Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Clay, NY

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping employs intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need machinery and construction experience as well.

Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are planning a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Clay Landscaping Company

Finding the right landscaper involves finding one with enough experience that also meets your budget and service needs. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

Plan to hire a full-service landscaping company if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Clay 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

It may also hold 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. Landscaping companies should be fully bonded and insured. Contractors typically have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. Avoid providers that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after images. You can ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for native plant life (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Homeowners should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote outlining your project costs, including labor and materials. You may wish to use competing quotes to help negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Clay

Generally, landscaping costs $23–$35 per hour in Clay. These figures 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, your provider may charge by the acre. Larger or more complex projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,383 - $16,511
Landscaping Design	$1,753 - $2,337
Landscaping LandGrading	$404 - $2,423
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $121
Planting FlowerBeds	$81 - $1,616
Planting Trees	$212 - $353
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,695 - $80,775