DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires intense labor and heavy equipment. Adding more complex elements, such as a fire pit or irrigation system, requires construction and machinery expertise.
Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are planning a total yard overhaul, consider hiring a professional.
Professional landscape designers and architects can not only enhance your lawn but can also recommend cost-effective upgrades and help develop a long-term landscape maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and expertise to elevate your outdoor living space. Contactors that also provide lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and prevent you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Orangetown Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations for choosing a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping providers serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, fertilizing, and mowing. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.
Plan to hire a full-service landscaper 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 gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements, and some even offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider should possess the appropriate licenses from the Orangetown 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
Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mostly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of past projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaper. These practices include waste management, eco-friendly material options, and water conservation. Landscaping contractors should choose plant life native to your area—such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower—for best results. The work on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. The company should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
You should request multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare rates and services and may even help you negotiate a lower price. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Orangetown
Generally, landscaping costs $28–$42 per hour in Orangetown. These figures vary based on project type and size. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Factors like your yard's size and the materials you choose will affect your final cost. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,745 - $16,993 |
Landscaping Design | $2,134 - $2,846 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $426 - $2,559 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $128 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $85 - $1,706 |
Planting Trees | $223 - $373 |
Sodding | $43 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $32,413 - $85,297 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Orangetown
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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