Your garden should be an extension of your home — and when you treat it like this, you and your family will enjoy a peaceful sanctuary for relaxing, entertaining and more…all while soaking up nature. Whether you imagine an extravagant stone patio, a complete outdoor kitchen, an idyllic garden hideaway, the choice of what landscaping company in Atlanta you select will be the difference between success and failure in your outdoor remodeling project.
With so many landscape companies in and around greater Atlanta, North Atlanta and others, how do you know who you can trust to give your landscape the look that you are seeking?
This article will guide you about the 7 most critical things to look for when hiring a landscape contractor. Whether you need a mason, a full-service design and installation treatment, or you’re going after specialized hardscaping, this article will get you aligned with a company that provides great outcomes — and a smooth customer experience.
1. Understand Your Outdoor Space Needs
Define Your Outdoor Living Goals
Before you can start out the ultimate outdoor makeover, have some vision on what you wish to get from your great outdoors. What would you like to do with your outdoor space? Do you envision a quiet retreat, a party hub, or an alfresco kitchen and dining area? Once you are clear about what your objective is you may plan the work to do it.
Answer the following questions and you’ll have a good idea what you want from your outdoor lifestyle:
- What will you do with your outdoor space?
- How do you want to use your outside space?
- What look are you striving for with your outdoor room or space?
- How much would you like to invest to make this possible?
Your responses to these questions will enable you to develop a vision for your outdoor project and make informed decisions as you create and build your project.
Assess Your Property’s Unique Challenges
All locations have their own set of challenges and it is imperative to assess your challenges before deciding to start an outdoor makeover project. Consider the following factors:
- Climate and weather conditions
- Soil type and drainage
- Sunlight and shade patterns
- Wind direction and speed
- Neighboring properties and noise levels
- Local building codes and regulations
Knowing what’s best for your property, you can design and construct an outdoor space that’s functional, safe and good-looking.
2. Look For a Full-Service Landscape Design & Build Company
All landscaping companies are not the same. Some simply mow grass and plant trees and flowers, while others, like Arnold Masonry and Landscape, offer full-service, design-build landscaping services from the first consult to the last install.
Instead of choosing a full-service provider, you could opt for a provider focused on a specific type of service.
- One team working all pieces of the project
- A more streamlined design process, less snail mail or miscommunication
- Greater accountability and quality control
- A softscape with integrated hardscape, lighting, and drainage
Define Your Outdoor Living Goals
As you plan the layout of your backyard, consider how you might use it as a place for family to gather and strengthen your bond.
- Are you looking for an entertaining space?
- Seeking a quiet Get-away?
A seamless experience from the outside is what you should be aiming for, not only does your space look great, it works great. Make sure the company you hire can help you create a cohesive vision, and has the experience to make it happen.
3. Prioritize Experience And Local Reputation
As you consider investing in a large outdoor project or projects, the skills and success stories should bring you confidence in that team. Be sure to read a few reviews to find out how committed the company is to quality.
Fit with a firm who has decades worth of work under their belt, and even better an Atlanta custom masonry and landscaping supplier. Knowledge in soil, weather, native plants, regulations etc.. will help you to install successful plants. No job is too big or small, we treat every work we do as equally important and with the same high standard of quality and professionalism.
One example is Arnold Masonry and Landscape that has served the Atlanta area for 40 years and whose name is literally what it represents: A name you can trust, great customer service and award winning work. When it comes to outdoor living spaces they do it all too with special design patios, outdoor fireplaces and kitchens, retaining walls, pavilions, pergolas and all out landscape makeovers. You will want to do the following before you hire any company:
- Check Google, HOUZZ, and BBB reviews and see who has the highest rating.
- Browse their online portfolio
References/ Testimonials The best measure of the quality of the translation is the translator’s previous clients.
4. Review Their Design Capabilities And Aesthetic Range
Each outdoor space is unique — and so is every homeowners’ dream. A reputable landscape company will have a degreed landscape architect in house to design outdoor space that lives in harmony with nature and appeals to all sorts of design palates – from traditional Southern grace to hip, modern minimalism.
Examine what the company has worked on in the past to find out:
- Many different materials (stone, brick, wood, etc.)
- Design styles (traditional contemporary Mediterranean rustic etc.)
- Combining hardscaping and softscaping
If you care about having the job done right the first time or are interested in stone masonry or intricate landscape/hardscape work, you’re probably better off hiring a contractor or landscaping company that specializes in custom masonry work rather than simple landscaping.
Arnold Masonry and Landscape, for example, specializes in integrating custom stonework along with natural, useful landscapes — and provides custom answers that fit the lifestyle and look of each of their client’s properties. Their in-house designers like to get up close and personal, drawing clients’ ideas out onto paper and staying in touch throughout their project.
5. Verify Licensing, Insurance, And Industry Certifications
This might sound obvious, but it bears repeating: only work with companies that are completely licensed and insured. Our team of professional engineers will provide the technical know-how and hands-on project management from start to finish. Here are fewer lists landscaping contractors to wear.
- General liability insurance
- Workers’ compensation insurance
- All necessary state or local permits for outdoor construction
These safeguards can help protect you from financial exposure if they cause accidents, damage someone else’s property or abandon a job before they’re done. Additional certifications—such as memberships in the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP), Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI), or the Masonry Contractors Association of America—can be a strong sign of a company’s commitment to excellence, professionalism, and continuing education.
6. Ask About Construction Standards And Materials
In Atlanta weather, it’s not just about looks, but it’s about lasting. To the extent the landscape has elements such as irrigation or structure that need to be repaired, your investment must be maintained in order to retain their function.
For example patios improperly installed, put over compacted sand overlaying inadequate drains often settle and develop cracks as time goes by. At Arnold Masonry and Landscape, unlike many contractors, every stone patio that we install is over concrete, for stability, with the bonding agents and correct amount of water added to the mortar ensuring that that pretty stone patio does not become an issue for you down the road.
(And make sure your landscape contractor is using:)
- Premium-grade materials from reputable suppliers
- Proper compaction and drainage systems
- Old fashioned methods of construction for walls, fire pits, and paths
- Clear guidelines on thickness and backing, restrictions if any in terms of numbers and type of support
Definitely ask about how your stuff gets plopped in place, especially if your project has structural or long-term characteristics (patios, fireplaces, outdoor kitchens). At Arnold Masonry and Landscape, we want to give you the kind of work you deserve, a finished product that will surpass your expectations and add value to your home or business for many years to come.
7. Evaluate Communication And Project Management
Landscaping is a significant investment — and communication can make or break the experience.
Choose a company that offers:
- Clear timelines and deliverables
- One project manager or contact person, or.
- The timing, reversals and extent of changes are transparent
At Arnold Masonry and Landscape, we begin every design and installation with a free, no obligation on-site consultation at your home, to be able to assess your needs and design the most visually appealing and desired project for your home or business. In reviews, customers say they are detail-oriented, follow through and put the customer first. We want to do your landscape exactly like you want it.
8. Consider The Long-Term Value
Of course, budget is going to be a factor, but cost should not be what dictates the best service for you. What’s in even could find yourself being one thing costly now with a purpose to costly repairs and complete redos down the street. Instead, think about:
- Return on investment (ROI):Quality landscaping could increase the value of your property by nearly 20%.
- Maintenance: Plants that require little maintenance and materials that last can end up saving time and money in the long term.
- Curb appeal: Thoughtfully designed and tended-to landscaping can significantly improve the appearance of your home — and even add to its resale value.
Serving Atlanta, Georgia, we want to bring “quality not quantity” to each project working with the finest most durable products available. From grading, to lighting design, to planting plans everything is carefully designed for both purpose and form. And they claim that their level and quality of service and results are the same for all jobs, big and small.
9. Make Your Final Decision
Comparing Companies and Services
Once you narrow your list down, it is time to compare companies and services. Consider the following factors:
- Proficiency in outdoor makeover and general landscape building
- Craftsmanship and careful workmanship
- Customer service and communication
- Pricing and value for money
- Public opinion and past clients testimonials
- Warranty and support offered
When you can compare companies and services you will be able to make that informed decision that is right for you and your budget.
Oh, and here are a couple additional questions to ask potential companies:
- How many hours of outdoor renovation and landscape design do you have under your belt?
- Do you have relevant experience and examples of past work you can point to?
- What do you think about designing and building outdoor spaces?
- How do you handle communicating and listening to the customer?
- How do you charge and what is included?
- What kind of warranties and services do you offer?
- Does the owner have an actual history of the trade or are they just business people or sales people?
Posing these questions can help you determine which company offers the thing you need and help you make an empowered decision that’s right for you.
What Sets Arnold Masonry And Landscape Apart?
If you are in search of a reputable, quality landscaping company, Arnold Masonry and Landscape is what you’re looking for in Atlanta and North Atlanta:
- 40+Years and Highly Skilled in The Art Handling of Fine Masonry & Landscaping
- Award Winning As seen in national design publications
- Expert Artisanry Specializing in stone, brick, hardscaping.
- Licensed and Insured professionals serving clients across Buckhead, Sandy Springs, Roswell, Marietta, and beyond
Complete design mentality including luxury, longevity, and utility
Service Areas
Here are the metro Atlanta areas WE SERVE:
- Atlanta
- Sandy Springs
- Roswell
- Alpharetta
- Buckhead, Atlanta
- Marietta
- Milton
- Brookhaven
- Dunwoody
- Johns Creek
- Milton
- Woodstock
- Kennesaw
- and more!
Whether beginning with a blank space, or adding to an already-developed yard, their team has a good amount of local knowledge as well as an artistic eye that they incorporate into each project, and their clients always come out happy. They vow to give nothing but the best and work hard to provide clean, efficient work that you will love: Every time.
Ready To Transform Your Outdoor Living Space?
Choosing to hire a landscape company isn’t just hiring a crew of labor; it’s entrusting your dreams to a company that will work together with you to make your dreams come to life.
Honing our skills with the added support of a huge number of awards, Arnold Masonry and Landscape knows construction quality in a way few others can realize.
Take a look at their portfolio and see the difference we can make for homeowners everywhere or reach out and ask us about our personalized consultation and what we can offer you to make it happen.
FINAL THOUGHTS
When others come to visit, the landscape of your property is the first they notice — and the last they remember. When it is good, which is in the hands of the right team of designers, it is a stylish, functional sanctuary. When you choose an experienced, full-service landscape company that has a proven history of generating quality results for Atlanta services, you’re not just investing in curb appeal—you’re investing in a custom outdoor space that adds long-term value and year-round pleasure.
Don’t settle for ordinary. Make it spectacular with Arnold Masonry and Landscape to elevate the form and function of your outdoor area with a truly high-quality structure, and create your own private oasis.
