DIY Options vs. Professional Services
While many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills, more specialized knowledge is needed for landscaping. Full-scale landscaping requires intense labor and heavy equipment. More complex elements, such as fire pits or irrigation systems, need construction and machinery experience as well.
Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can be good 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 lack basic lawn expertise.
Hiring a landscape architect or designer helps prevent you from making expensive mistakes. 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 Provo Landscaping Company
Selecting the right landscaping company 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 cater to different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as pruning, mulching, controlling weeds, fertilizing, and mowing. These companies often also provide pest control and tree removal services.
A full-service landscaping company is your best choice if you're planning to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and retaining walls. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, such as landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.
Licensing and Experience
Landscapers often have advanced training and certification in areas like outdoor design, lawn maintenance, and horticulture. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the Utah Division of Professional Licensing. It may also have 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
Look for a contractor with good customer reviews. You can look at third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau to ensure a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Try to avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.
Work Portfolio
Request to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's previous work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are proud to share projects and designs with potential customers, including before and after images. Ask to see photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas to get a picture of how your project will look.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaper. These practices include water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options. Landscaping contractors should select native plant life—such as Colorado blue columbine, heartleaf arnica, and scarlet gilia—for best results. The work on your property shouldn't affect 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 providers offer free consultations. During this process, the contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and go over project plans. Your detailed quote will outline project expenses like labor and materials. We recommend getting quotes from multiple companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a better price.
Landscaping Costs in Provo
Landscaping in Provo generally costs between $26 and $40 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will impact your final cost. For larger yards, a provider might charge by the acre. Large or complex projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:
Landscaping Service | Average Cost |
---|---|
Deck | $11,816 - $15,755 |
Landscaping Design | $2,003 - $2,670 |
Landscaping LandGrading | $419 - $2,512 |
Landscaping Mulch | $25 - $126 |
Planting FlowerBeds | $84 - $1,675 |
Planting Trees | $219 - $366 |
Sodding | $42 - $50 |
Swimming Pool | $31,820 - $83,736 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Landscaping in Provo
What are some warning signs of a bad landscaper?
What are the benefits of landscaping?
Is a landscaper the same as a gardener?
What is a landscape designer?
How can I negotiate pricing with a landscaping company?
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