Best 5 Landscaping Companies in West Orange, NJ

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. 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 DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you're planning a larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an West Orange Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a provider's experience when selecting a landscaper. Keep the following factors in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

You should assess your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services might include controlling weeds, mulching, mowing, fertilizing, and pruning. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.

You should hire a full-service landscaper 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 gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the West Orange city government. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• 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 are an added bonus. Your landscaping contractor should be fully bonded and insured; most providers have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get an idea of how your project will look.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and provide recommendations for sustainable maintenance, like 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 they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.

Cost

We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies—this lets you compare rates and services and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in West Orange

Landscaping typically costs $24–$35 per hour in West Orange, depending on project type and size. Simple tasks, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than significant yard work, such as resodding. Factors such as the size of your yard and the materials you choose will all influence your final price. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase costs. 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