Working With Pros
Landscape Design
10 Times to Hire a Landscape Contractor
These skilled managers tackle outdoor projects large and small to help you get a yard you’ll love
Wondering if it’s time to hire a landscape contractor? These pros are experts at managing all aspects of an outdoor project, including hiring subcontractors and overseeing work, keeping the work site safe and applying for building permits. If you have plans from a landscape architect or designer and are ready to bring them to life in your garden, or if you need help executing your own vision for your outdoor space, a landscape contractor could be the right pro for your project. Here are 10 times it makes sense to work with a landscape contractor to help your outdoor spaces flourish.
(If you want to learn about other home pros, go to the bottom of this story for links to earlier stories in our “10 Times to Hire” series.)
(If you want to learn about other home pros, go to the bottom of this story for links to earlier stories in our “10 Times to Hire” series.)
Debora Carl Landscape Design
2. You Want a Built-In Fire Feature
Since this is a project that may involve gas lines (if it’s a gas fireplace), permitting, masonry and more, it’s wise to get a landscape contractor on board. The landscape contractor can get any needed permits, manage subcontractors and make sure the work complies with building codes.
2. You Want a Built-In Fire Feature
Since this is a project that may involve gas lines (if it’s a gas fireplace), permitting, masonry and more, it’s wise to get a landscape contractor on board. The landscape contractor can get any needed permits, manage subcontractors and make sure the work complies with building codes.
B. Jane Gardens
3. You Need Help Setting Up Your Backyard Farm
Dreaming of a chicken coop, compost bin, fenced vegetable garden or greenhouse? A landscape contractor can help build and install these elements and more, so you can realize your vision and get growing. If you already have thoroughly sketched out plans of your own, you probably can contact a landscape contractor directly for this type of work. If you want to create a more comprehensive plan, engage a landscape designer first.
3. You Need Help Setting Up Your Backyard Farm
Dreaming of a chicken coop, compost bin, fenced vegetable garden or greenhouse? A landscape contractor can help build and install these elements and more, so you can realize your vision and get growing. If you already have thoroughly sketched out plans of your own, you probably can contact a landscape contractor directly for this type of work. If you want to create a more comprehensive plan, engage a landscape designer first.
Landsburg Landscape Nursery
4. You Want to Upgrade Hardscaping
Whether you’re looking to add or upgrade paths, a patio, rock walls or built-in features like fountains and benches, a landscape contractor can oversee the entire project from start to finish and make sure work is done on schedule and to your specifications.
4. You Want to Upgrade Hardscaping
Whether you’re looking to add or upgrade paths, a patio, rock walls or built-in features like fountains and benches, a landscape contractor can oversee the entire project from start to finish and make sure work is done on schedule and to your specifications.
5. You Started to DIY but Ran Out of Steam
It’s easy to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to DIY home projects — especially when it comes to the backyard. Whether you started to install pavers, build a play structure, craft a rock wall or just have a bunch of half-finished projects, a landscape contractor can assess where you are and help get the work completed by professionals.
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It’s easy to bite off more than you can chew when it comes to DIY home projects — especially when it comes to the backyard. Whether you started to install pavers, build a play structure, craft a rock wall or just have a bunch of half-finished projects, a landscape contractor can assess where you are and help get the work completed by professionals.
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Fernhill Landscapes
6. You Want a Garden Structure
Structures like pergolas, arbors and trellises add beauty and an architectural element to the garden. If you already have a good idea of what you want, a landscape contractor can work with you to make it happen. If you’re not sure, you can opt to hire a landscape contractor who also does design work.
6. You Want a Garden Structure
Structures like pergolas, arbors and trellises add beauty and an architectural element to the garden. If you already have a good idea of what you want, a landscape contractor can work with you to make it happen. If you’re not sure, you can opt to hire a landscape contractor who also does design work.
Randy Angell Designs
7. You Want a Swimming Pool
A landscape contractor who specializes in swimming pools will be well-versed in the technical details, legalities and design considerations involved in installing a pool. If your pool is to be part of a larger plan for the backyard, you may want to hire a landscape architect or designer first to create a comprehensive plan.
7. You Want a Swimming Pool
A landscape contractor who specializes in swimming pools will be well-versed in the technical details, legalities and design considerations involved in installing a pool. If your pool is to be part of a larger plan for the backyard, you may want to hire a landscape architect or designer first to create a comprehensive plan.
8. You Want to Remove a Swimming Pool
Before: While some dream of adding a pool, others dream of undoing one. The fact is, unless you are an avid swimmer, having a swimming pool is not necessarily worth the space it takes up or the expense of upkeep. If that sounds like your predicament, you may want to hire a landscape contractor to take out your pool instead.
Before: While some dream of adding a pool, others dream of undoing one. The fact is, unless you are an avid swimmer, having a swimming pool is not necessarily worth the space it takes up or the expense of upkeep. If that sounds like your predicament, you may want to hire a landscape contractor to take out your pool instead.
After: David J. Frank Landscape Contracting filled in the unwanted swimming pool and, in its place, created a spacious patio and outdoor relaxation zone that the homeowners will use a lot more.
9. You Need to Work With a Hilly Lot
Whether you want to have a section cleared and graded for a patio, create terraced planting beds or steps in a hillside, or some combination thereof, a landscape contractor is the pro you need to get the work completed. This space from landscape contractors West Winds Nursery has a wide, curving sandstone slab staircase that leads to a waterside flagstone terrace.
Whether you want to have a section cleared and graded for a patio, create terraced planting beds or steps in a hillside, or some combination thereof, a landscape contractor is the pro you need to get the work completed. This space from landscape contractors West Winds Nursery has a wide, curving sandstone slab staircase that leads to a waterside flagstone terrace.
Landsburg Landscape Nursery
10. You Just Moved Into a New Home
If you’ve just moved into a newly built home, you may be facing a bare-bones landscape. If you have a solid idea of what you want, a landscape contractor can help you with plantings and installation of other features. If you’re looking for more comprehensive design help, contact a landscape architect or designer first, or look for a landscape contractor that also offers these services.
Your turn: Have you worked with a great landscape contractor? Share what made the experience work well for you in the Comments.
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10. You Just Moved Into a New Home
If you’ve just moved into a newly built home, you may be facing a bare-bones landscape. If you have a solid idea of what you want, a landscape contractor can help you with plantings and installation of other features. If you’re looking for more comprehensive design help, contact a landscape architect or designer first, or look for a landscape contractor that also offers these services.
Your turn: Have you worked with a great landscape contractor? Share what made the experience work well for you in the Comments.
More 10 Times to Hire
Architect | Builder | Closet Designer | Color Consultant | Contractor | Design-Build Firm | Interior Designer | Kitchen Designer | Landscape Architect | Landscape Contractor | Professional Organizer
More on Houzz
How to Find and Hire a Great Landscape Contractor
Get landscape design ideas
Find a landscape contractor
Browse outdoor products
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1. You Have a Site Plan From a Landscape Architect
A landscaping contractor executes garden and hardscaping plans that have been drawn up by a landscape architect or designer. Once you have the design in hand (known as the “site plan”), you can hire a landscape contractor to complete the work and make your garden dream come true.