Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Salem, OR

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You likely have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. Complicated landscaping projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also necessitate 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 larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. These professionals have the skills and know-how to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Salem Landscaping Company

You should consider factors such as your budget and service needs as well as a company's experience when hiring a landscaping company. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

You'll need full-service landscaping if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. They may also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Companies should possess the appropriate licenses from the Oregon Landscape Contractors Board. Your provider may have the following certified staff members:

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

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. While not mandatory, these certifications show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscaping companies should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors should have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

We suggest using third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get an idea of a company's customer experience and overall reputation. Stay away from companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service. Try to find a company with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies will have before and after photos of previous projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is important to consider both during and after landscaping work. Ask your provider about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for native plants (such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't allow their work to affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many companies offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project costs such as materials and labor. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Salem

Generally, landscaping costs $25–$37 per hour in Salem. These costs vary based on project type and size. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as mowing or gardening, will be less expensive than a larger project like resodding. Larger projects require more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. The cost will also be affected by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,158 - $16,210
Landscaping Design	$1,891 - $2,522
Landscaping LandGrading	$412 - $2,473
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $124
Planting FlowerBeds	$82 - $1,648
Planting Trees	$216 - $360
Sodding	$41 - $49
Swimming Pool	$31,319 - $82,417