Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Rochester, NY

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires 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 removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have the needed lawn expertise or are looking for a complete yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Rochester Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a provider's experience when hiring a landscaper. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

You should assess your landscaping needs before selecting a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services may include mulching, pruning, mowing, controlling weeds, and fertilizing. Some companies offer additional pest management services and tree removal.

You should 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 upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some even offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Rochester city government. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. 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, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Request a certificate of insurance or a provider's insurance numbers before starting a project. All landscaping companies should be bonded and insured. Contractors typically have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. We recommend checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Look for both negative and positive reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previous projects with prospective customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, preferably ones similar to your own ideas. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

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

Cost

Request multiple quotes from different to compare pricing and services. Most companies offer free consultations during which they'll review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use this quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Rochester

In Rochester, you can expect to spend roughly $30–$45 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than simpler tasks such as gardening and mowing. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a larger yard, your provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,250 - $16,333
Landscaping Design	$2,266 - $3,022
Landscaping LandGrading	$434 - $2,606
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $130
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,737
Planting Trees	$228 - $380
Sodding	$43 - $52
Swimming Pool	$33,006 - $86,859