Hiring a landscaping contractor for your home or business is an important decision that can greatly impact the aesthetics, functionality, and value of your property. Before starting any landscaping project, it's essential to ask potential contractors the right questions to ensure they have the experience, skills, and vision to bring your outdoor space to life.
Asking thoughtful questions upfront and doing your research is the best way to avoid disappointments, unexpected costs, and frustration down the road. You want to partner with someone who understands your needs and preferences, communicates well, and can deliver on their promises within budget. Since landscaping projects often represent significant investments of money, time, and effort, you don't want to leave anything to chance.
The questions you ask will reveal important details about a contractor's reliability, expertise, work style, and ability to meet your project goals. Being informed and proactive now can prevent headaches later on. This article will walk you through the top questions experts recommend asking any landscaping contractor before signing a contract or breaking ground. Taking the time to ask these questions upfront is a small investment that can pay off exponentially in peace of mind and satisfaction.
When interviewing potential landscape contractors, it's important to ask about their years in business, previous projects completed, types of services offered, and relevant certifications or training. This helps you evaluate their overall expertise and experience level.
Specifically, you'll want to ask:
How long have you been in the landscaping business? Look for companies with several years or more in business. This indicates they have sustainable operations.
How many landscaping projects have you completed in the past year? The number of projects completed annually shows their capacity to take on your job.
What services do you offer? Look for a full range of services like lawn care, hardscaping, irrigation, lighting, and more. This ensures they can provide comprehensive services.
What certifications do you and your staff have? Relevant certifications show investment in continuous training and expertise. Some key credentials are Certified Landscape Technician (CLT) and Certified Landscape Designer (CLD).
The contractor's responses will give you insight into their overall competence, skills, and ability to successfully complete your project. Be sure to ask for details on their experience with projects similar to yours. This helps confirm they have the necessary expertise to handle the unique needs of your property.
When hiring a landscaping contractor, it's important to verify they have the proper licenses and insurance to operate legally and protect you from liability. Specifically ask if they have:
A business license - This ensures they are registered with the state or local municipality to provide landscaping services. Licensed contractors are more likely to be legitimate, professional operations.
Liability insurance - This protects you if a worker gets injured on your property or damages your belongings. Require at least $1 million in coverage.
Workers' compensation insurance - This covers medical expenses and lost wages if a worker gets hurt on the job. Without it, you could be held liable for any injuries. Require a certificate of insurance listing you as "additionally insured."
Reputable contractors should happily provide copies of their business license, liability insurance certificate, and workers' comp certificate. Verify that they are current and the coverage amounts are adequate. Avoid any contractor who can't furnish these documents, as that's a red flag they are unlicensed or uninsured.
Proper licensing and insurance show a professional commitment to the trade. It protects you from liability and provides recourse if something goes wrong. Make sure to double check these items for any landscaping project.
One of the most important things to ask a potential landscaping contractor is if they can provide references from past clients. Specifically, you'll want to ask for 2-3 references that you can contact directly to learn about their experiences working with the contractor.
Speaking directly with past clients gives you the opportunity to find out important details about how the project went. For example, you can ask questions like:
Strong, positive responses to these types of questions are reassuring signs that the contractor will likely do a good job on your project as well.
On the other hand, if the contractor seems reluctant to provide references or the feedback from references is lackluster, then that may indicate there could be issues if you decide to move forward. The references you speak with should have only good things to say about their experience.
Checking contractor references is a quick, easy way to do some due diligence before committing to a large landscaping investment. Take the time to contact past clients and ensure you choose someone who comes highly recommended.
When hiring a landscaping contractor, it's important to understand how they charge for their services. Make sure to ask about their rates, get quotes in writing, and inquire about any possible hidden fees.
Some key questions to ask include:
Do you charge by the hour or provide a flat project rate? Hourly billing offers more flexibility but can run up costs if the project takes longer than expected. A flat rate helps lock in costs but allows less flexibility.
Do you provide free estimates? Reputable contractors should provide a detailed estimate at no cost before starting a project. Beware of giving deposits before receiving a written estimate.
What is included in your base pricing? The quote should detail all expected costs including materials, equipment rental, labor, taxes, permit fees, and cleanup.
Do you charge for travel time to and from the job site? Some contractors may bill for drive time.
Is there a minimum number of hours for a job? Even small projects may have a 2-4 hour minimum.
Do you offer discounts for multiple projects? Ask about bundle pricing for doing landscaping in both the front and back yard.
Are there additional fees for weekend or evening work? Expect to pay a premium for work done outside normal business hours.
Do you have a cancellation policy? There may be a fee if you cancel after a certain point.
When is payment due - deposits, progress payments, upon completion? Typical terms are 10-30% down with progress payments.
Do you offer payment plans? Some contractors may allow payments spread out over several months.
Getting quotes in writing from 3-4 landscapers allows you to accurately compare pricing. Watch for hidden fees and make sure every expected cost is captured upfront to avoid budget surprises down the road.
A landscaping project involves several phases from initial consultation to final inspection. Here is a typical timeline of what to expect when working with a professional landscaping contractor:
Initial Consultation
The process starts with an initial consultation where the contractor will assess your property and goals. This is the time to show pictures of desired outcomes, discuss must-haves and nice-to-haves, and walk the property together. The contractor will take measurements, notes, and photos to put together a detailed proposal.
Proposal and Contract
You'll receive a written proposal outlining the full scope of work, specific materials and plants to be used, project timeline, and itemized pricing. This is when you'll finalize project details and sign a contract. Expect to put down a deposit around 10-25% of the total project cost to secure the contractor's time.
Permits and Preparation
Permits are required for most major landscaping projects. Your contractor will file for necessary permits and handle all coordination. Preparation work such as demolition, grading, irrigation, and site prep may begin during this phase.
Installation
The fun part! This is when the bulk of construction and installation takes place like building garden beds, laying paths and patios, planting trees and shrubs, establishing lawns, and adding water features. The project manager will be onsite directing the work and available for any questions.
Inspections and Completion
Throughout the project, there will be inspections by the contractor and city officials. Once everything passes inspection and the job is complete, the property will be photographed for your records. At this stage, you'll pay any remaining balance and schedule a final walkthrough.
Maintenance and Follow-Up
Many landscape companies offer regular maintenance services to keep your property looking fresh. Follow-up care like pruning, fertilizing, weed control, and replacements under warranty may be provided for a period after completion.
Ongoing communication, prompt responses, and adherence to the timeline are expected throughout the process. Reputable contractors will partner with you from concept to enjoyment of your finished outdoor oasis.
Maintenance is an important consideration for any landscaping project. Be sure to ask your contractor about:
What maintenance services they provide. Do they handle all aspects of ongoing landscaping maintenance themselves? Or will you need to do some upkeep and maintenance on your own?
Warranties. Many contractors offer warranties on plants, trees, and other materials installed. This protects against defects and ensures replacements if something dies shortly after planting. Find out what is covered under warranty and for how long.
Responsibility for upkeep. Clarify who will be in charge of watering, pruning, weeding, mowing, fertilizing, and other regular maintenance tasks. Will the contractor provide these services for an additional fee? Or is the ongoing upkeep solely the responsibility of the homeowner after the initial installation?
Seasonal maintenance needs. Landscapes have different requirements during different seasons. Discuss what maintenance must be done at specific times of year. For example, preparing gardens for winter with mulch and pruning trees/shrubs at the right time for optimal health.
Knowing the maintenance plan ahead of time ensures your landscaping continues looking its best year after year. A reputable contractor will have clear policies about what they handle versus what you'll be responsible for.
When undertaking any landscaping project, it's important to understand what permits and codes may apply in your area. Depending on the scope of work, you may need approval from your local zoning board, permits from the town or city, or have to adhere to landscaping ordinances.
Some common things to investigate include:
Zoning regulations - Most areas have zoning laws dictating where certain plants can be placed, height restrictions, and setbacks from property lines. Your landscaper should know these and design accordingly.
Digging/excavation permits - Major digging, trenching, or grading work often requires permits. Your landscaper can file these permits and ensure inspections.
Building permits - If adding structures like decks, pergolas, or pools, building permits are likely needed. Your contractor can handle this process.
HOA/community rules - If part of a homeowner's association, make sure your plans conform to any CC&Rs or architectural guidelines.
Stormwater management - Drainage and runoff may be regulated, especially for larger projects. Proper grading, rain gardens, and drainage are important.
Tree removal - Taking down mature trees sometimes requires a permit or replacement specifications.
Noise and work hours - Most areas prohibit loud machinery during overnight hours or on weekends.
Thoroughly discussing permits and codes with your contractor ensures your project complies with local regulations and avoids any violations down the road. Check with your city planning office if unsure what rules apply.
A detailed proposal from your landscaper is essential to outline project details, costs, timelines, and other expectations. This helps prevent miscommunication down the line.
Make sure to get any proposal or contract in writing before work begins. The proposal should clearly define:
The scope of work. This includes specifics on what landscaping services will be performed, materials provided, areas to be addressed, and any exclusions.
A project timeline estimating start and completion dates. Ask how long each phase will take.
Itemized costs and payment terms. Get quotes for materials, labor, fees, taxes, permits, and any other expenses. Understand payment schedules and policies.
Contractor responsibilities. Specify who is responsible for cleanup, hauling away debris, project management, inspections, and more.
Your responsibilities as the client. This may include securing permits, clearing areas, marking underground utilities, etc.
Warranties provided on workmanship or plantings. Length and coverage details.
Communication plans. How will you be updated on progress? Who should you contact with questions or concerns?
Having all expectations mapped out clearly in the proposal reduces the chances of misunderstandings later on. It also provides documentation you can refer back to throughout the project. Before signing any proposal, review it carefully and ask questions to fill any gaps.
Hiring a professional landscaping contractor for your outdoor project is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. By asking the right questions upfront, you can gain valuable insights into a contractor's experience, skills, process, and pricing to determine if they are the right fit for your needs.
Real Landscaping is a trusted resource for connecting residents of New Zealand with local, reliable, and experienced landscapers who provide top-quality services at competitive prices. Our contractors offer a wide range of services, such as artificial grass installation, deck building, retaining walls, garden edging, irrigation systems, hydroseeding, landscape design, garden paving, and gardening services.
By focusing on important questions about a contractor's expertise, track record, licensing, insurance, references, pricing structure, typical process, maintenance services, code compliance, and detailed proposal, you can ensure a successful outcome for your outdoor project. Taking the time to have an in-depth discussion and get details in writing can help avoid frustrations down the road.
Do your due diligence to hire the best landscaping contractor for the job. An experienced pro who communicates follows best practices, and tailors their services to your property's unique needs is key to achieving your landscaping vision and getting a garden you'll love. With Real Landscaping, you can hire with confidence knowing your contractor has the qualifications and capabilities to complete your outdoor project. Check out our services and request a quote today.