DIY Landscaping vs Professional Landscape: Questions to Help You Decide

The prospect of bringing your dream landscape to life is enough to fill you with giddy anticipation. From helping your home stand out with stunning curb appeal to transforming your backyard into a paradise perfectly suited to your lifestyle, your landscape design plan can be among the most impactful decisions you make for your happiness, your family, and your daily experience.

The dilemma that many homeowners face when considering the future of their property is whether they should attempt do-it-yourself landscaping (otherwise known as DIY) or opt for the help of a professional. As Capital Region landscaping experts, we understand the question of professional landscaping vs DIY better than most and are happy to provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for your unique situation.

So, before you jump into do-it-yourself landscaping or sign a contract with a landscaping company, ask yourself the following questions. As you do so, the needs of your property and the best path forward will become more apparent, allowing you to make your choice with confidence.

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Professional Landscaping vs DIY: Which is Right for You?
Questions to Help You Decide How to Landscape Your Yard
Working with a Pro Like Gallivan

Professional Landscaping vs DIY: Which is Right for You?

The Key Benefits and Downsides of DIY and Professional Landscaping

Exploring the specific questions that will help you determine whether landscaping DIY or a professional approach is right for you, it’s important to understand the basics of both options. This includes a quick exploration of why it’s an important decision in the first place, as well as the pros and cons of each.

While the outcome of DIY landscaping and professional landscaping might be comparable, the paths to reach those outcomes could not be more different. The latter is not completely hands-off, as you will work directly with a design team to ensure that your dream landscape comes to fruition, but it is not nearly as labor-intensive and time-intensive as DIY landscaping tends to be. If you embrace the former option, you should be fully prepared to pour massive amounts of time, effort, and energy into the project. The responsibility will be yours alone!

According to one of the designers here at Gallivan, Richard Disharoon, "A professional will have years of experience and hundreds of projects under their belt." In his professional opinion, "the outcome of having your designs done by a professional will be much better." 

But what are the other pros and cons of each option? One major con, as Richard puts it, is that “we tend to see premature failings in some DIY installations - sometimes people get in over their heads."

This leads us to the primary pros and cons that will guide your decision on how to landscape your yard.

The Pros of DIY Landscaping

• Gives you complete creative control
• Saves money by eliminating labor costs
• Allows you to complete work on your budget and schedule

The Cons of DIY Landscaping

• Improper installation
• Lack of experience and expertise
• Expensive equipment purchases and rentals
• Significant time, effort, and energy expenditure
• Potential safety concerns

The Pros of Professional Landscaping

• Constant communication with an expert team 
• Quality assurance
• Efficient design and installation
• Expertise that contributes to quality, longevity, and so on
• Safe and insured work

The Cons of Professional Landscaping

• Costly investment, especially for large or complex projects
• Less creative and hands-on involvement
• Demands effort and trust to find the right landscaping professional

Questions to Help You Decide How to Landscape Your Yard

To help determine which landscaping path is right for you, asking a few pertinent questions can quickly narrow your focus and give you direction. Equipped with effective questions about landscape design in the Capital Region and cities such as Saratoga Springs, Albany, and Clifton Park, you can emerge from the process feeling confident and ready to pursue your idyllic property.

On the off chance that you are not a landscaping expert, we’ve compiled a list of the most effective questions regarding professional landscaping vs DIY landscaping. They should give you the foundation you need to sort through your options and select the right route for your preference and property.

What is the Size and Complexity of the Project?

Starting with the basics is the best way to begin sorting through your thoughts and ensuring you choose the right direction for your landscaping project. This can include certain details, such as your budget, but should focus on the fundamentals of your project, most notably its size and complexity.

For example, simply adding a flower bed or two to spruce up the curb appeal of your home is a far cry from completely revamping your backyard into a social hub, complete with an outdoor kitchen and swimming pool. You may be able to complete the former over a weekend or two with very little experience. The latter is a huge investment that could likely use a professional touch to reach perfection.

Do I Have the Time and Tools to Complete This Project?

This question requires absolute honesty with yourself because it is easy to talk yourself into a DIY landscaping approach if you’re not careful. You may consider a project, think through the details, and even sit down and schedule out the steps required to complete it, but larger and more complex landscaping projects can quickly snowball.

Setting aside a handful of weekends or your paid vacation is admirable, but will you actually be able to finish your project in the allotted time? Will family activities, unexpected responsibilities, and the hustle and bustle of everyday life stretch two weeks into two months (or more)?

Time isn’t the only aspect of this question to consider, either. Most landscaping projects require basic tools, and many are made easier with specialized equipment. Unless you have access to a large number of landscaping tools, you will have to factor the cost of renting or buying these necessities into your budget. The cost savings associated with do-it-yourself landscaping can quickly disappear as a result.  Not to mention YouTube videos can only take amateur knowledge so far.

Am I Confident in My Landscape Design Plan and Layout Skills?

Spreading mulch, installing plants, and laying pavers is one thing. All of these jobs are necessary to a complete landscape, but they are more practical than they are technical. In other words, they just require the right tools and a little labor, not design and strategy.

One of the primary benefits of working with a professional landscape company is access to a dedicated design team. These experts evaluate your property, listen to your dreams, and work with you to design and implement all of the elements required to create your idyllic landscape. They have the training and experience required to ensure that your property looks and functions its best both now and far into the future.

If you doubt your ability to develop a strategic landscape design that works with your property’s inherent characteristics and complements your preexisting elements (both natural and artificial, such as your architecture), you should consider entrusting this part of the process to a professional.

What is the Risk of Costly Mistakes or Redos?

No matter how cautious and patient you are, there is always a possibility of making mistakes when attempting DIY landscaping. While it’s unlikely that one of those mistakes will permanently scar your property, landscaping mistakes can be expensive to repair or redo entirely. When piled on top of the money you’ve already invested, such mistakes can be pretty difficult to accept.

There is also the potential for injury. Landscaping is not always easy. It is physically demanding, involves working with equipment and tools, and presents opportunities for overexertion, strain, and injury. The last thing you want to do is wind up hurt as a result of a landscaping mistake when a team of landscape veterans could have prevented such an outcome. 

How Important is Long-Term Home Value and ROI to Me?

There’s no argument that the upfront cost of working with a landscaping professional tends to be significantly higher than taking a DIY approach. However, the return on investment may be worth the initial expense, making the financial side of things a bit more nuanced than many people think.

A properly designed and implemented landscape can lead to long-term gains in beauty, functionality, and value. By investing more upfront, you could reap rewards in the future.

Will My Project Require Permits, Grading Plans, or Inspections?

The more involved your landscaping project is, the higher the possibility of running into obstacles. From electrical permits to grading plans, navigating red tape and securing the approvals you need can be more than a little frustrating.

Working with a professional who understands the proper pathways and has a process in place to do everything by the book can save you from multiple headaches, streamline your project, and help you avoid potential issues related to permits and inspections.

What’s the True Cost Comparison When Considering All Factors?

DIY landscaping is compelling for a number of reasons, especially to those who love the feeling of accomplishment they get when completing a job well done. Of the advantages of a DIY approach, saving money is often among the top reasons homeowners elect to forgo professional help.

Before you write off the idea of working with an experienced landscaping company, it is important to consider all costs involved in landscaping DIY projects, including:

• Materials
• Equipment and tool purchases and rentals
• Repairs and redos if you make a mistake
• Permits and inspections
• Long-term value
• Your time (and sanity)

When considered as a big picture, the cost comparison of professional landscaping and DIY landscaping is often much closer than homeowners assume.

Making the Right Call for Your Property: Working with a Pro Like Gallivan

Choosing the right path to achieving and enjoying your dream Capital Region property is a deeply personal decision that hinges on a number of factors. If you opt to enjoy the many advantages of working with a professional, be sure to choose wisely and work with an experienced, reputable company that has a history of excellence.

At Gallivan, we have been perfecting properties for decades, and with a dedicated in-house team of designers, we’re ready to help your landscape reach its full potential. Reach out today to discuss your project. Our passionate landscaping experts are ready to help bring your dream to life!