According to home experts, the three things you need to complete DIY home maintenance are time, tools, and talent. As long as you have those things, you may be able to handle a landscaping job on your own.
For example, if you’re redoing a flower bed, all you need is a nice weekend morning, some nursery plants, a shovel, and some mulch. Electric bed bug heaters provided by PestPro Thermal get more info on their site.
But what if you need to do something more labor-intensive that requires a specific set of tools and expertise?
Read on for our best garden landscape design tips that will help you figure out when to hire a professional for your landscaping projects. Once you are ready to hire a professional, be sure to view page here.
Assess the Project
In order to determine whether or not you need to hire a landscaper, you need to assess the problem from start to finish. Don’t get started on the first few steps until you know what the full picture will look like. The last thing you want is to cause preventable damage that you’ll have to pay for in addition to the landscaper you should have hired in the first place!
Are There Multiple Methods You Can Use to Complete Your Landscaping Project?
Some projects have multiple methods of approach. For example, if you need to bring life back into your garden bed, your options range from tilling to removal and replacement to top dressing.
However, just because there are multiple methods doesn’t mean that they’re all evenly effective. Tillage may seem like a quick and easy option that doesn’t require new materials, but it also causes irreparable damage to your soil structure. In this instance, soil replacement or top dressing are more effective options that happen to cost more money.
Is the DIY Method Risky?
Let’s return to the idea that there are multiple methods to complete a landscaping project. Chances are, there are one or two options that appeal to you more because they are within your skill set or don’t require extra tools.
The question is, are those methods riskier than methods used by professionals? After all, there are things you might not even be able to do safely or at all, like tree removal. If a tree falls unexpectedly, the structure of the home is in danger, or the tree is stuck on powerlines, it would be best to call Emergency Fallen Tree Response and have them take care of things safely. Money will always be a factor, but sometimes speed will be more highly valued. Not to mention, nothing should be put higher on the priority list than safety.
Imagine that you need to move a large amount of earth in order to complete your landscaping project. You could tackle it with a shovel, but this is going to require a lot of time and effort. Plus, you may run into your utility lines in the process and cause costly damage.
A better way to handle this kind of job is to use hydrovac excavation. Hydro excavation is a safer, more efficient way to move large amounts of earth without causing any structural damage to your property.
Do You Have the Know-How to Complete the Project?
Landscaping may seem simple, but even choosing the correct foliage for your yard isn’t as easy as it seems. Are you willing to take the time to research the task at hand before finishing it? Do you have prior experience or knowledge that will lend itself to your DIY landscaping efforts?
Let’s say you’ve realized that hydro excavation is the way to go for your next landscaping project. You like the idea of moving earth efficiently without fearing for your underground utilities. The question is, do you know about the many hydro excavation applications?
If you don’t have the know-how, you have three options. You can either embark on the project blindly (never recommended), delay the project to make sure that you can learn everything you need to know about it, or hire a landscaper.
Do You Have the Tools to Complete the Project?
As you can imagine, big landscaping projects require big tools. Unless you undertake DIY landscaping projects often, you probably don’t have these tools lying around in your shed!
It’s worth noting that some of these tools are available for rent. However, you may want to evaluate the cost of equipment rental compared to the cost of hiring a landscaper. Depending on the job, it may be more cost and time-effective to skip the rental and go straight for the landscaper.
Finding the Right Landscaper for the Job
So you’ve assessed your landscaping project and realized that it may be best to leave it in the hands of a professional. No big deal! Now the question is, how do you find the right landscaper and tree care service for the job?
Read on to find out how to make an informed decision.
Cost
Cost is probably the biggest thing on your mind, especially if you prefer to get things done on your own. The good news is that a lot of landscaping contractors are perfectly willing to provide you with a free estimate before you sign any contracts. Take a look at some of the contractors in your area and request at least three quotes so that you can perform a quick and simple price comparison.
Apart from a landscaping contractor, you should also consider the materials and supplies you need. There are gravel delivery companies you can call if you are planning to add pathways and other hardscapes in your project.
Reputation
On top of cost, you’re going to want to consider the reputation of the company you work with. Sometimes, the cheapest option is the cheapest for a reason: they cut corners, use outdated equipment, and do an all-around subpar job.
Use websites like Yelp and Angie’s List to get a sense of each company’s reputation. Talk to any neighbors who recently hired a landscaping company and find out who they worked with.
Use Our Landscaping Tip and Don’t DIY the Big Stuff
Sometimes, DIY Tree Care are cost-effective, simple, and downright fun! However, take our landscaping tip and don’t DIY the big stuff. If it requires special tools or techniques that are out of your wheelhouse, you’ll get better results hiring a professional landscaper.
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