Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Lower Merion, PA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is required for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as irrigation systems or fire pits, need machinery and construction experience as well.

Small landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are planning a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the right skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They can recommend 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 Lower Merion Landscaping Company

Selecting the right landscaper involves finding one with the right experience that also fits your service needs and budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as controlling weeds, mulching, pruning, fertilizing, and mowing. These providers also often offer pest management and tree cutting services.

A full-service landscaper is the way to go if you're planning to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and fire pits. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the Lower Merion city government. It might also employ 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 hold certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications aren't mandatory, but they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Most providers have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Look for companies with positive customer reviews and strong reputations. Check third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Read negative and positive reviews to gauge how a provider treats its customers. Stay away from companies with mostly negative customer reviews and frequent mentions of delayed projects, poor project results, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share their completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping projects and designs. They might also have before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Request completed landscape designs similar to your project to get an idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your provider about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for native plants (such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many landscapers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare rates and services and sometimes negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Lower Merion

Landscaping typically costs $30–$46 per hour in Lower Merion, depending on project size and type. Simple tasks like mowing or gardening are less expensive than significant yard work, such as resodding. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, companies might charge by the acre. Larger projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below shows the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,936 - $17,248
Landscaping Design	$2,307 - $3,076
Landscaping LandGrading	$437 - $2,620
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $131
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,747
Planting Trees	$229 - $382
Sodding	$44 - $52
Swimming Pool	$33,190 - $87,343