DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Most homeowners have a basic level of lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Large projects may require intense labor and heavy equipment. Complicated projects such as fire pits or irrigation systems need additional machinery and construction expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. Professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help develop a plan for long-term maintenance.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Wake Forest Landscaping Company
Finding the right landscaper involves finding one with good experience that also fits your service needs and budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services may include controlling weeds, pruning, fertilizing, mulching, and mowing. Some companies provide additional pest control services and tree removal.
You need a full-service landscaper if you plan to do a full revamp of your yard or want to install elements such as retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, or fire pits. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to architectural and design services.
Licensing and Experience
Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. 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
Reputation and Reviews
We suggest checking third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's reputation and customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results. Try to find a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previous projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.
Sustainability Practices
Ask your landscaping company about its sustainability practices, including eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should be able to 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, the company should select plants native to your area, such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower. Any work they complete shouldn't affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, as you can use these to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a lower price.
Landscaping Costs in Wake Forest
Landscaping in Wake Forest generally costs between $25 and $38 per hour. These prices depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,107 - $17,476 |
Landscaping Design | $1,930 - $2,573 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $414 - $2,486 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $124 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $83 - $1,657 |
Planting Trees | $217 - $362 |
Sodding | $41 - $50 |
Swimming Pool | $31,492 - $82,875 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Wake Forest
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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