Quick answer
Ask who is on site, what is excluded, how change orders are priced, who pulls permits, what the plant warranty covers and what happens if weather delays the schedule. The answers reveal more than any portfolio.
Ask these before the number
1. Who will actually be on site?
The salesperson may not be the crew leader. Ask who supervises, how many workers, whether they are employees or subcontractors, and whether the same crew will finish the job.
2. How many projects like mine did you complete last year?
A company that builds patios weekly is a different risk from one that mostly mows. Ask for two recent examples and visit them.
3. What is excluded?
Permits, rock, tree removal, electrical, irrigation repair, disposal, sales tax. Get the exclusions in writing. This is the single most useful question.
4. How do you price change orders?
A rate per hour, a markup on materials, or a fixed price before work. “We’ll sort it out” is not an answer. Ask for the change-order clause in the contract.
5. Who pulls the permits?
Walls, grading, electrical and some irrigation connections require permits. If the homeowner pulls them, the homeowner owns the inspection risk. Decide deliberately.
6. What is the plant warranty?
One season is common; some companies offer a year with a maintenance contract. Ask what voids it — improper watering is the usual exclusion — and who pays for labor versus the plant.
7. What happens if it rains for a week?
A schedule with no weather clause is a promise the company cannot keep. Ask how delays are communicated and whether the completion date moves.
8. How do you handle utilities and roots?
Call 811 before digging. Ask how they protect existing trees, and whether they will remove roots or work around them. Root cutting can kill a mature tree.
9. What soil prep is included?
Compost depth, topsoil volume, aeration, drainage. “We’ll plant in the existing soil” is a choice, not a detail. Ask whether they test drainage before planting a wet spot.
10. What is the payment schedule?
Deposit, progress payments, final payment. A 30% deposit is common; 50% before materials arrive is not. Hold final payment until the punch list is complete.
11. Can I see the irrigation design?
Zones, head types, controller, backflow and coverage. Ask for a plan, not a promise. A system that sprays the house and misses the beds is expensive to fix.
12. What would you do differently on this site?
The answer separates a company that has thought about your yard from one that is selling a package. Listen for drainage, access, sun exposure and plant selection.
Questions to ask yourself
- Did they measure, or eyeball?
- Did they listen to the brief, or pitch a standard package?
- Did they explain trade-offs, or promise everything?
- Did the references sound like real people?
- Would I be comfortable calling this company back for a problem?
After the answers
Put the scope, exclusions, schedule, payment terms and warranty in the contract. A verbal promise is not a warranty. If a company will not put it in writing, believe that.
Next: contract checklist · how to choose.
FAQ
What is the most important question to ask a landscaper?
What is excluded? Every quote has boundaries, and the exclusions are where budgets break. Ask for them in writing alongside the scope.
Should I ask for a detailed breakdown?
Yes. You do not need every labor hour, but you need square footage, plant sizes, soil volumes, hardscape dimensions and irrigation zones. A breakdown is what makes comparison possible.
How do I check a landscaper's insurance?
Ask for a certificate of insurance showing general liability and workers' compensation, then call the insurer listed on the certificate to confirm it is current. For large projects, ask to be named as additional insured.