Best 5 Landscaping Companies in La Crosse, WI

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You probably have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, heavy equipment, and intense labor. More complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also require machinery and construction experience.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) landscaping can work for smaller projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding a flower bed. However, you should consider hiring a professional landscaper if you’re doing a total yard overhaul or lack basic lawn expertise.

Professional landscape designers and architects have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can explain 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 La Crosse Landscaping Company

Choosing the right landscaping company involves finding one with the right experience that also fits your service needs and budget. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

You'll need full-service landscaping 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 landscaping rock projects, adding hardscapes, and gardening. They can also help install fire pits, sprinkler or irrigation systems, retaining walls, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Most landscapers are trained and certified in areas like lawn maintenance, horticulture, and outdoor design. Your provider should hold the appropriate licensure from the La Crosse 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, including the Professional Landcare Network and the National Association of Landscape Professionals. These certifications are not mandatory but can lend credibility to a provider. Your landscaping contractor should be fully bonded and insured; most contractors have liability insurance to protect against property damage or bodily injury. Ask to see an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to verify a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previous projects to demonstrate the quality of their work. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask to see other projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including eco-friendly material options, water conservation, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and give you recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, water consumption, and waste. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should choose plants native to your area, such as swamp milkweed, wild columbine, and cup-plant. Any work they complete shouldn't impact your existing vegetation.

Cost

Many providers offer free consultations. During this process, a contractor will review your outdoor space, offer recommendations, and discuss project plans. Your detailed quote will cover project expenses like materials and labor. We recommend getting multiple quotes from different companies, which you can then use to compare services and rates and sometimes negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in La Crosse

Landscaping in La Crosse generally costs between $23 and $34 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project size and type. Bigger projects like resodding will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Bigger projects require more labor, which increases the total cost. Depending on the size of your yard, your provider might charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. The table below breaks down the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$12,516 - $16,688
Landscaping Design	$1,730 - $2,307
Landscaping LandGrading	$403 - $2,415
Landscaping Mulch	$24 - $121
Planting FlowerBeds	$81 - $1,610
Planting Trees	$211 - $352
Sodding	$40 - $48
Swimming Pool	$30,592 - $80,506