DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You may have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but 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 removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you want to do a total 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 identify the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who 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 Middletown Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for selecting a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before selecting a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, you’ll need a company offering lawn care services. These services can include controlling weeds, pruning, mowing, fertilizing, and mulching. Some companies offer additional pest control services and tree removal.
You'll want 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 designs and upgrades, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They may also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaping company should hold the appropriate licensure from the Middletown city government. Contractors often also have advanced training and certification in areas such as outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. Your provider might 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 using third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to get an idea of a company's customer experience and overall reputation. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of poor project results, unreliable customer service, or delayed projects. Try to choose a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your own design ideas so that you can get an idea of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is an important consideration during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should use native plant life (such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
You should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about pricing and services. Most companies provide free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and review project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote outlining your project costs, including labor and materials. You can use competing quotes to help negotiate a lower price.
Landscaping Costs in Middletown
In Middletown, you should expect to spend around $25–$37 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks such as mowing and gardening. Larger projects require more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company might charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,578 - $16,770 |
Landscaping Design | $1,866 - $2,489 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $411 - $2,464 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $123 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $82 - $1,642 |
Planting Trees | $215 - $359 |
Sodding | $41 - $49 |
Swimming Pool | $31,206 - $82,121 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Middletown
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 can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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