DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You might have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, 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 don't have basic lawn expertise or if you want to do a larger yard overhaul, consider hiring a landscaping contractor.
Hiring a landscape designer or architect helps prevent you from making costly mistakes. These professionals have the knowledge and skills to elevate your outdoor space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a long-term maintenance plan.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an East Providence Landscaping Company
Reputation and experience are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but it's also important that your provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.
Services Offered
Consider your landscaping needs before choosing a company. Some providers offer lawn care services—including fertilizing, pruning, controlling weeds, mulching, and mowing—to improve yard health and maintenance. These companies often also provide pest control and tree clearing services.
Look for a full-service landscaping company if you're adding new outdoor elements (such as a fire pit) or planning a revamp of your whole yard. These providers specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements, and some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the East Providence 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
Reputation and Reviews
Make sure you choose a contractor with good customer reviews. You can look at third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to verify that a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including ones that frequently mention delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results.
Work Portfolio
Ask for a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get an idea of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaping company. These practices include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Landscaping contractors should select native plant life—such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower—for best results. The work done on your property shouldn't affect your existing vegetation. The company should advise you of sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
You should request multiple quotes from different companies—this lets you compare services and cost and might even help you negotiate a better deal. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, discuss project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote should include information about various project costs, such as labor and materials.
Landscaping Costs in East Providence
In East Providence, you can expect to pay roughly $31–$46 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will be more expensive than more straightforward tasks like gardening and mowing. Factors such as your yard's size and the materials you choose will impact your final cost. For larger yards, a provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects need more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $12,663 - $16,884 |
Landscaping Design | $2,316 - $3,088 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $437 - $2,624 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $131 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $87 - $1,749 |
Planting Trees | $229 - $382 |
Sodding | $44 - $52 |
Swimming Pool | $33,231 - $87,451 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in East Providence
What are warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are some benefits of landscaping?
Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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