The Complete Guide to Hiring a Professional Landscaping Company in Idaho Falls

If you're planning a landscape project, choosing the right landscaping company is one of the most important decisions you'll make. Whether you're investing in a custom outdoor living space, improving your home's curb appeal, or looking for reliable landscape maintenance, the company you hire will have a lasting impact on the results.

With so many landscaping companies serving Idaho Falls and the surrounding communities, it can be difficult to know who to trust. Every contractor promises quality work, but not every company offers experienced landscape designers, skilled installation crews, ongoing maintenance services, or the communication needed to make a major project successful.

Table of Contents

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Landscaper

Common Landscape Services Offered by Idaho Falls Companies

How to Evaluate a Landscaping Company in Idaho Falls

Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Landscaper

Understanding the Costs of Landscape Maintenance or Installation

Questions to Ask Before Signing a Landscaping Contract

Why Outback is the Right Choice for Landscape Maintenance & Installation in Southeast Idaho and Northwestern Wyoming

This guide explains how to choose a professional landscaping company in Idaho Falls, what services to expect, how much landscaping typically costs, which red flags to avoid, and which questions to ask before signing a contract.

Whether you're planning a complete landscape renovation or simply looking for dependable maintenance, you'll have the information you need to make a confident decision.

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Landscaper

You might want to put your feet up for this one. There are lots of benefits to hiring a landscaper.

Craving curb appeal? Can’t keep your landscape plants alive? Need a luxurious backyard retreat where you can let the day’s stress melt away?

That’s just three reasons. Keep reading.

1. Pros Are Experts in Our Climate and Growing Conditions

Plants have to put up with a lot around here.

Idaho Falls has four distinct seasons, from warm, dry summers to long frigid winters.

Temperatures range from about 14 to 87, with occasional plunges below zero.

You could try choosing your own plants. Maybe they’ll thrive. Maybe they’ll die. Feeling lucky?

Or trust a skilled and local landscape designer to do it for you.

They’ll explain how Swedish aspen, dogwoods, arborvitae, Norway spruce, and ornamental grasses will survive the cold, the heat, and the occasional drought conditions that Idaho Falls dishes out through the seasons.

The best landscapers in Idaho Falls understand our diverse environments and can help you choose plants that will thrive on your property, while minimizing water use and maintenance.

This is what they do every day. Why not let them?

2. Curb Appeal That Wows

Do you know which plants will boost your curb appeal in Victor, ID?

Plant pros do. They might recommend Gold Mound Spirea to add great four-season color. Or the stunning deep purple foliage of Diablo Ninebark, an impressive shrub even without the pretty white flower clusters that appear in summer.

Pros know to layer your home’s foundation with a mix of plants with different shapes and textures to avoid a boring row of the same old thing.

Would you think to plop big planters on your porch packed with banana trees, exotic palms and colorful canna?

The pro approach packs a punch.

3. Boost Your Property Value

Healthy lawns, attractive plantings, luxurious outdoor living spaces, and water-saving irrigation systems all make a property more desirable to buyers. Professional landscape maintenance services in Pocatello, ID will keep your place looking impressive year-round.

4. Water-Saving Design

Idaho Falls and the surrounding Treasure Valley have historically experienced dry summers and multiple droughts.

Climate change is making water conservation efforts here even more important.

A full-service landscaping company in Idaho Falls can bring in water-wise landscaping techniques, from drought-tolerant native plants to efficient irrigation systems. Intrigued by xeriscaping?

It uses drought-tolerant plants and other smart materials like gravel, rocks and mulch.

Saving water matters, now more than ever.

5. Drainage or Erosion Problems

If everything is working right, water flows naturally away from your house, not toward it.

But that’s not always happening out there. You might have patio puddles or wet socks to prove it.

Outback Landscape designers have seen lots of drainage problems with new patios that haven’t been installed correctly.

If installers don’t grade the area correctly, water backs up, causing flooding or damage. Water can’t penetrate a hard surface like a patio the way it does a garden bed.

Should you hire a landscaper or do it yourself? Water management is a great example of how hiring a landscape professional in Idaho Falls makes a real difference.

The most awesome, high-end patio isn’t so great if it means your basement floods with every heavy rain.

6. Custom Luxury Outdoor Living Spaces

You want your landscaping to look great. But you also want it to change your life and boost your outdoor living, so you want to linger out there for hours. That’s actually not too much to ask.

The best landscapers in Rexburg, ID, can design and build outdoor features tailored to you, including multipurpose patios with separate outdoor rooms; luxurious outdoor kitchens as entertainment hot spots; and rejuvenating outdoor wellness retreats with soothing saunas and refreshing plunge pools.

Add sophisticated landscape lighting, and there’s no reason to go inside.

7. Lower Long-Term Landscaping Costs

The way you design a landscape sets the tone for how it works.

Choose a sprawling lawn, and you’ll need lots of irrigation, fertilizer, weed control and frequent mowing to keep it looking great.

But incorporate easy-care ground covers, native plants, and decorative boulders, and say bye to the fussy lawn that’s been holding you back.

Outback Landscape designers often replace large, high-maintenance lawns with low-maintenance ground covers, ornamental grasses, or mulch beds.

This strategy reduces landscape maintenance costs but still looks great.

8. Ongoing Landscape Health

When an Idaho Falls full-service landscaping company also offers ongoing maintenance for the plants they’ve installed, they’re always looking out for your landscape’s health.

Crews are on your property often, so they notice problem issues like damaging pests, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and irrigation problems before they become major expenses.

Common Landscape Services Offered by Idaho Falls Services

How to hire a landscaping company?

First, make sure they offer all the services you need.

Not every Idaho Falls landscaper is a full-service landscaping company. Some might specialize in services you don’t even need.

What services does a full-service landscaping company provide?

Landscape Design

This is where it all starts.

You want a landscaping company that prioritizes skilled, creative landscape design with in-house designers.

The best landscaping companies in Idaho Falls have designers who help you plan your landscape design around your actual lifestyle. What will your patio life look like? Do you need enough space to host big gatherings? Or just enough room for cozy candlelight dinners for two?

Is a fire pit part of the plan? A plunge pool?

A skilled landscape designer will help you make sense of it all, starting with a professional landscape consultation where you both ask a lot of questions.

This is where the fun starts.

Landscape Construction

How to transform your outdoor space into a luxurious, functional extension of your home? Skilled landscape construction crews bring your vision to life with custom patios, walkways, retaining walls, planting beds, outdoor living areas, and more.

A combination of expert craftsmanship and quality materials create landscapes that enhance your curb appeal, boost your outdoor life and stand the test of time.

Landscape Maintenance

Landscape maintenance keeps your new landscaping looking its best all year long, from skilled pruning to expert weed control to painstaking seasonal cleanups and plant care. Maintenance pros handle the details so you can enjoy a healthy, well-maintained landscape without the hassle.

Lawn Care

Lawns are needy.

Comprehensive lawn care services in Driggs, ID include fertilization, weed control, insect control, aeration, and other treatments designed to keep your grass healthy, vibrant, and resilient through whatever Idaho’s complicated climate dishes out.

Plunge Pools

Create your own backyard retreat with a custom plunge pool.

Most homeowners use a plunge pool for a few core purposes, from cooling down on hot days to soaking after exercise or rejuvenating with cold-water therapy.

These popular features offer the luxury of a pool in a compact, low-maintenance design.

Landscape Lighting

Why let your landscaping’s best features disappear after sundown? Showcase the beauty of your property after dark with strategically designed lighting that enhances curb appeal, improves safety, highlights architectural and landscape features, and creates an inviting atmosphere for evening enjoyment. Your place could be the new neighborhood hot spot.

Holiday Lighting

Ditch the shaky ladder and miles of tangled cords.

Professional holiday lighting installation takes all the hassle out of it and leaves you with the festive sparkle.

Holiday lighting pros provide the design, installation, maintenance, removal, and storage. All you have to do is sip cocoa and wait for Rudolph.

Irrigation

All that stunning landscaping needs irrigation. Protect your investment and ensure your system is as efficient as possible with smart features that conserve water and promote healthy growth.

Partner with an Idaho Falls landscaper that designs, installs, repairs, and maintains irrigation systems so you water worry-free.

Snow and Ice Removal

Peace of mind is everything when it comes to snow and ice removal during Idaho winters.

Partner with an Idaho Falls landscape maintenance company committed to taking away your worries with certified snow professionals,

around-the-clock services and a commitment to customer service so you know your property will be clear and safe.

Make sure they use environmentally friendly de-icing products that won’t harm your turf, your plants or the environment.

How to Evaluate a Landscaping Company in Idaho Falls

Now that you’ve spent 86 hours on Pinterest wistfully gazing at beautiful landscaping ideas, it’s time to take action.

How do you choose the right landscaping company? It’s kind of overwhelming, right?

Maybe you’re lucky and have a trusted friend who can recommend a company that did great work at their place.

But if you’re on your own, what should you look for when hiring a landscaper in Idaho Falls?

Check out a few key factors:

• Browse through their portfolio to make sure they’ve completed projects similar to your vision. An Idaho Falls landscaper should be able to showcase projects that show creativity and attention to detail. Look for projects that include hardscaping elements, outdoor living spaces, drainage solutions, and professionally designed plantings.
• Ask for references, then check them out. Drive past homes they’ve landscaped to see if their work wows you.
• Check out the company’s Google reviews. If a ton of people left reviews and the company also has close to five stars, they’ve made a lot of homeowners happy. That’s a great sign.
• When you’re hiring a landscaping professional in Alpine, WY, make absolutely sure they have in-house, experienced landscape designers on staff. This is huge. A skilled, creative designer has a major impact on your project, sharing their innovative ideas and creative flair to develop a perfect landscape design plan for your outdoor space.
• Good questions to ask a landscaper? Ask them what you can expect from this partnership. Ask the designer to walk you through how this will go, from deciding which features you’ll include to choosing materials, through construction, payment, and the final walk-through. (More about good questions to ask in a bit.)
• Experience and qualifications matter. Not all landscapers offer the same level of expertise, especially in landscape design and construction. Find out how long the company has been serving Idaho Falls. Are they a full-service landscaping company? Do they specialize in the kind of work you need?
• Ask about their communication. The best landscapers in Jackson Hole, WY listen carefully to your goals, explain the design and construction process clearly, and provide realistic timelines. Who will be your point person through the process and how will you be able to contact them?
• Verify that the company is properly licensed and insured. Insurance protects both the homeowner and contractor if unexpected issues arise during construction.

How do you choose the right landscaping company? It takes some work. But they should help make it easy by answering all your questions, showing you great examples of their work, and sharing lots of good reasons to hire them.

Red Flags to Watch for When Hiring a Landscaper

You don’t need a literal red flag to warn you that something’s not quite right with the Idaho Falls landscaper you’re considering.

Sometimes, you can just feel it. Why won’t they call you back? That contract seems pretty light on details. They shouldn’t be asking for the whole payment up front, right?

Something isn’t quite right.

What red flags should you watch for when hiring a landscaper?

Let’s take a look:

• They ask for full payment up front. Legitimate landscapers typically require a deposit to cover initial materials, with the rest paid later as milestones are completed or upon project completion.
• A bid significantly lower than that of other full-service landscaping companies in Idaho Falls. Excessively low bids relative to industry averages usually mean the contractor is skipping critical construction steps, using cheap materials, or lacking proper insurance.
• They don’t require a contract. When you’re hiring a landscaper, you should expect a detailed, itemized contract detailing the exact scope of work, timeline, materials, and warranty. It protects you from misunderstandings and surprise fees.
• A poor Google rating. An Idaho Falls landscaping company isn’t completely defined by its Google rating, but it’s a good, quick snapshot of a company’s performance, as judged by its customers. First, you’ll look at the stars. How many out of five? But how many reviews they have is important, too. The more reviews they have, the more weight those stars carry.
• They can’t provide proof of insurance or licensing. Always ask for proof of liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If an uninsured worker gets hurt on your Idaho property or damages your home or foundation, you could be held personally liable.
• They’re vague about the scope of work. Your contract should clearly state what is and isn't included in your project price. Is debris cleanup included? Plant disposal? You want to know the details upfront. Sketchy details are among the red flags for landscape contractors.
• Poor communication. Do they answer the phone? Return texts or emails? Do they happily answer all your questions? Do they ask you questions? A landscaping project requires a lot of communication. You want to know right away if this part of your partnership will go smoothly.
• They hesitate to provide references. A competent landscaper should be happy to provide references or let you view past projects they’ve done.

How do you know if a landscaper is reputable? You shouldn’t see any of these red flags.

Trust your instincts. Look for a landscaping partner who is happy to answer your questions, provide references, show you examples of their work, return your calls and walk you through exactly what to expect as your project progresses.

Understanding the Costs of Landscape Maintenance or Installation

Whether you’re signing up for a landscape maintenance program or getting ready for a big installation project, you always want to know how much it will cost.

How much does professional landscaping cost in Idaho Falls?

How much does it cost to build a retaining wall?

What will you spend on an outdoor kitchen?

Obviously, there’s no single price tag for landscape installation in Idaho Falls. Pricing varies based on the project scope, the materials you choose, the conditions on your property, the complexity of the design, and dozens of other factors.

Landscape maintenance costs can be easier to pin down, but still vary based on the services you choose and how often crews visit your property. Will you need irrigation maintenance?

What about mulching service?

But it’s helpful to keep a few things in mind when it comes to cost:

Professional Landscape Consultations

Consultations are critical as you embark on a landscape design project. A landscape designer can walk you through the project, explain how factors like material choices can affect your cost, and answer questions about doing a project in phases to spread out the cost.

A Detailed Design

Professional planning will help avoid wasted money. One of the most effective ways to control landscaping costs is by developing a detailed master plan with your designer before starting construction.

Expect to pay between $1,500 and $2,000 for basic landscape design services. But that design can save you thousands.

A design prevents costly changes. Without a plan, homeowners often make decisions mid-project, which leads to expensive redesigns and rework. If you have to rip something out because it doesn’t work, you’re wasting a lot of money.

Planning ensures materials are ordered correctly, too, reducing waste and unnecessary expenses.

And if you want to spread out the project cost over time by doing it in phases, a detailed plan helps your Idaho Falls landscaper do that efficiently.

Surprises Happen

And they’re not always good. It’s smart to set aside money to pay for unexpected landscape maintenance costs. Dead tree branches that pose a danger if not removed. More snow than you planned on. Sudden drainage issues.

Unexpected costs pop up in landscape renovation projects, too.

Crews might discover large rocks, stubborn roots, or buried utilities during excavation, which can pause work and require additional labor and specialized equipment to remove, adding to your Idaho Falls landscape installation renovation costs.

Consider This An Investment

Any money you spend on landscaping, whether it’s on maintenance or landscape design projects, is an investment in how much you use and enjoy your outdoor living areas and in your long-term property value.

Questions to Ask Before Signing a Landscaping Contract

How do you choose the right landscaping company? It’s a big decision.

You’ll feel better about your choice if you’re confident you’re making an informed decision.

What questions should you ask before hiring a landscaping company? We’ll make it easy. Bring these lists — one for landscape design and build, another for hiring landscape maintenance:

Questions for a Landscape Design Build Company

• What’s included in a landscape design consultation?
• How far in advance do I need to hire you if I want my project done in time to enjoy this summer?
• What can I expect throughout the design and construction process?
• Tell me about how we’ll communicate and how often.
• Who will be my primary point of contact?
• Do you carry liability and workers' compensation insurance?
• Will I get a detailed, itemized bid?
• How do you handle unexpected costs?
• What’s your estimated start and completion date?
• What’s your warranty or replacement policy?
• Can you provide references?
• Why should I choose you over other Idaho Falls landscape design-and-build companies?

Questions for a Landscape Maintenance Company

• Are you fully licensed and insured?
• Can you provide local references?
• Exactly which services are included in your maintenance plan? What costs extra?
• How do you handle weather delays or scheduling changes?
• What’s your pricing structure?
• Do you require a long-term contract?
• What are your payment terms and methods?
• What kind of training do your technicians receive?
• What kind of cleanup will maintenance crews do before they leave my property?
• Why should I choose you over other Idaho Falls landscape maintenance companies?

How they answer your questions will tell you a lot about the company, too. Are they happy to address your concerns? Do they have a good list of reasons why you should partner with them? Do they put your mind at ease?

The best landscaping companies in Idaho Falls make you feel good about your choice.

Why Outback is the Right Choice for Landscape Maintenance & Installation in Southeast Idaho & Northwestern Wyoming

What should you look for when hiring a landscaper in Idaho Falls?

You’re reading this, so you’ve taken a great first step.

Let us make the rest of your decision easy. Here’s why partnering with Outback Landscape is the natural choice:

• We’re problem solvers. What do you need? A ho-hum backyard transformed into your family’s go-to luxury hangout spot? A new irrigation system that keeps your property green without wasting water? Dependable landscape maintenance services so your Saturdays are fun again? 

Check, check, and check. As a one-stop, full-service landscaping company, we’ll take care of all of your Southeast Idaho or Northwestern Wyoming property’s needs. You have better things to do than worry.

We live here, too. We’re your neighbors in Rexburg, Pocatello, Rigby, Victor and Idaho Falls, ID as well as Jackson Hole and Alpine, WY. We love keeping our local communities green and impressive so everybody wants to spend more time outside.

Our customers say things like this: “Outback Landscape completely changed our outdoor living space, transforming it from a nearly useless backyard to a place I can't even describe other than amazing!”

Numbers matter. We’ve been in business for more than 22 years, have more than 150 5-star reviews and have improved more than 3,000 properties.

Every new project begins with a customized landscape design. No copy-and-paste or one-size-fits-all approach here. You’re unique. So is your property. We love creating one-of-a-kind landscapes where homeowners thrive. We have the same approach to landscape maintenance. While some landscape maintenance companies use a cookie-cutter checklist, we consider every property unique, so we specialize in custom maintenance programs tailored to you.

Here at Outback, we specialize in custom, creative landscape design. But great design is only half the job. We skillfully manage all project details, including scheduling, materials, crews, and site logistics. Your Outback experience stays smooth and predictable, from your pre-construction walkthrough to reassuring milestone updates to the exciting final walkthrough and the helpful care instructions.

Chances are, you have more than one need for your outdoor space.

Should you hire one company for landscape design, installation, and maintenance? You should. Why sign up for extra hassle? Not every Idaho Falls landscaper is a full-service landscaping company. We are. Partner with us for your new landscape design, outdoor kitchen, landscape lighting, plunge pool, irrigation and ongoing landscape maintenance, all year long. Why juggle a handful of contractors? We’ll handle everything. And we’ll make it easy.

How to plan your landscape design in Idaho? Start with us.

At Outback Landscape, we have in-house landscape designers who will bring your ideas to life.

We love matching our clients with their dream landscape design plan and watching their excitement as the process unfolds.

And we make it easy, from your first meeting with our creative landscape designers right through to the excitement of installation.

We’ll talk with you about your expectations, what the project includes, the expected completion time frame, and your budget.

Then, you can seamlessly transition from your dream landscaping project to skilled, dependable professional landscape maintenance services.

Bring all your questions. You’ll love our answers.

Outback Landscape offers full-service landscape design in Idaho Falls, with installation and maintenance throughout Southeast Idaho and Wyoming.

We install beautiful, functional landscapes. But our work doesn’t stop there. We’ll stay with you for the long haul, taking care of your property through all four seasons.

We serve residential and commercial properties in Idaho Falls, Rexburg and Pocatello, Idaho, as well as Bonneville, Madison and Bannock counties and Jackson Hole, WY.

Call us at 208-656-3220, or contact us to schedule a no-obligation meeting with one of our team members. We can’t wait to hear from you.