Best 5 Landscaping Companies in San Diego, CA

DIY Options vs. Professional Services

You likely have some basic lawn maintenance knowledge. However, landscaping requires advanced skills, intense labor, and heavy equipment. Complicated projects, such as adding an irrigation system or fire pit, also necessitate machinery and construction experience.

Small landscaping projects, such as removing overgrown plants or adding flower beds, can be easy projects to DIY. If you don't have basic lawn expertise or are planning a complete yard overhaul, we recommend hiring a professional.

Professional landscape architects and designers have the skills to elevate your outdoor space and the expertise to create a long-term maintenance plan. A local professional can help you choose the most cost-effective upgrades, and one who also offers lawn care services can enhance your yard health. Hiring a professional also prevents costly DIY mistakes.

Factors To Consider When Choosing an San Diego Landscaping Company

Selecting the right landscaping company depends on several factors, such as your service needs, your budget, and the company’s experience. Consider the following factors when hiring a landscaping contractor.

Services Offered

It’s important to assess your landscaping needs before choosing a company. If you’re looking for assistance with yard health and maintenance, look for one that offers lawn care services. These services may include mowing, mulching, pruning, controlling weeds, and fertilizing. Some companies offer additional pest management services and tree removal.

You'll need a full-service landscaping company if you're planning a full revamp of your yard or want new outdoor elements, such as a fire pit. Full-service companies specialize in outdoor upgrades and designs, including adding hardscapes, gardening, and landscaping rock projects. They may also help install fire pits, retaining walls, sprinkler or irrigation systems, and other architectural elements. Some offer lawn maintenance services.

Licensing and Experience

Landscape contractors often have advanced training and certification in areas such as horticulture, outdoor design, and lawn maintenance. A company should have the appropriate licenses from the California Contractors State Licensing Board. It might also employ the following certified staff members:

• Certified fertilization or pesticide specialists
• Licensed arborists
• Licensed horticulture specialists
• Licensed or certified landscaping designers or architects

It may also have certifications from professional organizations, such as the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Professional Landcare Network. Although these certifications aren’t mandatory, they’re an added bonus. Your landscaper should be fully insured and bonded. Contractors usually have liability insurance for protection against property damage or bodily injury. Homeowners should request a certificate of insurance or insurance numbers to verify coverage.

Reputation and Reviews

Make sure you choose a contractor with good customer reviews. You can look at third-party review sites such as the Better Business Bureau to ensure a company has a good reputation and provides a positive customer experience. Try to avoid companies with largely negative reviews, including reviews that frequently mention unreliable customer service, delayed projects, or poor project results.

Work Portfolio

Most landscaping and maintenance companies are happy to share completed projects with potential customers. Ask to see a portfolio of your provider's landscaping projects and designs. They might also provide before and after pictures to show the quality of their work. Request finished landscape designs similar to your project to get an idea of how it will look.

Sustainability Practices

Sustainability practices are essential for any landscaper. These include water conservation, eco-friendly material options, and waste management. Landscaping contractors should implement native plant life—such as evening primrose, red columbine, and beach strawberry—for best results. Any work done on your property shouldn't affect your existing vegetation. Your landscaper should advise of any sustainability practices for your project and provide recommendations for reducing maintenance costs, water consumption, and waste.

Cost

We recommend requesting quotes from multiple companies. This lets you compare services and cost and can even help you negotiate a better deal. Many companies offer free consultations to review your outdoor space, talk about project plans, and provide recommendations. Your detailed quote includes information about various project expenses, such as labor and materials.

Landscaping Costs in San Diego

In San Diego, you should expect to pay roughly $27–$40 for landscaping, depending on project type and size. Significant yard work like resodding will cost more than more straightforward tasks like mowing and gardening. Factors such as materials and the size of your yard will affect your final price. For larger yards, companies may charge by the acre. Bigger projects will require more labor, which will increase costs. Here's the average cost of landscaping by project type:

Landscaping Service	Average Cost
Deck	$13,206 - $17,608
Landscaping Design	$2,028 - $2,704
Landscaping LandGrading	$420 - $2,521
Landscaping Mulch	$25 - $126
Planting FlowerBeds	$84 - $1,681
Planting Trees	$220 - $367
Sodding	$42 - $50
Swimming Pool	$31,932 - $84,032