DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as a fire pit or irrigation system, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.
You can complete some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants, are easier to DIY. However, you should hire a landscaping contractor for things like a complete yard overhaul, or smaller projects for which you lack the needed expertise.
Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. Your local professional can help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Parsippany-Troy Hills Landscaping Company
Selecting the right landscaper comes down to certain factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
You should assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services might include pruning, mowing, fertilizing, mulching, and controlling weeds. Some companies offer additional pest management services and tree removal.
You need a full-service landscaper for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some provide lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in various areas, such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Parsippany-Troy Hills 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
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 to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previously completed projects with prospective customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, ideally ones that are 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
Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should be able to 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, the company should use native area plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request multiple quotes from different to compare services and prices. Most companies offer free consultations in which they'll review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.
Landscaping Costs in Parsippany-Troy Hills
Generally, landscaping costs $30–$45 per hour in Parsippany-Troy Hills. These prices vary based on project size and type. Less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will be less expensive than a larger project like resodding. Depending on your yard's size, the company may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex projects require more labor, increasing the price. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,093 - $17,457 |
Landscaping Design | $2,291 - $3,055 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $436 - $2,615 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $131 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $87 - $1,743 |
Planting Trees | $228 - $381 |
Sodding | $44 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $33,119 - $87,155 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Parsippany-Troy Hills
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Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
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