How to Find the Best Landscaping Company for Your Home

If your regular lawn care service isn't floating your boat the way you would like it to, there could be a disconnect between you and the landscaper you've hired in the past.

9 times out of 10, the real issue lies in the capabilities of the business and the quality of the services offered.

Sometimes it's a lack of proper credentials or the tools and experience needed to meet your exacting standards.

So, how do you find the best landscaping company for your property?

Read on to hear more from our experts, who explain what you should expect, how to sort through the many landscaping companies in our area, and what you need to know before making any hiring decisions.

Identifying Your Lawn and Landscape Goals

The first step on your path toward an ideal outdoor setting is to begin to identify your landscape goals.

If your previous services just weren't cutting it, are there specific things they weren't doing that you'd like to see your new service providers take on?

Perhaps you've just decided to add a new feature to your front or backyard. Will this be easy to do on your own, or will you need the engineering expertise of qualified landscapers to ensure drainage, soil composition, and elevation considerations are properly accounted for?

Is your goal a sea of astounding emerald-colored grass? Maybe you're more interested in an edged garden that contains your favorite blossoms.

Whatever your desires, it's essential to give them some serious consideration to ensure your goals are well defined and easy to communicate to whomever you choose to work with.

We suggest making a list so it's easier to keep track of the landscaping ideas that are important to you and any questions you may have surrounding cost, logistics, installation, and more.

Once you're reasonably sure which direction you'd like to take, you're ready to begin working with a qualified landscaping contractor. Still, there are some critical questions you must ask yourself to help make selecting the right landscaping business easier.

Will You Need a Landscape Design Company?

Are you interested in adding features like custom retaining walls, a new or renovated patio, or a stone pathway?

Perhaps you have your heart set on an uninterrupted, lush, green oasis of grass that is perfectly trimmed to a height that compliments your home's style.

Maybe you've envisioned a regal garden with edging that keeps this masterpiece contained and holds in the mulch to protect your plants from unfavorable weather.

Wherever your inspiration lies, it's crucial to invest in forward-thinking design.

By carefully considering each element you'd like to see added to your yard, a landscape designer can ensure you won't run into trouble with issues like pooling water, flooding, erosion, dead plantings, grass, and so much more.

We recommend asking the following questions to help make choosing a landscape design company for your next project easier:

Which areas of landscape design does your company specialize in?
Do you have a gallery of finished landscape design projects for clients to browse through?
Are you licensed and insured to complete the requested landscape design work?
Which types of installations will best suit the conditions on my property?
Are you qualified and equipped to remedy issues with drainage, erosion, soil quality, weeds, and more?
Do your areas of expertise cover the full scope of the job request?
What type of guarantees do you provide?

Understanding the Differences Between Hardscape and Softscape

In landscaping, a hardscaped feature refers to features that have been engineered and man-made.

Some examples of hardscaping include:

Retaining walls
Garden paths
Walkways
Water features
Firepits
Landscape lighting features
And many more custom features

In contrast, softscaping generally occurs after hardscape work is complete and encompasses all the movable features that are considered temporary features, including:

Soil
Plants
Flowers
Shrubs
Trees
Decorations
And more

Suppose you'd like to see a combination of both hardscaping and softscaping incorporated into your new yard design. In that case, it is best to seek a landscaping and lawncare expert with a solid background in both.

However, if you just need someone to keep your grass trimmed, it would be in your best interest to go with a specialist in quality lawn care.

Is Custom Landscaping Worth It?

Depending on your preferences and the condition in which the land in question begins, there can be many benefits to choosing custom landscaping as part of your home's outdoor design initiative.

Regular landscaping services will probably do the trick if your lawn is already pretty close to your vision for the perfect space.

With that said, if you're looking to transform an outdoor space while infusing the most value, there's no better way to pull this off than having your landscaping services customized to your specifications.

The best way to determine if customization is the right fit is to sit down with a qualified professional to discuss your goals at length.

A reputable landscaping professional will always make the time to answer your questions and generally offer an initial consultation without any risks or obligations.

How Can Lawn-Maintenance Service Make Your Property Pop?

If you're satisfied with your land's layout and want to know how to keep your grass presentable throughout the year, we recommend investing in regular lawn maintenance services.

Some of the most popular lawn maintenance options for our region include:

Lawn mowing
Irrigation advice
Aeration
Fertilization
Dethatching
Reseeding
Sodding
Weed removal and prevention solutions
Pest prevention

If finding time to cut the grass and have your lawn mower serviced isn't your cup of tea, or you simply don't have time to take care of additional responsibilities on top of your busy schedule, hiring a professional is the solution you need.

A healthy and well-maintained-looking lawn is often only one quick phone call away when you find a reliable lawn maintenance expert who understands your goals.

The best way to go about finding the right company for the job is to ask your neighbors with enviable lawns which landscaping technicians they're working with.

After all, you can see that the quality of their work speaks for itself.

Conclusion: Choose Landscaping Services Tailored to Your Needs

To sum up, it's wise to choose a landscaping service that offers a degree of personalization that suits the project you have in mind.

At SML Services, our experts ensure our landscaping services are tailored to your individual needs, goals, budget, and expected turnaround time.

We're only one phone call away if you'd like to discuss your upcoming landscaping project with seasoned professionals.

Reach us at (202) 425-1872 to begin with a risk-free consultation and estimate.

Did this article make it easier for you to sort through the many local landscaping companies to find one that meets all your expectations? Leave us a few lines about your experience in the comments below!