Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Middletown, PA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

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

Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps you avoid expensive mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills 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 Middletown Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations for choosing a landscaper, but it's also important that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

Look for 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, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements, and some also offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in certain areas, such as outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. Companies should have the appropriate licenses from the Middletown city government. Your provider may 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, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded; most contractors have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

We suggest checking third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to gauge a provider's reputation and customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews or frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results. Try to choose a provider with positive customer ratings.

Work Portfolio

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

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices might include eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management, and they're an important consideration when selecting a landscaping company. Landscaping work shouldn't impact your current vegetation. Additionally, your landscaper should choose native plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Ask your landscaper about sustainability practices for your project, and get recommendations for ways to reduce maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.

Cost

Request multiple quotes from different to compare pricing and services. Most landscapers offer free consultations during which they'll review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote should outline project costs such as materials and labor. You can use this quote to compare companies and sometimes negotiate a better deal.

Landscaping Costs in Middletown

Landscaping in Middletown generally costs between $28 and $42 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project type and size. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like gardening or mowing. Pricing can depend on your chosen materials. For a bigger yard, your provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects require more labor, which will increase the total price. The table below shows the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,704 - $16,939
Landscaping Design	$2,114 - $2,819
Landscaping LandGrading	$425 - $2,552
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $128
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,701
Planting Trees	$223 - $372
Sodding	$43 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,321 - $85,055