Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Charlotte, NC

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. Complicated projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also require machinery and construction experience.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you want to do a larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Charlotte Landscaping Company

You want to find a landscaper that offers the services you need within your budget. 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

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as mulching, mowing, controlling weeds, pruning, and fertilizing—to improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree removal services.

A full-service landscaping company is your best choice if you're planning to revamp your entire yard or install architectural elements such as fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and retaining walls. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. Some may also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaping company should hold the appropriate licensure from the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, 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 may also have certifications from professional organizations, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory but can add to a provider's credibility. Your landscaping contractor should be fully bonded and insured. Most contractors have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Find a contractor who gets good reviews from customers. You can look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to ensure a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including ones that frequently mention unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previous projects with prospective customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, ideally ones that are similar to your own ideas. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, including water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and provide recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, the company should use native area plants, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Any work they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many landscapers offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Charlotte

Landscaping in Charlotte generally costs between $26 and $39 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project size and type. Bigger projects, such as 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, increasing the price. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,073 - $17,430
Landscaping Design	$1,989 - $2,652
Landscaping LandGrading	$418 - $2,507
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $125
Planting FlowerBeds	$84 - $1,671
Planting Trees	$219 - $365
Sodding	$42 - $50
Swimming Pool	$31,758 - $83,575