Landscapers near you

In general, landscapers design and care for outdoor spaces, including mowing, weeding, planting, pruning and installing products like patios and decks. Depending on your project, you’ll want to hire the right landscaping professional.

Let’s take a look at the differences between contractors, engineers, gardeners and architects:

• Landscape contractors typically install and maintain landscaping projects that plants among other elements. 

• Landscape architects often conceptualize, design and plan your outdoor space. They tend to work on large, public projects but can also be hired by homeowners. 

• Landscape engineers mostly focus on site analysis, such as drainage, soil type and other environmental factors. 

• Gardeners grow and care for outdoor plants. Homeowners with large garden spaces or flower beds may choose this professional to keep their plants happy and healthy. 

Some professionals may use the terms above interchangeably. It’s important to research each pro you're interested in and ask them questions to understand what skills and services they offer.  

Most landscapers will typically offer the following services: 

• Lawn care services such as mowing, edging, weed control, fertilization, aeration, dethatching and sod installation.

• Hardscaping services, including adding retaining walls, patios and walkways, water features, outdoor lighting, etc.

• Garden design and maintenance, including selecting and adding plants, tending flower beds, mulching and designing landscape spaces.

• Shrub and tree care, such as planting, pruning and trimming shrubs and tree branches.

It’s important to note that you should always verify which services your landscaper offers before you hire them. If you require any of these common landscaping services, double check that your landscaper can do them for you: 

• Tree removal and stump grinding

• Drainage solutions (like a French drain)

• Sprinkler and irrigation installation or repair

• Artificial turf installation 

• Outdoor pest control application 

• Fence installation or repair

• Deck building or repairs

The national average cost of landscaping projects ranges from around $850 to $3,432, according to Thumbtack data.

Several factors can impact how much you'll pay, including:

• Project scope: Smaller projects (planting flowers, trimming shrubs, etc.) often cost a lot less than larger ones (replacing soil, installing hardscape elements, etc), etc. The bigger the project, the more labor will be required — which can drive up costs.

• Hardscaping materials: When adding a retaining wall, patio, curbing, and other hardscape elements, ensure you understand the cost of each material. For example, natural stone tends to cost more than concrete or gravel when installing a patio or landscape curbing.

• Softscape elements: Consider opting for budget-friendly plants that are native to your environment. Native plants tend to require less maintenance than non-native plants because they won't require extra resources.

• Yard and terrain condition: If your existing yard has slopes or obstructions that make it difficult to achieve your vision, you might need to pay more for extra services like leveling or grading.

• Permits: Depending on which features you choose for your yard, you might need to get a permit and pay additional fees. Oftentimes, a local pro can help you navigate this process so that you're not left with any surprises.

Get quotes from multiple landscaping pros to find out how much your landscaping project will cost.

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

During landscaping consultations, the first thing you can expect is to talk through your goals and vision with the landscaper. They can assess the area, learn more about what you want to do and provide feedback on anything that might be less attainable or what could use adjustments. 

It's also important to be upfront about your budget during your consultation. This can help them appropriately plan the project so it won’t go over a certain cost.

If you want to take it a step further, consider providing a rough drawing of what you'd like or a list of specific details like plants, hardscape materials or other desired features. This can help your landscaper more accurately plan a space you'll love.

Some of the biggest benefits of hiring a landscaper include the following:

• Convenience: Hiring a professional can make creating a beautiful outdoor space much easier. Not only will they have the expertise to do the job right, they’ll also know how to complete the project efficiently.

• Skill and expertise: Landscapers have skills and expertise that most homeowners simply do not. They can suggest the right plants and hardscape products and draw on years of experience in placement and aesthetics.

• Ease of maintenance: Homeowners who hire landscapers often do so because it means they don't have to worry about maintaining their lawn and outdoor space. A professional can handle it for them.

• Design and installation: Hiring a pro to design and install outdoor features can require a creative and unique approach to landscaping. Homeowners who want a custom design and quality products generally feel a landscaper is worth the price.

First, you should always have clear goals that are properly communicated with your landscaper. This can help you create a beautiful, functional space and save the landscaper time revising their plans or redoing aspects of the project. 

If you hire a landscaping professional, be as specific as possible. Instead of asking for a "nice garden space," let them know what kinds of plants you want and how you plan to use the space. Being clear, focused and direct can help you get the look you want and many years of enjoyment. 

Finally, be honest with yourself. Before you get started, consider your budget, usage and the ongoing maintenance so the project runs smoothly and you get the best results.