Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Toms River, NJ

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Large projects may require heavy equipment and intense labor. Complicated projects such as irrigation systems and fire pits require additional construction and machinery expertise.

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

Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents expensive DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Toms River Landscaping Company

You want to find a landscaping company that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Also ensure that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—such as pruning, mulching, controlling weeds, mowing, and fertilizing—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

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

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaper should possess the appropriate licenses from the Toms River city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. 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 might also have certifications from professional organizations, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscapers should have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Any contractor you hire should be fully bonded and insured. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a provider with 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 provider treats its customers. Avoid providers that have frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and offer recommendations for sustainable maintenance, like how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, the company should select plants native to your area, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work they complete shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Toms River

Landscaping in Toms River generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Bigger projects require more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company may charge by the acre. The price will also be affected by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

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