A professionally designed landscape is one of the best investments you can make in your home. It adds curb appeal, creates functional outdoor living space, increases property value, and gives you a place to relax and make memories for years to come.
But here’s the catch: even the most beautiful landscape design is only as good as the team installing it.
Choosing a landscape contractor for design and installation isn’t just about finding someone who can plant trees or build a patio. You’re trusting a company with a major investment in your home. So, choose a team with the experience, clear communication, and skilled craftsmanship to bring your vision to life.
Whether you’re dreaming of a backyard retreat, a new patio, colorful gardens, or a full landscape makeover, here’s what to look for before signing a contract.
Table of Contents
TL;DR: How do you choose the right landscape design and installation company?
Answer:
Start With a Vision
Before meeting with landscape companies, spend some time thinking about how you’d like your outdoor space to function. The clearer your goals, the easier it will be for a designer to create a landscape that fits your lifestyle.
Think about questions like:
- How do you want to use the space?
- Do you want an outdoor kitchen or entertaining area?
- Are low-maintenance gardens important?
- Do you need room for children or pets?
- Is water conservation a priority?
- What problems are you hoping to solve?
Don’t worry if you don’t have every detail figured out. A professional landscape designer can help refine your ideas and recommend solutions that fit your property and budget. Inspiration photos, magazine clippings, or a Pinterest board can also help communicate your style preferences.
Know What You Don't Want
Inspiration photos are a great way to show a designer what you like, but examples of what you don’t like can be just as useful.
Maybe you aren’t a fan of large expanses of decorative rock, formal gardens, high-maintenance plants, or patios with sharp angles. Sharing your preferences early helps your designer avoid ideas that don’t match your style. It also keeps everyone working toward the same vision.
Don’t be afraid to explain why you don’t like certain features, too. Whether it’s maintenance concerns, safety, cost, or simply personal taste, understanding your priorities helps create a landscape that feels like your own.
Research Beyond Reviews
Reading Google and Yelp online reviews is a great place to start, but they only tell part of the story. Spend time exploring each company’s website, design portfolio, and social media. Check the quality and consistency of their work.
Look for completed projects that resemble what you want to build. A company with experience designing outdoor living spaces may be a better fit for a complex backyard renovation than one that primarily installs lawns and shrubs.
Don’t stop at the photo and video galleries. Check to see if the company publishes blogs or project spotlights that explain how they solved unique challenges. Whether it’s working on steep slopes, managing drainage issues, preserving mature trees, or transforming difficult spaces, these stories help. They’ll give you insight into the company’s experience, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
It also helps to consider how long the company has served your community. Check if they’ve earned industry awards. Look for testimonials from homeowners with projects like yours.
Choose a Design-Build Company
Many homeowners don’t realize there are different approaches to landscaping.
Some companies only create landscape designs. Others only perform installation. A design-build company handles both under one roof. That means the designers, project managers, and installation crews work together from the start to the final walkthrough.
This collaborative approach often results in:
- Better communication
- Fewer surprises during construction
- More accurate pricing
- Faster problem solving
- A smoother overall experience
Having one team responsible for both the design and installation helps ensure your finished landscape stays true to the original vision while giving you a single point of contact throughout the project for clearer communication and a smoother overall experience.
Experience Matters, So Does Continuous Learning
A beautiful landscape combines creativity with technical expertise. Successful projects require knowledge of horticulture, irrigation, drainage, grading, construction techniques, engineering principles, and local growing conditions. That’s why experience matters.
Look for companies with a long history of successful projects and employees who continue investing in education, training, and developing their skills.
Industry memberships, affiliations, employee certifications, and continuing education also demonstrate a commitment to quality and staying current with industry best practices. While certifications alone don’t guarantee exceptional results, they show that a company values ongoing learning and strives to maintain high standards.
Just as importantly, ask to see projects similar to yours. A company that excels at installing patios may not specialize in complex outdoor living spaces, retaining walls, custom water features, or other technically demanding projects.
Make Sure They're Properly Licensed and Insured
This step isn’t the most exciting, but it may be one of the most important.
Before hiring a landscape contractor, verify they carry appropriate insurance, including general liability and workers’ compensation coverage, and that they understand local permitting requirements.
If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowners association (HOA), ask whether the contractor is familiar with your community’s design guidelines and approval process. Many HOAs have restrictions on fencing, walls, plant materials, lighting, colors, and other landscape features, so designing with those requirements in mind can help prevent delays and costly revisions.
Working with a properly insured company helps protect both your property and everyone working on it.
Compare More Than Just Price
It’s tempting to choose the lowest estimate, especially when landscaping is a significant investment. Two proposals may appear similar at first glance, but one may include higher-quality materials, better soil preparation, improved drainage, efficient irrigation, stronger warranties, or more experienced installation crews.
Another may leave many of those items out.
Instead of asking, “Which estimate is cheapest?” ask, “Which proposal provides the best long-term value?” A landscape installed correctly the first time can save money on repairs, replacements, and maintenance for years to come.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Landscape Contractor
A consultation isn’t just an opportunity for the contractor to learn about your project. It’s also your chance to learn about the company.
Here are a few questions worth asking (and how you should expect them to be answered):
Our design team brings years of experience creating and building landscapes throughout Colorado. We’ve worked on projects ranging from simple landscape renovations to complex outdoor living spaces, giving us the knowledge to solve challenges before they become problems.
Absolutely. Every landscape is unique, but we’ve completed a wide variety of projects with features and challenges similar to what many homeowners are looking for. We can share photos, project galleries, and case studies to help you see how we’ve transformed properties like yours.
Your project will be overseen by a dedicated supervisor who coordinates the installation from start to finish. They’ll work closely with your designer and installation crew to help keep the project on schedule while serving as your primary point of contact during construction.
Our proposals provide a detailed overview of your project’s scope and primary elements. While they are not itemized line by line, your designer will review the proposal with you in detail, explain each component of the installation, discuss the construction process, and answer any questions about the associated costs. Our goal is to ensure you have a clear understanding of the project before construction begins.
Yes. We provide a standard 60-day warranty on our work. Homeowners who enroll in one of our landscape maintenance programs can extend that coverage to a one-year warranty, helping protect their investment while ensuring their new landscape receives the care it needs.
We understand that ideas can evolve during a project. If you’d like to make changes after construction begins, your designer will review the request to determine whether it requires a formal change order. If additional materials, labor, or time are needed, we’ll provide a clear change order for your review and approval before any work moves forward.
Every landscape project is unique, so timelines vary depending on the size, complexity, weather conditions, material availability, and permitting requirements. During the design process, we’ll provide an estimated timeline and keep you informed throughout the project so you know what to expect every step of the way.
Communication should work for you, not the other way around. We’ll communicate using your preferred method, whether that’s phone calls, emails, text messages, or in-person conversations. Our goal is to keep you informed throughout the project and make sure your questions are answered promptly.
Professional companies should be happy to answer your questions and explain their process.
Choosing the right landscape company doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Download our free How to Select a Landscape Contractor guide for a handy checklist before making your final decision.
Watch for Red Flags
Most landscaping companies want to do quality work, but there are warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored. Be cautious if a contractor:
- Only provides a vague estimate
- Doesn’t give you proof of insurance
- Pressures you to make immediate decisions
- Struggles to show previous work examples
Communication during the estimate process often reflects what you can expect during construction. If it’s difficult to get answers before the project begins, it may become even more challenging once work is underway.
Choose a Long-Term Landscape Partner
Your landscape will continue to grow and change long after installation is complete. Trees mature, gardens evolve, and your family’s needs may change over time.
Choosing a company that can support you with maintenance, seasonal care, future enhancements, and additional projects allows you to build a lasting relationship with professionals who already understand your property.
The right landscape company doesn’t simply complete a project. They help protect and enhance your investment for years to come.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
Choosing a landscape design and installation company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during your project. By taking time to research companies, compare proposals carefully, ask thoughtful questions, and focus on long-term value instead of simply the lowest price, you’ll set your project up for success.
The right team will not only create a beautiful outdoor space, but also provide the experience, craftsmanship, and communication needed to bring your vision to life.
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