Questions to Ask When Hiring a Landscape Contractor

Why Hire a Licensed Landscaper

Any construction project in your home involves investing a lot of time and money. Hiring a licensed landscape contractor will lessen the risk of shoddy workmanship. Furthermore, landscaping involves technical skill, and the build itself involves a lot of structural aspects which, if not done by a qualified, licensed professional, may pose a risk to your and your family's safety.

More importantly, without a licence, the landscaper will not be able to obtain landscaping insurance. Any landscaping work needing Council approval applications will require the landscaper licence details to complete the work.

Some types of landscaping work require a landscaper licence to be carried out in NSW.

In NSW, landscaping work involving retaining walls over 1 metre, excavation, drainage systems, and structural elements requires mandatory licensing. Unlicensed landscaping work may void your insurance coverage and leave you personally liable for structural failures or safety incidents.

How to Check for Landscaping Licence NSW

Now that you know that hiring a licensed landscape contractor is crucial, the next step is to check whether the contractor is licensed. You can check the landscape contractor's licence validity through the NSW Fair Trading Association.

Before you sign your landscaping contract, verify the contractor's licence number, class of licence, and expiry date. This simple check protects you from unlicensed operators and ensures you're working with a qualified professional. Verify the landscaper holds the correct licence class for your specific project type, as different landscaping work categories require different qualification levels under NSW Fair Trading regulations.

What Should Be Included in Your Landscaping Contract?

A comprehensive landscaping contract protects both you and the contractor by clearly documenting all project terms and obligations. Your contract should specify the exact scope of work with detailed descriptions of materials, plants, construction methods, and finishes. Include specific product brands, plant species, and material grades to prevent substitution of inferior products during construction.

Essential contract terms include project start and completion dates with provisions for weather delays, site access arrangements, working hours, and cleanup responsibilities. The contract must clearly state total project cost, payment schedule, and procedures for handling cost variations or changes to the original scope.

Your landscaping contract should address practical completion criteria, defect rectification processes, and warranty periods for different work elements. Include provisions for dispute resolution, termination rights, and consequences if either party breaches the contract terms.

Before signing, ensure the contract includes the landscaper's full licence details, insurance certificates, and contact information for project supervisors. A properly drafted landscaping contract prevents misunderstandings and provides legal protection if disputes arise during or after your landscaping project.

Who Will Supervise the Work?

If the structural landscaping job is large, the landscape contractor may get a supervisor to supervise the work. Make sure that the supervisor holds a Supervisor Certificate from NSW Fair Trading.

Ask your contractor to confirm the supervisor's name, certificate number, and qualifications before work commences. This ensures proper oversight and accountability throughout your landscaping project.

Know How Much the Work Will Cost

Before you sign the contract, make sure you discuss the cost of the project, and the other incidental costs that may arise in the course of the build. It would be better to have an itemised list in your contract instead of just one lump sum. Either way, you need to have the total cost of works clearly outlined in your contract.

Check for any 'provisional cost items,' because they may alter the total cost later on in the project. Ask questions and make sure everything is clear to you, before you sign.

Request detailed written quotes that separate materials, labour, site costs, and Council fees. This itemisation prevents disputes about cost variations and gives you clear documentation if payment disagreements arise during the landscaping project.

Understanding your total financial commitment protects you from unexpected cost blowouts and payment disputes during the landscaping project.

When Will Progress Payments be Made?

The landscaper should provide, in the landscaping contract agreement, a schedule of progress payments. These would be the 'milestone payments,' or payments for each specific stage of work, and the payment required for each.

The period, amount, and percentages should be clearly specified. Never pay large deposits or payments in advance of work completion. Your payment schedule should align with work stages, protecting you from paying for incomplete or defective work.

Under NSW legislation, deposits for residential landscaping contracts should not exceed 10% of the total contract price. Progress payments must be tied to completed work stages, not arbitrary dates or percentages.

Understanding your payment obligations and timing protects your cash flow and gives you leverage to ensure quality work at each stage.

What Happens When There is Defective Work?

The process for addressing defects should be clearly set out in the landscaping contract. This includes when to make a Defects List, when and how to notify the landscaper, and the process and time periods for the landscaper to rectify defects. It is also important for the contract to have a process on what to do should the landscaper be unable or unwilling to rectify the defect.

Your contract should specify defect notification procedures, rectification timeframes, and your rights if the landscaper fails to fix defects. Understanding these provisions before you sign protects you from costly disputes and incomplete work.

Your landscaping contract should include a defect liability period of at least 6-12 months after practical completion. This period allows defects to become apparent through seasonal weather changes and normal use of landscaped areas.

Does the Landscaper Have Proper Insurance?

Before signing your landscaping contract, verify that your landscaper holds current public liability insurance and home warranty insurance where required. Public liability insurance protects you if someone is injured or property is damaged during landscaping work on your property. For landscaping contracts exceeding specific thresholds in NSW, home warranty insurance (also called Home Building Compensation Fund insurance) is legally required and protects you if the landscaper fails to complete work, becomes insolvent, or disappears during the project.

Ask your landscaper to provide written proof of current insurance certificates before work commences. Verify the policy covers the full value of your landscaping project and check the insurer's details directly to confirm the policy is active. Without proper insurance coverage, you bear personal financial risk for accidents, injuries, or incomplete work during your landscaping project.

Your landscaping contract should clearly specify the types and amounts of insurance coverage the landscaper maintains throughout the project duration. This documentation is essential protection for your property investment and personal liability.