Thinking About Hiring a Cheap Landscaping Company? Read This First.

You want a beautiful, functional backyard—maybe a new patio, a fresh lawn, or some well-placed plants that make your space feel like a retreat. You start looking for landscaping companies, and suddenly, you’re seeing a huge range of prices. One company offers to do the work for half the cost of others. It seems like a great deal. But something in the back of your mind whispers: Is this too good to be true?

We get it. Landscaping isn’t always inexpensive, and everyone wants to save money where they can. But after years of fixing botched jobs and hearing from frustrated homeowners, we can tell you: hiring the cheapest landscaping company often costs you more in the long run.

Here’s what you need to watch for—and how to make sure your investment in your yard actually lasts.

1. Cheap Materials = Short Lifespan

A lower price often means cutting corners, and one of the biggest ways this happens is with materials. If you’re getting a paver patio, a low-budget company might use thin, low-quality pavers that crack under pressure. If you’re having a lawn installed, they may use subpar sod that struggles to take root.

At first, everything might look fine. But a year later? You notice pavers shifting and cracking. Your grass is full of brown patches. Your retaining wall is starting to lean. Now, you’re paying again to have it fixed.

🔹 What to Look For: Ask the company exactly what materials they’re using. If their pricing seems significantly lower than others, ask why.

🔹Pavers from big box stores might be made by the a big name paver company that you recognize, but there is a difference. The paver companies manufacture “homeowner grade” pavers and “Professional grade” pavers. The Homeowner variety might look the same in appearance but are usually thinner and more cheaply made whereas the “Professional Grade” is thicker and more robust.

2. Poor Drainage and Grading Can Ruin Your Yard

This is a big one, especially here in the Kitsap Peninsula, where we get plenty of rain. Proper grading and drainage aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. If a landscaping crew doesn’t properly prepare the area, water will pool in the wrong places, leading to:

  • Puddles on your patio
  • Erosion in your yard
  • Water damage to your home’s foundation

Unfortunately, many budget landscapers either don’t understand drainage or don’t take the time to do it right. They lay down pavers or sod without considering where water will go, leaving you with a soggy mess after the first heavy rain.

🔹 What to Look For: Ask how they handle drainage. A professional will explain their process clearly and adjust the design based on your property’s slope and soil conditions.

3. Inexperienced or Untrained Workers

A landscaping company is only as good as the crew doing the work. Some budget landscapers hire day laborers or inexperienced workers to keep costs low. The problem? Landscaping, especially hardscaping (like patios and retaining walls), requires skill and precision.

We’ve seen paver patios installed with no edge restraints, meaning the pavers start to spread apart after a few months. We’ve seen retaining walls built without proper support, collapsing under the weight of soil and water. These are expensive mistakes to fix.

🔹 What to Look For: Ask who will be working on your project. A reputable company will have trained, experienced crew members who know what they’re doing.

🔹Ask if they provide training opportunities and what qualifications their employees have. Here at Brookside, we pride ourselves on the amount of continuing education all of our employees do staying up to date with the latest industry standards, installation techniques, and products.


4. No Insurance, No Guarantees, No Accountability

Here’s something that should make you nervous: Many low-cost landscapers operate without proper insurance or business licenses.

Why does this matter?

  • If they damage your property, you could be stuck paying for the repairs.
  • If a worker gets hurt on your property, you could be held liable.
  • If something goes wrong with the project, they may disappear without fixing it.

A professional landscaping company invests in liability insurance and stands behind their work with warranties. A fly-by-night operation? Not so much.

🔹 What to Look For: Always ask for proof of insurance, proof of bond, and check if they offer a warranty on their work. If they don’t, that’s a red flag.

5. Rushed Work Leads to Costly Problems

When you hire a budget landscaper, you’re often paying for speed over quality. Their goal is to finish as quickly as possible and move on to the next job. This can lead to:

  • Improperly compacted base layers (which cause pavers to sink and shift)
  • Thin layers of mulch or gravel (which wash away after a storm)
  • Plants that aren’t spaced correctly (leading to overcrowding, root competition, or big holes in your landscape)

Landscaping is a blend of art and science. It takes time, planning, and patience to do it right. A rushed job might look okay on the surface, but underneath, problems are waiting to appear.

🔹 What to Look For: Ask about their timeline. If they promise a complex job done in a suspiciously short time, that’s a warning sign.

6. Lack of Communication and Poor Customer Service

Ever hire a contractor who disappears for days (or weeks) without updating you? It’s frustrating. Unfortunately, many low-cost landscapers juggle too many jobs at once, leading to:

  • Missed deadlines
  • Inconsistent work schedules
  • Unanswered phone calls and emails

A good landscaping company values clear communication. They’ll keep you updated on the project’s progress, answer your questions, and show up when they say they will.

🔹 What to Look For: Read reviews and pay attention to how they communicate before you sign a contract. If they’re hard to reach now, it won’t get better once they start the job.

How to Get Quality Landscaping Without Breaking the Bank

We know price matters. But the goal isn’t just to spend less—it’s to spend wisely. Here’s how to make sure you get quality landscaping without unnecessary expenses:

  1. Get Multiple Quotes – If one company is significantly cheaper than the rest, ask why.
  2. Check Reviews & Past Work – Look for companies with consistently high ratings and real project photos.
  3. Ask About Materials & Methods – A good company will be transparent about what they’re using and why.
  4. Understand the Contract – Make sure everything is in writing, including timelines, warranties, and payment terms.
  5. Prioritize Long-Term Value – Sometimes, it’s better to wait and save up for a quality job than rush into something cheap that won’t last.

At Brookside Landscape and Design, we believe in doing things right the first time. Our focus is on long-lasting, serviceable patios, water features and landscapes that will stand the test of time here in the Kitsap Peninsula. If you’re considering a landscaping project and want expert advice, we’d love to chat—no pressure, no gimmicks, just honest guidance.

📞 Give us a call or 📩 send us a message to start the conversation. Your backyard deserves better than shortcuts.