Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Charlotte, NC

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

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

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

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills and knowledge to elevate your outdoor space. They help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades and create long-term landscape maintenance plans. If they also offer lawn care services, contractors can help improve your yard health, and you'll avoid making costly mistakes doing it on your own.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Charlotte Landscaping Company

Selecting the right landscaper involves finding one with the right experience that also meets your service needs and budget. Keep the following considerations in mind when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

Different landscaping providers cater to different lawn needs. Some providers focus on services to help with the health and maintenance of your yard, such as pruning, mowing, mulching, fertilizing, and controlling weeds. These companies often also provide pest management and tree cutting services.

A full-service landscaping company is your best option if you want to revamp your whole yard or install architectural elements such as fire pits, retaining walls, and sprinkler or irrigation systems. These companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, such as landscaping rock projects, gardening, and adding hardscapes. Some might also provide lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas like horticulture, lawn maintenance, and outdoor design. Your provider should have the appropriate licenses from the North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board. It might also employ the following certified staff members:

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

It may also hold certifications from professional organizations, including the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are not mandatory but can lend credibility to a provider. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Most providers have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Request an insurance certificate or insurance numbers to confirm a company's coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Seek out companies with excellent reputations and positive customer experiences. Read about the company on third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau. Explore both negative and positive reviews for each company to gauge how it treats its customers. Be wary of companies with mostly negative reviews and frequent mentions of poor project results, delayed projects, or unreliable customer service.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies have before and after photos of previously completed projects to showcase their work to potential customers. Request your provider's portfolio. You can specifically ask for photos of projects similar to yours, to see how yours might look and even get some inspiration.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability is an important consideration both during and after landscaping work. Ask your landscaper about its best practices for water conservation, waste management, and eco-friendly material options; you might also ask for maintenance recommendations. Landscapers should use 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

Request quotes from multiple companies to learn about services and pricing. Most companies conduct free consultations to review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote outlining your project costs, including labor and materials. You may wish to use competing quotes to help negotiate a lower price.

Landscaping Costs in Charlotte

Landscaping in Charlotte generally costs between $26 and $39 per hour. These figures depend on things such as project type and size. 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 your yard's size, your provider might charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of different landscaping services:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,073 - $17,430
Landscaping Design	$1,989 - $2,652
Landscaping LandGrading	$418 - $2,507
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $125
Planting FlowerBeds	$84 - $1,671
Planting Trees	$219 - $365
Sodding	$42 - $50
Swimming Pool	$31,758 - $83,575