When you think about transforming your outdoor space, hardscaping gives your yard structure and lasting appeal. Hardscaping encompasses all solid, artificial features, including patios, decks, walkways, fire pits, fountains, and driveways crafted from stone, brick, wood, pavers, or gravel. Unlike “landscaping” in the traditional sense, which focuses on living elements like trees, shrubs, and flower beds, hardscaping is all about the permanent fixtures that define your landscape’s layout and character.

Building your own patio or deck might sound like the perfect summer adventure if you’re a seasoned DIY enthusiast. And while we love a good hands-on project, it’s worth pausing to consider the unique challenges of hardscaping. Unlike planting a flower bed, these features are designed to last for years. 

Not only is specialized equipment required, but mistakes can be costly and difficult to rectify in the future. The last thing you want is to invest your time and money only to have your beautiful new patio settle unevenly after a season or two. That’s why hiring a skilled professional can make all the difference.

1. Know What Type of Service You Need

Every contractor has its unique offerings and areas of expertise. Some may excel in installation, while others specialize in design. It is essential to ask this question to determine whether a company aligns with your specific needs.

Below, we’ll address the two types of landscaping companies, the services they offer, and the type of contractors you’ll have to work with.

Two Primary Types of Landscaping Companies:

Maintenance companies typically focus on routine lawn care tasks such as mowing, edging, weed-eating, pruning, and leaf cleanup. Many also offer pest control services, including the application of pesticides to help prevent infestations. These businesses are often small operations, sometimes run by a single individual.

In contrast, full-service landscaping companies offer a much broader range of services. Along with regular maintenance, they handle landscape design, installation projects, and outdoor construction – including patios, decks, and water features. These companies typically have larger teams with various roles that enable them to manage complex and large-scale projects effectively. If your needs extend beyond basic upkeep to include design or installation, a full-service landscaping company is the better choice.

Difference Between Landscaping and Hardscaping

Another thing to remember is that there is a difference between landscaping and hardscaping. Landscaping, also known as softscaping, involves living components such as grass, trees, shrubs, flowers, and garden beds, focusing on creating natural, visually appealing spaces that require regular maintenance like watering, pruning, and fertilizing. It offers environmental benefits and is more affordable, making it suitable for DIY projects.

On the other hand, Hardscaping refers to using non-living materials, such as stone, concrete, brick, wood, and pavers, to create functional features like patios, walkways, decks, retaining walls, and outdoor kitchens. Hardscaping is generally more permanent and durable, requiring less ongoing maintenance, but often involves higher upfront costs and professional installation. 

While landscaping enhances a yard’s natural beauty and environmental quality, hardscaping provides structure and usability, making both essential for a balanced, attractive, and functional outdoor space.

What Services Do Landscapers Offer?

Now that you know the difference between landscaping and hardscaping, here’s a non-exhaustive list of landscaping services you’ll have to choose from.

1. Landscape Design
2. Lawn Care Services (mowing, edging, aerating, etc)
3. Planting
4. Mulching and Gravel Installation
5. Pruning and Trimming 
6. Grading and lawn seeding/installation
7. Sod Installation
8. Artificial turf installation

What Are the Primary Types of Landscapers?

Landscape contractors are responsible for the physical implementation of landscape projects, handling tasks such as removing old plants, preparing and planting new beds, installing irrigation systems, and constructing hardscape features. Some contractors offer full-service packages that include routine lawn care and more extensive landscaping work, and may even provide design or architectural services.

These companies are sometimes required to be licensed by the state or municipality, and their crew members may hold professional certifications or licenses for specialized services, such as tree care or pesticide application. Proof of liability insurance and bonding is essential; reputable contractors often belong to professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals or local trade associations.

Landscape designers focus on planning and designing outdoor spaces, creating detailed drawings and layouts for gardens and outdoor living areas. They often collaborate with contractors for the installation phase or may have their crews do the work. Designers possess strong plant knowledge and understand how to select species that thrive in specific environments. While they prepare design plans, larger or more complex projects may require approval from a licensed landscape architect, especially when local regulations demand it.

Landscape architects with specialized degrees and state licenses are qualified to design and oversee projects involving significant grading, structural elements, or regulatory compliance. They may lead their own full-service companies or work alongside contractors to ensure the design vision and technical standards are met throughout the project.

2. Know Your Budget

Determine your budget for landscaping projects.  Be clear about how much you will spend on the entire project and discuss this with the potential landscapers.  Clearly define the scope of the landscaping project. Whether it’s a complete overhaul, regular maintenance, or specific enhancements, ensure that you and the landscaper understand the expectations.

3. Research Offline and Online for Landscapers

Word of mouth is an excellent way to find a good landscaping company near Warwick, NY. Talk to neighbors who recently had landscaping work done in your neighborhood and have excellent results. Ask them about their experience and if they’d recommend the company they used.

Next, do some Googling. Search the web and browse reviews. After asking around and doing some research, narrow down your search and prepare to ask your potential landscapers some essential questions. However, before we proceed, let’s consider some key questions to ask yourself before hiring or speaking with a potential landscaper. These questions will help your conversation go smoothly.

Look for Landscaping Companies with Specialities

Every contracting company has its specialties. The problem is that most contractors offer a wide range of services. This only makes sense. But what makes sense is to get a company that specializes in precisely what you need.

You can check the website and socials to see which contracts they have done more of. Pay attention to the verbiage, images, and video. Typically, they will have more content related to their area of expertise than other services. With that being said, once you’ve collected a list of different companies in the area, rule out any companies that don’t specialize in the type of services you want. Many companies will claim to do it all. Ignore this. Every company has its specializations. Experience in a specific service can mean lousy landscaping results and exceptional design.

 

4. Interview Multiple Landscape Contractors

Interviewing landscape contractors is essential in selecting the right professional for your outdoor project. Always speak with and interview multiple contractors before making your final decision. Ensure that you choose at least three landscaping contractors and conduct interviews with them via phone or email.

 

Ask them the following questions:

• How long have you been in business as a landscape contractor?
• Do you use subcontractors?
• Is your business fully insured and bonded? Ask for their contractor license number and certificate of insurance. Licensing requirements will differ from state to state.
• Can you provide me with references for customers who have had similar projects?
• Can I see pictures of finished projects that are similar to my project?
• Are you responsible for pulling the required permits for the project?
• Do you provide a warranty for your work and the plant material?
• How do you prefer payment?
• Please provide me with care instructions for all the plants installed on my property.
• What makes you different from your competitors?

Beyond technical skills, effective communication and reliability are key. Ask how they handle project changes, manage deadlines, and resolve conflicts with clients or team members. It’s also helpful to discuss their process for developing landscape plans, their familiarity with local plants and materials, and how they stay updated on industry best practices. By thoroughly interviewing candidates, you can better assess their qualifications, work style, and suitability for your landscaping needs.

 

5. Reading The Landscaping Contract

When reviewing a landscaping contract, it’s essential to address several key considerations. Be sure to clearly outline all project-specific details, such as the installation of irrigation systems or specific landscaping features you would like included.

Discuss the nature of the business relationship between you and the landscaping company to set expectations and promote effective collaboration throughout the project. Additionally, the contract should cover essential aspects, such as communication protocols, dispute resolution procedures, and confidentiality agreements, to ensure that any issues are managed professionally and discreetly.

The most critical component of a landscaping contract is the specific timeline for the project, including start and end dates, as well as any potential delays that may occur due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. It is also essential to clearly understand who will be responsible for any necessary permits or approvals from local government agencies. 

Below are some considerations.

Contract considerations

• Clarify what will happen if inclement weather delays the project- will the schedule be adjusted, and how will you be notified?
• Ask whether the landscaping company guarantees plants installed by their crew, and if the same guarantee applies to plants installed by the homeowner.
• Determine the process for selecting substitute plants if the specified varieties are unavailable at local nurseries.
• Establish who is responsible for covering the cost of any damages, such as broken pipes or damaged walkways, that may occur during the project.
• Ensure that large, mature trees are protected by fencing off a designated area around them, preventing off-loading, heavy equipment, or material storage that could compact their roots.
• Identify other areas that require protection, such as vegetable gardens, flower beds, or pet enclosures, where you do not want workers, equipment, or debris.
• Set any restrictions on work hours, including start and end times, to accommodate household needs such as night shifts or young children.
• Note any special requirements or approvals needed from historic districts or homeowner associations.