Landscaping covers a wide range of trades: mowing services, design-build firms, irrigation specialists, hardscape crews, sod installers and synthetic turf companies. The right contractor for a weekly mow is rarely the right one for regrading a yard and installing irrigation. The first job is matching the contractor to the work.
Write the Scope Before You Call Anyone
A one-page scope makes bids comparable and conversations faster. It does not need to be technical. Include:
- Area. Approximate square footage and a rough sketch with the house, trees, beds and slopes.
- Surface. Sod, seed, synthetic turf or planting, or say you want advice on which.
- Site conditions. Sun hours, drainage problems, soil if you know it, access for equipment.
- Water. Existing sprinklers, local watering rules and any rebate program you plan to use.
- Use. Kids, dogs, sports or mainly looks.
- Timing. When you want it done and any dates that matter.
If you are still deciding between surfaces, read natural grass vs artificial turf first.
Check Licenses and Insurance
Licensing for landscape work is set by states and sometimes cities, and it varies a lot. Some states require a landscape contractor license above a certain job value. Some license irrigation work separately; Texas, for example, requires irrigation work to be done by a licensed irrigator. Applying pesticides or herbicides for hire typically requires a state applicator license. Backflow testing is often done by certified testers. Check with your state contractor licensing board and your local building department for what your project needs.
Ask for the certificate of insurance to be emailed to you directly by the contractor's insurance agent, with you named as certificate holder. A photocopy handed over on site can be out of date.
Then look at the work itself. Ask for addresses or photos of recent jobs similar to yours, and if possible, jobs that are a year or more old. Turf and planting show their quality over time, not on install day.
Comparing Quotes Fairly
Two quotes for the same yard can differ widely and both be honest, because they are quoting different work. Line them up item by item.
| Item | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Removal | Is old turf removed and hauled, or covered over? |
| Soil or base | What amendments, or what base material, depth and compaction? |
| Grading | Is grade corrected, and to what fall away from the house? |
| Surface | Which grass variety or which turf product and infill? |
| Irrigation | What gets adjusted, capped, added or converted to drip? |
| Aftercare | Is there a written watering or care plan and a follow-up visit? |
| Warranty | What is covered, for how long, and under what conditions? |
A much lower bid often leaves out removal, base depth or grading. Ask, in writing, what the difference is.
What the Contract Should Say
Before you sign, the contract should describe the work in the same detail as the quote, with the contractor's legal business name and license number where your state requires one. Look for start and completion dates, a payment schedule tied to finished stages, who handles permits and utility locates, cleanup and disposal, how changes are priced and approved, and warranty terms. Some states set specific requirements for home improvement contracts, such as cancellation rights or deposit limits.
Red Flags When Hiring
Filter the list below to the warning signs that matter most to you. Each one is worth a direct question.
Cash only, large deposit up front
A deposit for materials is normal. Pressure to pay most of the price in cash before work starts is not.
No license number or insurance certificate
If your state requires a license for the work, a contractor without one may leave you with no recourse if something goes wrong.
Verbal quote with no written scope
Without a written scope you cannot compare bids or hold anyone to a base depth, grass type or cleanup.
Skipping the utility locate
Anyone digging should arrange an 811 locate first. A crew that shrugs it off is taking risks with your lines and their safety.
Leftover materials and a deadline today
Door-to-door offers using leftover sod or turf from a nearby job, with pressure to decide immediately, are a well-known pattern.
Laying sod over old grass
A shortcut that saves a day and often costs the lawn. Ask how old turf will be removed.
No mention of irrigation changes
New turf, new planting or synthetic turf almost always means sprinkler changes. A quote that ignores them is incomplete.
When you have a scope ready, the project inquiry form is a good place to send it.
Questions People Ask
Do landscapers need a license?
It depends on the state and sometimes the city. Some states license landscape contractors, some license irrigation work separately, and pesticide or herbicide application usually requires a state applicator license. Your state contractor licensing board can tell you what applies to your project.
How many quotes should I get?
Three is a common rule of thumb. More important than the number is that each bidder quotes the same written scope so the prices are comparable.
How do I check a contractor license?
Most state licensing boards have a free online lookup by name or license number. Check that the license is active, matches the business name on the quote and covers the type of work.
What insurance should a landscaper carry?
At minimum, general liability insurance, and workers compensation if they have employees, as required by your state. Ask for a certificate of insurance sent directly from their insurer or agent.
Is a large deposit a red flag?
A deposit to order materials is normal. A demand for most or all of the price before work starts deserves caution; some states cap deposits on home improvement contracts. Tie later payments to finished stages.
Should the contract mention a warranty?
Yes. Ask what is covered for plants, sod, synthetic turf and irrigation, for how long, and what the owner has to do, such as following a watering schedule, to keep the coverage valid.