Why Cheap Landscaping is a Bad Idea

Money will always be an issue so it’s understandable why people would prefer cheap landscaping, or will attempt to turn a major landscaping need into a DIY project. Unfortunately, landscaping is more complicated than just shoveling dirt or mixing cement. You would think that you are saving a lot if you go with cheap options, but you are actually setting yourself up for a huge headache and even more expenses. You also need to worry about the damage you’ll do to your property. And repairing damages will cost a lot of money.

- Is Cheap Landscaping Really Worth It?
  
  Of course, we know that different landscaping providers will try to reduce their rates in order to compete with each other. That is perfectly fine. What we are advocating against is property owners using price as the sole determining factor in the contractor selection process. This is a very harmful idea for a number of reasons, chief of which is that it starts a race to the bottom.
  Landscaping companies like Water Wise Landscape are at the mercy of the market. They will always adapt to the maximum amount that the market is willing to pay. If all clients only go for cheap landscaping at the exclusion of all else, then the industry will have no choice but to try and bring down their prices. The consequences of this can be any of the following:
  - Lack of expertise – workers that are skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced command higher wages. So a landscaping firm that’s trying to bring down prices will only hire workers who lack experience and skill, since they are the ones that are affordable. Do you really want sub par workers to do your landscaping?
  - Sub par equipment and materials – similar to workers, the really good landscaping equipment will cost a premium. Contractors that are trying to cut costs will buy cheap equipment. These cheap equipment will perform poorly, and that translates to bad landscaping jobs.
  - Closing of landscaping companies – this is the worst that could happen. Many landscaping companies will not be sustainable, especially those that do not want to sacrifice their quality of work just to win the race to the bottom. This could lead to two things: either the market gets saturated by cheap, subpar landscaping outfits, or the market ends up consolidated with one big landscaping firm turning into a de facto monopoly (and you know what monopolies do. They have the power to drive prices way, way up.)

What Do You Do if You Really Need Cheap Landscaping

Instead of trying to find cheap landscaping at the exclusion of all else, there are a few things you can do to make things more cost-effective:

First is to be realistic. The more complex your landscape design, the more expensive it will be. So don’t try to go for ridiculously convoluted designs if you are worried about your budget. Go for something more simple and affordable.

Second and more important course of action is to find a reputable, caring landscaping company like Water Wise Landscape. A good landscaping company will listen to your concerns and will work around your budget. They will try to provide services that are custom-tailored to your budget, without sacrificing the quality of materials and labor. All you need to do is be open to suggestions, honest, and willing to work with them. Contact Water Wise Landscape now and you’ll get a FREE quote.

About Water Wise Landscape

Our Story

Hudson Hale graduated with honors from Cornell University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Horticulture. He was hired by Environmental Care Inc. and worked with them in San Jose, CA until 1982 when he transferred to Palm Springs to help them open a new branch as General Superintendent. ..

About Us

Since 2007, Water Wise Landscape provided exceptional service to our customers and work to promote eco-friendly and thriving landscapes. Whether it’s improvements to an existing landscape or a new construction, we have the staff and experience to walk you through all the stages of installation from design to construction to maintenance.

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Current licenses, certifications, and affiliations include: