DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, 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 construction and machinery experience as well.
You can do some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants, are easier to DIY. However, you should hire a landscaping contractor for things like a total yard overhaul, and for smaller projects if you lack the needed expertise.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. 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 Smithtown Landscaping Company
You want to find a landscaper that offers the services you need at a reasonable price. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you need assistance with yard health and maintenance, find one that offers lawn care services. These services can include controlling weeds, fertilizing, mowing, mulching, and pruning. Some companies provide additional pest management services and tree removal.
Look for full-service landscaping if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They may also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. A company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Smithtown city government. It might also employ the following certified staff members:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
We suggest checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a company's reputation and customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service. Try to select a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previous projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Ask to see the company's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping company about its sustainability practices, including water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider can explain its own sustainability practices and offer recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, the company should select native area plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't have an impact on your existing vegetation.
Cost
Request quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services. Most landscapers offer free consultations during which they'll review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. A detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. You can use a quote to compare with other companies and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Smithtown
Landscaping in Smithtown generally costs between $34 and $51 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also depend on your selected materials. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,134 - $17,512 |
Landscaping Design | $2,586 - $3,449 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $453 - $2,720 |
Landscaping Mulch | $27 - $136 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $91 - $1,813 |
Planting Trees | $238 - $396 |
Sodding | $45 - $54 |
Swimming Pool | $34,449 - $90,654 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Smithtown
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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