Best 5 Landscaping Companies in McLean, VA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance skills. However, 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 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 consider hiring a professional landscaping company if you’re completing a yard overhaul or don’t have 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 living space, recommend cost-effective upgrades, and help you develop a plan for long-term maintenance.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an McLean Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaper, but you also want to ensure that your provider offers the services you need within your budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

Different landscaping companies serve different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services that help with your yard's health and maintenance, such as pruning, fertilizing, controlling weeds, mowing, and mulching. These companies often also provide pest management and tree cutting 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 upgrades and designs, such as gardening, landscaping rock projects, and adding hardscapes. They can also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some also offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the McLean city government. It might also employ the following certified professionals:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors usually have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Homeowners should request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share photos of previous projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, preferably 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 is an important consideration both during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for eco-friendly material options, waste management, and water conservation; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscaping companies should opt for native plant life (such as trumpet honeysuckle, climbing aster, and narrowleaf sunflower) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

You should request multiple quotes from different companies. This allows you to compare rates and services and can even help you negotiate a better deal. Many providers offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and make recommendations. Your detailed quote will include information about various project costs, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in McLean

In McLean, you can expect to spend approximately $30–$45 for landscaping, depending on project size and type. Significant yard work such as resodding will cost more than easier tasks such as mowing and gardening. Depending on your yard size, your provider may charge by the acre. Large-scale projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,206 - $17,608
Landscaping Design	$2,248 - $2,997
Landscaping LandGrading	$433 - $2,599
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $130
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,733
Planting Trees	$227 - $379
Sodding	$43 - $52
Swimming Pool	$32,924 - $86,643