DIY Options vs. Professional Services
Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, landscaping requires more specialized knowledge. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need construction and machinery experience as well.
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're planning a larger yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaping contractor.
Professional landscape architects and designers can enhance your lawn, recommend the most cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term maintenance plan. These professionals have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. Contactors that offer lawn care services can improve the health of your lawn and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Norman Landscaping Company
You want to find a landscaping company that offers the services you need within your budget. You also want to know that your provider has a good reputation. Keep the following factors in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
You should assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you want assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services can include mulching, fertilizing, controlling weeds, pruning, and mowing. Some companies provide additional pest control services and tree removal.
You should hire a full-service landscaper if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your whole yard. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Most landscaping contractors are trained and certified in areas like lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the Norman city government. It might also employ the following certified professionals:
- Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
- Licensed arborists
- Licensed horticulture specialists
- Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects
Reputation and Reviews
You want a provider with an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of past projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping designs and projects, ideally ones that are similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is important to consider during and after landscaping work. Ask your provider about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you can also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping providers should opt for native plants (such as desert marigold, blackfoot daisy, and desert sand verbena) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.
Cost
You should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about services and pricing. Most companies conduct free consultations to review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote outlining your project costs, including materials and labor. You can use competing quotes to help negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Norman
Landscaping in Norman generally costs between $21 and $31 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will cost more than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Factors like materials and the size of your yard will all influence your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,840 - $15,787 |
Landscaping Design | $1,555 - $2,074 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $392 - $2,353 |
Landscaping Mulch | $24 - $118 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $78 - $1,569 |
Planting Trees | $205 - $343 |
Sodding | $39 - $47 |
Swimming Pool | $29,805 - $78,433 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Norman
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How should I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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