DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also necessitate 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 landscaper.
Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents expensive DIY mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Elyria Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a provider. Some companies offer lawn care services—including fertilizing, controlling weeds, mulching, pruning, and mowing—to help improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.
You should hire a full-service landscaping company if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your entire yard. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Elyria city government. 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
Look for companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. Read about the company on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both positive and negative reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mainly negative reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of past projects with potential customers. Request to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, ideally ones similar to your own ideas. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaper. These include eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation. Landscaping contractors should choose plant life native to your area—such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant—for best results. Any work completed on your property shouldn't impact existing vegetation. Your landscaper should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.
Cost
You should request quotes from multiple companies. This lets you compare rates and services and may 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 will include information about various project expenses, such as materials and labor.
Landscaping Costs in Elyria
Generally, landscaping costs $23–$35 per hour in Elyria. These costs vary based on project type and size. Less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, companies might charge by the acre. Bigger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,011 - $16,015 |
Landscaping Design | $1,762 - $2,349 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $404 - $2,426 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $121 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $81 - $1,618 |
Planting Trees | $212 - $353 |
Sodding | $40 - $49 |
Swimming Pool | $30,736 - $80,883 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Elyria
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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