also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in various areas, such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Newark city government. It may also employ the following certified professionals:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
Try to find a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, such as water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should use plants native to your area, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most landscapers offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project ideas. A detailed quote should outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use a quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in Newark
In Newark, you can expect to pay roughly $24–$35 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than more straightforward tasks such as mowing and gardening. Depending on your yard's size, the company may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,660 - $16,879 |
Landscaping Design | $1,782 - $2,377 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $406 - $2,434 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $122 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $81 - $1,623 |
Planting Trees | $213 - $355 |
Sodding | $41 - $49 |
Swimming Pool | $30,828 - $81,125 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Newark
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
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How should I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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