How to Tell if Your Landscaping Company Is Giving You a Fair Price
How to Tell if Your Landscaping Company Is Giving You a Fair Price
Whether you’re receiving lawn care treatments, mowing, or other professional landscaping services, you will want to know how much a given company charges. You’ll also want to know how their landscaping prices compare to that of other landscaping companies in your area. When investing in a professional landscaping service, you deserve to receive both the customer service and the results that you deserve. In this article, we’ll discuss how to tell if your landscaping company is giving you a fair price, including the average landscaping costs for different services, so you can effectively find and receive fair pricing for your landscaping.
Using a Professional Landscaping Company
As an umbrella term, landscaping can include planning your land use, designing, preparing the land, and installing or planting your desired additions. However, unless you have specific landscaping design experience, these projects are best left to knowledgeable professionals. Using a knowledgeable landscaping professional also comes with the added benefits of saving time, not having to buy your own materials, having less disorder and fewer problems, receiving good project planning and management, getting the right plants, receiving expert advice, and effectively accomplishing your landscaping budget.
How Much Does Landscaping Cost?
Landscaping your outdoor spaces can increase your home’s value and greatly improve its curb appeal. Beautiful professional landscaping also has other impactful physical, mental, and emotional benefits to the given owners, guests, and passersby alike. However, landscaping prices can differ based on the scope and size of the job. According to Forbes, landscaping costs for smaller jobs, such as basic lawn maintenance and care, can sometimes be as low as $50, while other more labor-intensive work, including complex design work, can raise prices to $7,000. Forbes reports the average as around $700.
Per square foot, landscaping prices reportedly cost an average of $4 to $12 per square foot for basic and intermediate services. A full outdoor makeover, including landscaping, remodeling, and design, can cost upwards of $40 per square foot. Services considered basic to intermediate can include planting flowers or grass, thatching, and lawn care. Remodeling typically involves a more complete exterior design and re-grading the area and demolition. Other sources, however, report the national average for large and small landscaping as around $12,000 with a cost range between $4,000 and $20,000 as landscaping varies by services, time, and materials.
Different Types of Landscaping Company Projects and Fair Pricing:
How much is Landscaping Lighting?
The cost of landscape lighting can vary depending on the specific features and elements you choose to include in your design. Typically, a basic lighting package may start at around $1,500. However, if you opt for additional features such as uplighting, multiple zones, or remote control capabilities, the cost is likely to increase.
A standard lighting package usually consists of essential components like a transformer for power supply, a timer or photocell for controlling the hours of operation, and path lighting to guide guests safely. These basic fixtures not only enhance the curb appeal of your home but also offer functional benefits by providing illumination and security.
For a more comprehensive lighting setup, you might consider incorporating uplighting using spotlights or well lights to highlight architectural features like walls, columns, or unique landscape elements. Downlighting, which involves installing lights on porch posts, columns, or trees, can illuminate walkways and outdoor spaces with a subtle moonlighting effect.
Enhancing your landscape with tree uplighting can add depth and visual interest to your outdoor areas, allowing you to enjoy your garden even after sunset. Different plants and trees can produce intriguing shadows or vibrant colors when illuminated at night, creating a captivating ambiance in your outdoor space.
Overall, the cost of landscape lighting will depend on the complexity of your design, the quality of fixtures and materials chosen, and the size of the area to be illuminated. It is recommended that you consult with a professional lighting designer to assess your needs and create a tailored lighting plan that fits your budget and enhances the beauty and functionality of your outdoor space.
How much does a Water Feature Cost?
When considering the cost of a water feature, it’s essential to consider the wide variety of options available. Prices can range significantly based on the size and complexity of the project. For instance, a basic water feature like a bubbling rock may start at around $2,000, while more elaborate designs, such as waterfalls flowing into pools or large ponds for fish or swimming purposes, could cost $30,000 or more. Ultimately, the cost of a water feature depends on the specific features and design elements desired by the customer.
How much are Landscaping Materials?
The cost of landscaping materials can vary widely depending on the type and size of the plants or trees you choose. For instance, purchasing smaller plants like saplings in pots can be much more affordable than purchasing larger specimen trees with a 5” caliper trunk that are already 15-20 feet tall. Similarly, certain shrubs that grow slowly and require less maintenance may be more expensive than larger specimens due to their desirable features.
In general, the cost of landscaping materials like plants and trees can range from as low as $20 for a box of bulbs to over $1,000 for a large specimen tree. Potted plants are often priced based on pot size, with 3-gallon pots being a standard trade size that typically costs between $20-40 each. Ultimately, the cost of landscaping materials will depend on the specific plant or tree you choose, its size, and the maintenance level required.
How much does a Tree Cost?
The cost of a tree can vary depending on factors such as the type of tree, its size, and whether it is being installed as part of other landscaping. Generally, the price for a tree can range from around $125 for a smaller potted tree to $700-1,000 or more for a large specimen tree, which includes factors like labor, soil amendments, staking, and mulching. The cost also varies based on the caliper trunk size and height of the tree. It is important to note that additional expenses may be incurred for large trees that are balled & burlapped due to their weight and size. When purchasing trees, it is helpful to consider whether a warranty is included and to consult with a landscaper to verify all costs involved in the planting process.
What are some ways to Save on Commercial Landscaping Expenses?
Saving on commercial landscaping expenses can be crucial for businesses looking to maintain an attractive outdoor space without overspending. Here are several strategies to consider:
1. Select Cost-Effective Plants
Invest in affordable and aesthetically pleasing plants to reduce costs significantly. Affordable doesn’t necessarily mean less attractive, so search for options that offer both economic and visual benefits.
2. Utilize Native Plants
Incorporating native plants into your landscape not only cuts down on costs but also reduces maintenance needs. These plants typically require less water and care since they are adapted to the local environment.
3. Take Advantage of Seasonal Sales
Monitor landscaping service providers for seasonal promotions or discounts. Many companies offer reduced rates during specific times of the year, which can lead to considerable savings.
4. Efficient Landscape Design
Investing in an innovative and professional design at the outset can save money over time. Efficient design minimizes waste and focuses on sustainability, thereby reducing long-term costs.
5. Implement Energy-Saving Lighting
Choose lighting solutions, such as LED or solar-powered lights, that minimize energy use. Although the initial investment may be higher, the long-term energy bill savings will be beneficial.
6. Combine Maintenance Efforts
Look into grouping services or teaming up with nearby businesses to negotiate better rates on landscape maintenance. This collective bargaining can lead to discounts and more budget-friendly prices.
By adopting these strategies, businesses can effectively manage their landscaping expenses while still keeping their properties appealing and welcoming.
Landscaping Costs Per Hour
Per-hour landscaping prices can also vary based on the size of the job. The size of the job can often determine exactly how many landscapers you need. For smaller jobs, such as tree service or standard lawn care, you can usually expect to pay around $50 to $100 per hour. You could expect to pay more per-foot for larger landscaping projects, such as landscaping installations. Labor is among the top considerations when determining, planning, and budgeting for your landscaping projects, as labor is usually a certain percentage of your overall costs. Labor can cost $25-$50 per hour per crew member.
Standard lawn care, for example, usually requires only a couple of crew members to complete. Crew members typically complete this type of lawn care in around 30 minutes to 1 hour on average. Labor typically costs around 80% of total landscaping prices. As the number of required crew members increases, so will the cost of overall services. As another cost consideration, landscape designers may cost more, as they usually have more advanced expertise than regular landscapers. Landscaping designers can cost around $200 per hour for landscape planning and design, depending on your needs and desires for the area.
New Landscaping Installation Costs
When budgeting for landscaping your new home, it’s essential to consider the various factors that can influence the overall cost. The price range for landscaping a new house can vary significantly, typically falling between $3,000 to $15,000 based on the size of your yard or garden space. This cost estimation includes expenses for landscape planning, design, and potential initial updates, such as clearing and leveling the outdoor spaces before the landscaping project can commence.
While routine landscaping work may not necessitate a landscape designer, opting for unique decorations or additional landscaping elements from scratch could require their expertise, potentially impacting the overall cost. For new installations, it’s important to note that the project may involve four or more landscaping crew members and could take several weeks to complete, with an average price of $200 per hour.
Moreover, extensive landscaping projects may encompass various features such as professional designs, xeriscaping, pergolas, fire pits, gazebos, backyard walkways, shrubs in the front yard, retaining walls, water features, or patios. It’s crucial to recognize that landscaping is not just an upfront cost but also an investment with long-term returns to consider when planning your budget for enhancing your outdoor living spaces.
Landscaping Costs Per Area
Another aspect that can affect the price of your landscaping is the area. Costs can differ depending on whether the landscaping is in the front yard, backyard, or garden. Landscaping a front yard can cost between $4,000 and $6,000, but this landscaping has a huge impact on the curb appeal and value of the property. Costs may vary depending on factors such as the size of the home and the specific landscaping needs. For example, a basic, 1 story rancher with small foundation beds might fall towards the lower end of the cost range, around $4,000, while a larger home requiring more extensive landscaping could be closer to the higher end, around $6,000. It’s important to consider the scale of the landscaping project in relation to the size of the property to ensure a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing result.
Backyard landscaping can cost between $8,000 and $10,000 and is more for personal enjoyment. Garden landscaping can cost between $8,000 and $20,000, requiring more professional layouts and planning.
What Factors Influence Commercial Landscaping Companies Giving you a Fair Price?
Key Factors Influencing Commercial Landscaping Costs
Size of Property
The size of the area to be landscaped plays a critical role in determining the cost. Larger areas demand more resources in terms of labor and materials, which directly impacts the total cost of landscaping.
Complexity of Design
A simple design is less expensive to implement compared to a complex one with intricate details and structures. Complex designs require more time, higher skills, and more expensive materials, all adding to the cost.
Choice of Landscaping Company
Selecting the right company for your landscaping needs is vital. Established and reputable companies might charge more but generally provide higher quality work and better overall value. Opting for less experienced landscapers might reduce your initial costs but can lead to increased expenses due to potential future repairs and maintenance.
Geographic Location
Location affects costs due to variations in local wages, material costs, and the general cost of doing business. In more affluent areas or regions with higher living costs, landscaping services will likely be more expensive.
Additional Features
Incorporating special elements like decorative lights, water features, or custom outdoor seating areas will elevate the project’s cost. These features require extra materials and labor to install and maintain.
Plant Selection
The types of plants selected can also affect the cost significantly. Exotic or rare plants can be more expensive and might require special care that adds to the overall expenses.
Accessibility
The accessibility of your property can influence landscaping costs. A difficult-access property may require additional resources to transport materials and equipment, thereby increasing the project’s cost.
Legal Requirements
Complying with local regulations and acquiring necessary permits can add unexpected costs to a landscaping project. These legal necessities vary widely by location and must be considered when forecasting the budget.
Understanding these factors can help you get a clearer perspective on what contributes to the pricing of commercial landscaping services, allowing you to budget effectively and make informed choices.
Getting a Fair Price From Your Landscaping Company
Various landscaping aspects can influence its cost. When you want to know how to tell if your landscaping company is giving you a fair price, consider the extent of the work, compare prices, and be aware of some of the national averages for different landscaping. For more clarity on landscaping prices, and the landscaping available in the Chicago area to add beauty and value to your outdoor spaces, connect with Apex Landscaping for a consultation today.