Best 5 Landscaping Companies in Manhattan, NY

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

Many homeowners have basic lawn maintenance knowledge, but landscaping requires more advanced skills. Full-scale landscaping projects require heavy equipment and intense labor. Adding more complex elements, such as an irrigation system or fire pit, requires construction and machinery expertise.

You can DIY some landscaping projects, such as adding flower beds or removing overgrown plants. However, if you lack the needed lawn expertise or if you want to do a total yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a landscaping contractor.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skill set to elevate your outdoor space and the knowledge 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 enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents you from making costly mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an Manhattan Landscaping Company

Experience and reputation are important considerations when hiring a landscaping company, but it's also important that your provider offers the services you need at a reasonable price. Consider the following factors when shopping for landscaping contractors.

Services Offered

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

You'll need 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. These companies specialize in outdoor designs and upgrades, including adding hardscapes, landscaping rock projects, and gardening. They can also help install retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, fire pits, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Your landscaper should have the appropriate licenses from the Manhattan city government. Most contractors also have advanced training and certification in areas such as lawn maintenance, outdoor design, and horticulture. Your provider might 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 have certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. These certifications are not mandatory, but a way to show a contractor's commitment to their profession. Landscapers normally have liability insurance to protect against bodily injury or property damage. Your provider should be fully bonded and insured. Request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

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

Work Portfolio

Many landscaping and maintenance companies proudly share photos of previous projects with prospective customers. Ask to see a portfolio of landscaping projects and designs, ideally ones that are similar to your own ideas. Often, companies have before and after photos to illustrate the quality of their work.

Sustainability Practices

Ask your landscaper about their sustainability practices, including water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Your provider should be able to explain its own sustainability practices and provide recommendations for sustainable maintenance, including how to reduce cost, waste, and water consumption. When planting vegetation, your landscaper should select plants native to your area, such as blue vervain, rough-stemmed goldenrod, and cardinal flower. Any work completed shouldn't have an impact on your existing vegetation.

Cost

You should request quotes from multiple companies to learn about pricing and services. Most companies provide free consultations to review your outdoor space, make recommendations, and go over project plans. You’ll receive a detailed quote of expected project costs, including labor and materials. You may wish to use competing quotes to negotiate a better price.

Landscaping Costs in Manhattan

Landscaping in Manhattan generally costs between $34 and $51 per hour. These figures depend on factors such as project size and type. Bigger projects, such as resodding, will be more expensive than simple lawn tasks like mowing or gardening. Larger projects necessitate more labor, which will increase the final cost. Depending on your yard's size, the company might charge by the acre. The price will also be influenced by the materials you choose. Here's the average cost of common landscaping projects:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$14,636 - $19,515
Landscaping Design	$2,591 - $3,455
Landscaping LandGrading	$454 - $2,721
Landscaping Mulch	$27 - $136
Planting FlowerBeds	$91 - $1,814
Planting Trees	$238 - $396
Sodding	$45 - $54
Swimming Pool	$34,469 - $90,708