Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Auburn, WA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Although many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, landscaping needs more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. If you want to add complex elements such as an irrigation system or fire pit, you'll need someone with construction and machinery expertise.

You can handle some landscaping projects yourself. Smaller projects, such as adding a flower bed or removing overgrown plants, are easier to DIY. You should hire a landscaping contractor for things like a total yard overhaul, and for smaller projects if you don't have the needed expertise.

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

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Auburn Landscaping Company

Selecting the right landscaper involves finding one with good experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

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

Choose a full-service landscaping company if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They can also help install sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers have advanced training and certifications in various areas, such as lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Companies should hold the appropriate licensure from the Auburn city government. It may employ the following certified staff members:

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

It might also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Request a certificate of insurance or a company's insurance numbers before beginning a project. All landscaping companies should be insured and bonded. Contractors will usually have liability insurance for protection against bodily injury or property damage.

Reputation and Reviews

Try to find a provider with a good reputation and positive customer reviews. You can read both positive and negative reviews on third-party review sites like the Better Business Bureau in order to get a feel for how a company treats its customers. You want to avoid providers that have frequent mentions of delayed projects, unreliable customer service, or poor project results, or that have overall poor reviews.

Work Portfolio

Ask to see a portfolio of your landscaping contractor's past work. Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share designs and projects with potential customers, including before and after pictures. Ask for photos of past projects that are similar to your design ideas so that you can get a picture of how yours will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after a landscaping project. Ask your landscaping company about its best practices for water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should use native plants (such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry) when planting new vegetation, and they shouldn't let their work affect your existing vegetation.

Cost

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

Landscaping Costs in Auburn

Landscaping typically costs $30–$45 per hour in Auburn, depending on project size and type. Simple tasks like mowing or gardening are less expensive than major yard work, such as resodding. Depending on your yard's size, your provider may charge by the acre. Bigger projects require more labor, increasing the project total. Pricing will also vary depending on your selected materials. The table below shows the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,963 - $17,284
Landscaping Design	$2,291 - $3,055
Landscaping LandGrading	$436 - $2,615
Landscaping Mulch	$26 - $131
Planting FlowerBeds	$87 - $1,743
Planting Trees	$228 - $381
Sodding	$44 - $52
Swimming Pool	$33,119 - $87,155