Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Albany, OR

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You might have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. More complicated projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also necessitate machinery and construction experience.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can be good for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should hire a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the proper skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and create 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 Albany Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some providers offer lawn care services—such as fertilizing, mulching, controlling weeds, mowing, and pruning—to improve your yard health and maintenance. These companies often also offer pest control and tree clearing services.

You should hire a full-service landscaper if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, 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 even offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. It may also have the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications aren't mandatory, but they’re an added bonus. Landscapers should have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Your provider should be fully insured and bonded. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to confirm coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

We suggest using 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 poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service. Try to find a company with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance contractors are happy to share completed projects with potential customers. Ask the company for its portfolio of landscaping designs and projects. They might also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Ask about completed landscape designs similar to your project to get an idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

A landscaping company's sustainability practices are essential. These practices include eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Landscaping contractors should choose plant life native to your area—such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry—for best results. Any work done on your property shouldn't affect your existing vegetation. The company should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and offer recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

We recommend requesting multiple quotes from different companies. This lets you compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a better price. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project costs, such as materials and labor.

Landscaping Costs in Albany

Landscaping in Albany generally costs between $23 and $35 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project type and size. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, companies may charge by the acre. Large or complex projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$11,287 - $15,050
Landscaping Design	$1,760 - $2,346
Landscaping LandGrading	$404 - $2,426
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $121
Planting FlowerBeds	$81 - $1,617
Planting Trees	$212 - $353
Sodding	$40 - $49
Swimming Pool	$30,725 - $80,856