Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Scranton, PA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping necessitates more advanced skills. Completing a full-scale landscaping project requires heavy equipment and intense labor. More complex elements, such as fire put or irrigation systems, require construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds. However, if you don't have basic lawn expertise or if you want to do a larger yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaper.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can explain the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making expensive mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Scranton Landscaping Company

Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that the provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

Plan to hire a full-service landscaping company for full-yard revamps or to install elements such as retaining walls, fire pits, or sprinkler or irrigation systems. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. Some offer lawn maintenance services in addition to design and architectural services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like outdoor design, horticulture, and lawn maintenance. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Scranton 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, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory but can add to a provider's credibility. Landscaping contractors should have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Any contractor you hire should be fully bonded and insured. Make sure to request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

You want a contractor who has an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Check both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. Avoid companies that have frequent mentions of unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of past projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones similar to the ideas you have for your yard. Companies often have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaping contractor about their sustainability practices, such as eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and offer recommendations for sustainable maintenance, such as how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, the company should select native area plants, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't have an impact on your existing vegetation.

Cost

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

Landscaping Costs in Scranton

Generally, landscaping costs $27–$41 per hour in Scranton. These prices vary based on project size and type. Tasks that require less complicated work, such as gardening or mowing, will cost less than a larger project like resodding. Pricing will vary based on your chosen materials. For a large yard, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the total price. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,642 - $16,857
Landscaping Design	$2,069 - $2,758
Landscaping LandGrading	$423 - $2,536
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $127
Planting FlowerBeds	$85 - $1,690
Planting Trees	$221 - $369
Sodding	$42 - $51
Swimming Pool	$32,116 - $84,517