Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Jacksonville, NC

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

You can handle some landscaping projects on your own. Smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed, are easier to DIY. However, you should hire a landscaping contractor for things like a complete yard overhaul, and for smaller projects if you lack the needed expertise.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Jacksonville Landscaping Company

Selecting the right landscaping company involves finding one with the right experience that also fits your budget and service needs. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Consider your lawn's needs when choosing a landscaping company. Some providers offer lawn care services—including mowing, mulching, controlling weeds, pruning, and fertilizing—to help with yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

You'll need full-service landscaping if you plan to revamp your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• 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. While not mandatory, these certifications are an added bonus. Landscapers should have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Any provider you hire should be fully bonded and insured. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. You can check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, poor project results, or delayed projects.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share their finished projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping designs and projects. They may also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Ask about finished landscape designs similar to your planned project to get an idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your provider about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for native plants (such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare services and cost and can even help you negotiate a better deal. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Jacksonville

Landscaping in Jacksonville generally costs between $22 and $32 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company may charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,011 - $16,015
Landscaping Design	$1,630 - $2,174
Landscaping LandGrading	$397 - $2,380
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $119
Planting FlowerBeds	$79 - $1,586
Planting Trees	$208 - $347
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,142 - $79,322