DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping needs more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. Adding more complex elements, such as a fire pit or irrigation system, requires construction and machinery expertise.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping works for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape architects and designers have the proper knowledge and skill set to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend the most cost-effective upgrades and develop long-term landscape maintenance plans. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making expensive mistakes attempting it yourself.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Toledo Landscaping Company
Take into consideration factors such as your services needs and budget as well as a company's experience when hiring a landscaping company. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as mulching, pruning, fertilizing, controlling weeds, and mowing. These companies often also provide pest control and tree removal services.
Look for 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 designs and upgrades, such as gardening, adding hardscapes, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some also provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the Toledo city government. It may 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 recommend using third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's reputation and customer experience. Stay away from companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results. Try to select a company with positive customer ratings.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping company's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after photos. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how yours will look.
Sustainability Practices
A landscaping company's sustainability practices are essential. These practices include waste management, water conservation, and eco-friendly material options. Landscaping contractors should select native plant life—such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant—for best results. The work done on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. The company should advise you of sustainability practices for your project and offer recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
Many providers offer free consultations, during which the contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project costs such as labor and materials. 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 Toledo
In Toledo, you should expect to pay roughly $22–$33 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than easier tasks like mowing and gardening. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, companies might charge by the acre. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total cost. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,165 - $17,553 |
Landscaping Design | $1,678 - $2,237 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $399 - $2,397 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $120 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $80 - $1,598 |
Planting Trees | $209 - $349 |
Sodding | $40 - $48 |
Swimming Pool | $30,357 - $79,887 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Toledo
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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