Find a stone flooring service near you

The cost of landscaping can vary widely based on the type of plants you wish to have, the amount of grading required, the condition of the land before work begins, and other factors. Adding in designer or high-end landscaping, as well as hardscaping such as sidewalks, walls, or patios will add to the cost. To find out how much your landscaping will cost, contact landscapers near you.

A landscaper is worth it if you don't want to invest a significant amount of time and effort into planting, trimming, raking, weeding and performing other operations on your garden or yard. Hiring a landscaper to perform regular maintenance in your yards and complete bigger projects is valuable if you’re looking to sell your house. A professional landscaper can make your house more appealing to potential buyers. 

Some landscapers may perform maintenance duties — remove leaves, mow lawns, trim trees and shrubs, etc. —  but they can also help you bring bigger projects to life. This may include adding a misting system, an outdoor fireplace, water features, artificial turf, a patio and much more.

Start contacting landscapers near you to get free estimates and start planning your project today.

The price of landscaping varies widely due to the range of choices that can be made, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $320 and $20,000 for your landscaping work. The national average cost for a landscaping project is $2,600. 

Factors like the choice of plants, the amount and type of hardscaping, the square footage of your landscaped area, and the region you live in will have a significant effect on your landscaping cost.

You can shop for landscaping rocks from a variety of different sources. The first option is large chain retail stores specializing in home improvement and gardening. Often, landscaping rocks like slate and other slabs arrive on pallets and are sold in bulk, giving you a great deal. Your local landscaping store also carries rocks, and you may even have a stone or quarry seller nearby who can sell you the rocks you need. When in doubt, contact landscaping companies near you to see if they have rocks you can purchase.

Landscaping is the intentional placement and maintenance of living plants on an area of land or in your yard. This can include trees, lawn, flowers, bushes and other plant life and often incorporates mulch and other organic matter. The primary purpose of landscaping is to provide beauty to the house or building it surrounds. 

Many landscaping companies also offer design, architecture and construction services. For example, they can help you design a yard that incorporates a patio, deck, pool, fire pit, lighting, walkways, retaining walls and more.

Landscaping your property can boost the value of your home between 5% and 15%, according to Better Homes & Gardens. They specify that this is the amount of value added when you upgrade the condition of your landscaping from poor to good, though these terms are subjective. 

Landscaping design refers to the art of analyzing an existing landscape, planning how to transform it through flora and fauna design and working with a client to ensure goals are met. Landscape designers may completely transform an outdoor space or make minor modifications to enhance it. They may also call for grading and the construction of hardscaping surfaces like walkways or patios to add to the enjoyment of the space.

If you’re ready to install new floors in your home -- or replace old flooring -- you’re probably wondering where to start. After all, there are many options to choose from: hardwood, vinyl, tile, laminate, linoleum and the list goes on. If you’re stuck on which type of flooring you should choose, start with learning the pros and cons of several popular options.

Engineered vs. Solid Wood Flooring:

Typically, engineered wood flooring is better than hardwood when it comes to humidity -- it’s less likely to expand. It’s also easier to install engineered wood, and it can be more moisture-resistant when compared to solid wood. Solid wood, on the other hand, can be more durable. Plus, you can refinish and sand it multiple times. If you have engineered wood, you’ll only be able to sand it maybe once or twice.

Hardwood vs. Laminate Wood Flooring:

Solid hardwood flooring is an authentic product — full-thickness, high-grade wood with all of its textures and imperfections. Wood floors add considerably more value to your home, with a 70% to 80% return on investment, according to Realtor.com. Unlike laminate floors, they can be repaired by sanding and refinishing. 

Laminate wood flooring is much more affordable than hardwood, as it is made from composite wood, an image of hardwood’s texture and a clear protective layer. It's resistant to both sunlight and moisture. While it’s harder to repair, hardwood laminate better resists scratches. 

Laminate vs. Vinyl Plank Flooring:

Laminate and vinyl floors are both synthetic products that imitate high-quality flooring materials like wood, stone and tile. Vinyl floors are made entirely from PVC plastic and may come as planks, tiles or sheets. They are inexpensive and waterproof. Vinyl plank flooring is a great choice for moist areas like bathrooms, kitchens and entryways, while laminate flooring is a good choice for living rooms, bedrooms and other non-wet areas. Vinyl flooring is also a bit easier to clean and maintain.

Laminate consists of a fiberboard core, a printed image layer and a clear protective film on top. Laminate floors are susceptible to damage if there is excess moisture. However, laminate flooring is superior to vinyl flooring in terms of its aesthetic quality, so you’ll have an easier time making your floor look like real stone, wood or ceramic. Laminate flooring is also more environmentally friendly than vinyl. 

If you need more help choosing flooring for your home, reach out to the top flooring companies near you.

When installing flooring in your home, keep in mind that some materials are better suited for certain rooms while others are not. Use this guide to help you make the best decision for your home.

Best Flooring for Basements

Basement flooring should be highly resistant to moisture, as many basements are below grade. Choosing the best flooring for basement spaces depends on what they’ll be used for. For example: 

• An epoxy basement floor is a durable finish for concrete.
• Vinyl basement flooring is generally waterproof or water-resistant. 
• Laminate floors can be an affordable option, but they’re often not 100% waterproof.
• Ceramic tile floors are also water-resistant. 

If your basement isn’t moist, carpet tiles are also an option — just make sure to use a moisture barrier.

Best Flooring for Kitchens

Kitchen flooring does more work than almost any floor in the house, so you’ll want to choose a durable floor. The following are among the best flooring types for kitchens:

• Porcelain tiles can be fashionable, moisture-resistant, and cost less than stone or wood to install.
• Vinyl flooring can withstand dents, is generally inexpensive and it’s easy to install.
• Linoleum flooring can be durable, easy to maintain and affordable. 
• Wood flooring could be damaged by dropped pots and pans, furniture and pets. However, hardwood and engineered wood floors in kitchen spaces are still popular among homeowners.

Best Flooring for Bathrooms

Bathroom flooring must withstand high moisture levels while also being comfortable on bare feet. Here are some of the best flooring options for bathrooms: 

• Porcelain tiles are generally comfortable, waterproof, stylish and less costly than stone or wood. 
• Vinyl flooring is waterproof, cost-effective and can imitate wood convincingly.
• Natural stone can be expensive, but it’s typically hard and durable.

Reach out to a flooring installation and repair professional near you to see which type you should install in your home.

Start by reading reviews of flooring companies and contractors in your area. Customer reviews tend to offer useful feedback. But, be wary of reviews that lack details or specific feedback. Next, look at photos of past projects and observe the quality of craftsmanship, including the quality of wood, consistency of the finish, and gaps or cracks. Compare prices and get multiple quotes for the same job if possible. Finally, ask your contractor or the company if they have the proper licenses and certifications.

For more tips on how to choose the best flooring installation service, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring Guide.