How to Choose the Right Landscape Professional for Your Home — What Every Georgia Homeowner Should Know
Your yard is one of the most valuable parts of your home. It frames your property, protects your foundation, and sets the tone for curb appeal. But when it comes to hiring a landscaping professional, many Georgia homeowners make one big mistake — they choose based on price alone.
The truth is, not all landscapers are created equal. Some focus on looks, while others (like us at Brooks Landscaping) focus on long-term function — grading, drainage, and soil health that protect your investment for years to come.
If you live in Paulding County, Dallas, Hiram, Acworth, or Kennesaw, GA, here’s how to choose the right landscaping professional for your home — and how to know when you’ve found The Dirt Doctor® difference.
1. Start with Experience That Solves Problems — Not Just Plants Flowers
A true landscaping professional understands more than surface beauty — they understand the science behind the soil.
Many homeowners make the mistake of hiring a “mow and go” contractor who can trim hedges but can’t fix the slope that’s flooding your foundation. The best landscapers are problem-solvers first, designers second.
Look for a company that can diagnose and correct:
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Standing water and poor yard drainage
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Foundation erosion or backyard washouts
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Uneven or compacted soil
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Soggy sod or grass that keeps dying
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Grading issues that direct water toward your home
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“Landscaping isn’t about covering up problems — it’s about curing them.” — The Dirt Doctor®
When your landscaper understands dirt, drainage, and design, you’ll end up with a landscape that lasts.
2. Ask About Drainage, Grading, and Erosion Control Expertise
If your landscaper doesn’t talk about drainage, you’re talking to the wrong one.
In Paulding County, where the red clay soil holds water like a sponge, drainage is the single most important part of your landscape design.
A professional landscaper should: Evaluate your yard’s slope before installing sod or hardscapes
Offer French drain installation and grading correction
Build retaining walls with built-in drainage systems
Use decorative river rock or gravel beds to improve runoff
Understand local stormwater flow and Georgia clay behavior
Brooks Landscaping specializes in exactly that — drainage that’s designed to drain, so your landscape looks great and performs even better.
“You can’t stop the rain — but you can control where it goes.” — The Dirt Doctor®
3. Choose a Landscaper Who Understands Local Soil and Climate
Georgia isn’t like other states — and Paulding County isn’t even like other parts of Georgia. Our soil is dense red clay, our summers are humid, and our storms are unpredictable.
That means the landscaper you hire needs local knowledge and practical experience.
Ask them:
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What sod types do best in my area?
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How does this soil type affect drainage?
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What are the common erosion problems in Dallas and Hiram?
At Brooks Landscaping, we’ve worked on thousands of local properties — from new developments to older homes — and we know how to design systems that perform in this unique Georgia environment.
4. Look for Real Results — Not Just Pictures
A good landscaper doesn’t just show you stock photos or one pretty project — they show you real before-and-after results.
When comparing landscape professionals, ask for:
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Local project photos
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References from other homeowners
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Proof of experience with drainage or grading projects
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Customer reviews or testimonials
You want a team that can back up their promises with proof. Brooks Landscaping prides itself on real transformations — where every puddle, rut, or erosion zone becomes a picture-perfect outdoor space.
5. Ask About the Process — Not Just the Price
Landscaping is an investment, not an expense.
If a company gives you a price without explaining the process, that’s a red flag.
A reputable landscaping professional should walk you through:
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Consultation and Diagnosis — Understanding the problem first.
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Design and Planning — Explaining grading, drainage, or sod layout.
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Implementation — Using the right materials, slope, and soil preparation.
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Aftercare — Providing watering, maintenance, and drainage guidance.
At Brooks Landscaping, we follow this structured process every time — because results that last don’t happen by accident.
6. Make Sure They’re Licensed, Insured, and Local
Your landscaper should protect more than your property — they should protect you, too.
Hiring a licensed and insured professional ensures your investment is safe and your project is compliant with Georgia standards. And when you hire local, you get faster response times, better accountability, and professionals who know how to build for your environment — not someone else’s.
Brooks Landscaping is proud to be a locally owned, Paulding County-based company, serving Georgia homeowners with integrity, reliability, and craftsmanship.
“We’re not just local — we’re your neighbors. When it rains on your yard, it rains on ours too.” — The Dirt Doctor®
7. The Brooks Landscaping Promise — Designed to Drain. Built to Last.
At Brooks Landscaping, our goal is simple:
Create landscapes that solve problems, protect homes, and add beauty that lasts.
We specialize in:
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Landscape drainage and erosion control
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Yard grading and re-sloping
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Sod installation and lawn restoration
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Retaining wall and hardscape construction
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Outdoor living design and decorative gravel work
Every project starts with a yard checkup — a complete diagnosis of your property’s soil, slope, and drainage needs — followed by a design that fits your home perfectly.
“We Make Dirt Look Good™ — but we make it work even better.” — The Dirt Doctor®
Ready to Find the Right Landscaper? Start with The Dirt Doctor®
Choosing the right landscaper shouldn’t be stressful. You just need the right team — one that listens, diagnoses, and builds with purpose.
If you’re a homeowner in Dallas, Hiram, Acworth, Kennesaw, or anywhere in Paulding County, GA, let Brooks Landscaping be your trusted partner in creating a healthy, lasting landscape.
Call or Text: 678-200-6087
Visit: www.mrtdoctor.com
We Make Dirt Look Good™ — The Dirt Doctor®
About the Author
Greg Brooks — The Dirt Doctor®
Founder of Brooks Landscaping, Greg Brooks has spent over 15 years transforming Georgia landscapes through precision grading, drainage solutions, and design that lasts. Serving Paulding County and surrounding areas, Greg and his team are known for craftsmanship, integrity, and customer education.
“Landscaping that solves problems. Designed to drain. Built to last.”



