DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is needed for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping employs heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need machinery and construction experience as well.
You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. 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 designer or architect helps you avoid expensive mistakes. Professionals have the knowledge and skills 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 Woodbridge Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing a landscaping company, but it's also important that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some companies offer lawn care services—including controlling weeds, fertilizing, mowing, pruning, and mulching—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaper is your best option if you're planning to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some also offer lawn maintenance 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 have the appropriate licenses from the Woodbridge 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
Make sure you choose a contractor with good customer reviews. You can check third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to ensure 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, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previous projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, ideally ones 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
Sustainability is important to consider during and after landscaping work. Ask your provider about its best practices for waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should use native plants (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request multiple quotes from different to compare services and prices. Most landscapers offer free consultations where they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project ideas. A detailed quote should outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use this quote to compare your options and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Woodbridge
Generally, landscaping costs $26–$39 per hour in Woodbridge. These prices vary based on project size and type. Less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Depending on the size of your yard, the company may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the price. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,888 - $18,518 |
Landscaping Design | $1,948 - $2,598 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $415 - $2,493 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $125 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $83 - $1,662 |
Planting Trees | $218 - $363 |
Sodding | $42 - $50 |
Swimming Pool | $31,574 - $83,090 |
Ready to Get a Quote on Your Lawn Care Project?
Please enter a valid 5-digit zip code!
Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Woodbridge
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviewsteam@thisoldhousereviews.com.