DIY Options vs. Professional Services
You may have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. More complicated landscaping projects, such as adding a fire pit or irrigation system, also necessitate construction and machinery experience.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work for smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants. However, you should hire a professional landscaping company if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or don’t have basic lawn expertise.
Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to develop a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who offers lawn care services can improve your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making costly mistakes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing an Dallas Landscaping Company
Experience and reputation are important considerations for selecting a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.
Services Offered
You should know what services you need before selecting a company. Some companies provide lawn care services focusing on yard health and maintenance. These services might include controlling weeds, fertilizing, mulching, mowing, and pruning. Many also offer pest control and tree removal services.
You should hire a full-service landscaping company if you're revamping your entire yard or adding new elements, such as a fire pit. These providers specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install retaining walls, fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some even provide lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Your landscaper should have the appropriate licenses from the Dallas city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. Your provider might 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
You want a provider with an excellent reputation and positive customer reviews. Read both negative and positive reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a provider treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service, or that have overall poor reviews.
Work Portfolio
Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previously completed projects with potential customers. Request 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
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaping company. These include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Your provider should use plant life native to your area—such as desert marigold, blackfoot daisy, and desert sand verbena—for best results. Any work done on your property shouldn't impact your existing vegetation. Your landscaper should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and offer recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, waste, and water consumption.
Cost
Many landscapers offer free consultations, during which a contractor will review your outdoor space, provide recommendations, and discuss project ideas. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, as you can use these to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Dallas
In Dallas, you should expect to pay around $29–$43 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks like gardening and mowing. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, which will increase the cost. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $13,448 - $17,931 |
Landscaping Design | $2,178 - $2,903 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $429 - $2,574 |
Landscaping Mulch | $26 - $129 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $86 - $1,716 |
Planting Trees | $225 - $375 |
Sodding | $43 - $51 |
Swimming Pool | $32,607 - $85,809 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Dallas
What are warning signs of a bad landscaping company?
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Are landscapers the same as gardeners?
What is a landscape designer?
How do I negotiate a price with a landscaping company?
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