Do you want an outdoor space where you can relax, host friends, and enjoy being outside your house? Then you’re likely looking for the right contractor who can get the job done.
This guide explains how to choose a landscaping contractor who understands outdoor construction, plant selection, drainage management, and everything in between.
In addition to basic lawn care, a professional landscaping contractor can offer many other services in residential projects. These include:
Many landscaping projects overlap with other trades. Depending on the scope, your job may include:
Your project will be exposed to weather, soil movement, and regular usage. Choosing the right contractor minimizes the risk of costly repairs.
License requirements for landscaping contractors differ depending on the state and local government. In some areas, a contractor must have a general contractor license for structural work, while other jurisdictions require licensing specifically for irrigation systems and pesticides.
Ask the contractor:
Landscaping can involve large machinery and excavation. That’s why a contractor needs to have general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage.
Both technical and creative skills are involved in landscaping, and experience matters in areas like:
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is widely used to determine which plants are most likely to thrive in specific climate conditions.
Although certifications are often optional, they can demonstrate further education and training. Examples include:
If you’re trying to hire the best landscaping contractor in your area, look for reviews that mention:
Long-term results are what matter in landscaping. If possible, ask to view a project that has been completed for at least a year.
Preparing a list of questions to ask landscaping contractors helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps your project on track.
Ask them:
If hardscaping is involved, also ask about base preparation, compaction, and materials used beneath pavers or stone.
Understanding your estimate starts by understanding how much work your project actually needs. Some jobs only require mulch and lawn work. Others include grading, drainage updates, installations, irrigation, lighting, patios, or retaining walls.
That said, a rough number to start with is $4 to $12 per square foot. However, hardscape work will likely cost more.
A smaller job that could be defined as a yard “refresh” may cost around $500 to $3,000. A larger custom project with more features included can run from $15,000 to $40,000 or higher.
Adding plants can change the price. Shrubs can start from $25 to $85 each (including installation). Trees are much more expensive, usually costing around $100 to $750 for smaller specimens.
If you’re unsure how to hire a landscaping contractor, get two or three written estimates from contractors in order to compare the scope of work clearly.
Make sure that all the contractors are bidding on the same materials and quantities. A lower quote may include smaller plants or thinner paver bases.
A clear landscaping estimate should include the following items so you fully understand what to look for in a landscaping contractor when comparing proposals:
Do not accept vague descriptions of the scope without specific reference to the materials and quantities.
Clarify whether the following are included to avoid any additional costs that were not considered:
Some landscaping projects require permits, in particular, those involving structural elements.
Common considerations include:
A professional contractor should verify your local requirements before construction begins.
You may be fined or forced to modify your landscape after construction has been completed if you have failed to get the necessary permits.
Homeowners researching how to choose a contractor for home renovation projects often overlook important outdoor details. These mistakes can affect performance and durability:
It can take time to find a landscaping contractor, but Renovate helps speed things up. With Renovate, homeowners submit a home improvement request and also explore a landscape financing option. After submitting the request, a participating contractor may contact you.
If you notice standing water after rainfall, soil erosion, basement moisture, or plant roots sitting in soggy areas, you very likely have drainage problems.
A landscaping contractor can assess grading slopes, the type of soil, and how the water flows through the yard.
Drainage problems and poor water flow can damage foundations, kill plants, and weaken hardscape structures over time.
Landscaping typically refers to planting, lawn installation, soil preparation, and irrigation systems.
Hardscaping involves structural elements such as patios, walkways, retaining walls, and stone features.
Most often, contractors do a combination of both and explain how your plants and structural elements will complement each other.
Plant establishment time varies by species, size, and climate. Many shrubs establish within several months to a growing season, while trees often take longer.
As the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advises, proper watering, mulching, and making sure the soil is healthy are very important in the first year to make sure they survive.
