Quick answer
Look for a landscaper who has built xeriscapes in your climate, can name local native plants, understands drip irrigation and has photos of established projects — not just fresh installs. Get two quotes with the turf removal, soil, drip and plants priced separately.
Why local matters more here
A xeriscape is a plant palette matched to a climate. A contractor who builds beautiful low-water gardens in Phoenix may fail in Portland, and vice versa. The principles travel; the plants do not.
Look for:
- Projects within 50 miles and at least two years old.
- A plant list that names species, not just “drought tolerant.”
- Experience with drip irrigation and smart controllers.
- Knowledge of your soil: clay, sand, caliche, decomposed granite.
- Familiarity with local water rebates and restrictions.
Where to look
- Your water district. Many publish approved xeriscape designers or rebate program contractors.
- State extension service. Some maintain lists of recommended landscapers or native-plant resources.
- Local native-plant nursery. Staff usually know who buys real natives and installs them well.
- Botanical garden or conservation group. Their member directories are small but high-signal.
- The directory on this site. Start with landscapers by state, then filter for design and xeriscaping tags.
What to ask
Which plants for which zone?
A real xeriscape designer will describe an oasis zone, a transition zone and an arid zone, and name plants for each. If every plant is “drought tolerant,” the design is not finished.
How do you test infiltration?
The answer should involve a hole, water and time. If the soil cannot absorb the runoff, the design needs an underdrain or a different location.
How will the irrigation work?
Drip, separate valves, a filter and pressure regulator, a smart controller. Ask how the schedule changes between establishment and maturity.
What happens in the first summer?
New plants need water. Ask how many visits are included, who adjusts the schedule, and what the plant warranty covers.
Can I phase it?
A good contractor will phase turf removal, structure, planting and irrigation. A company that will only quote the whole yard at once may be selling a package.
Comparing quotes
Ask for four separate lines:
- Turf removal and disposal.
- Soil amendment and mulch.
- Irrigation conversion.
- Plants and installation.
Then compare plant counts and sizes, not just the total. A quote with 40 one-gallon plants and one with 12 five-gallon plants are different landscapes.
Red flags
- A design that is mostly gravel and plastic fabric.
- No plant list, or a list of plants that are not hardy in your zone.
- Spray irrigation on a xeriscape.
- No mention of soil or infiltration.
- A warranty that excludes “improper watering” with no guidance on watering.
- A price that assumes you will remove the turf yourself without saying so.
A note on rebates
If your water district offers a turf-removal rebate, get approval before removing the lawn. Most programs require a pre-inspection, a minimum area, a permeable replacement and a post-inspection. The rebate rarely covers the full conversion, but it changes the math.
Next: xeriscaping cost · design guide.
FAQ
How do I find a xeriscape contractor?
Start with your state extension service or water district's list of qualified landscapers, then check local nursery referrals and the state contractor licence database. Ask for projects at least two years old so you can see how the planting filled in.
What should I ask a xeriscape installer?
Which plants they use for each hydrozone, how they test infiltration, how they convert or replace irrigation, what happens if a plant dies, and whether they will phase the work. Ask to see an established project, not just a new one.
Is xeriscaping more expensive to hire?
Usually similar to conventional landscaping, sometimes a little more because turf removal and drip are added. The labour is comparable; the materials and plant sourcing differ.