Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Plainfield, NJ

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. Adding more complex elements, such as a fire pit or irrigation system, requires construction and machinery expertise.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop 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 costly DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Plainfield Landscaping Company

You want to find a landscaping company that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some focus on services that help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as fertilizing, pruning, mulching, controlling weeds, and mowing. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.

Look for a full-service landscaping company if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Plainfield city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider may have the following certified members on staff:

• 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. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Landscapers should have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Your provider should be fully insured and bonded. Make sure to request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Make sure you choose a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can check third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that 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 companies have before and after photos of previously completed projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, so you can see how your yard might look, and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices might include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaping company. Landscaping work done on your property shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Ask your landscaper about sustainability practices for projects like yours, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

You should request multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare rates and services and might even help you negotiate a lower price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project costs, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in Plainfield

In Plainfield, you should expect to pay around $30–$44 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks like gardening and mowing. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. The table below shows the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,728 - $16,970
Landscaping Design	$2,234 - $2,979
Landscaping LandGrading	$432 - $2,594
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $130
Planting FlowerBeds	$86 - $1,730
Planting Trees	$227 - $378
Sodding	$43 - $52
Swimming Pool	$32,863 - $86,482