Garden guides
How to vet a landscaper before you hire
Hiring a landscape pro is easier when you know what to check first. This guide shows simple ways to compare pros, ask clear questions, and avoid common mistakes before work starts.
Start with the basics: fit, experience, and communication
A good vetting process starts with the kind of yard work you need. Some pros focus on design-build, which means they design the project and build it too. Others do maintenance, planting, or hardscape work like patios, walks, and retaining walls.
Look for recent projects that match your yard, not just pretty photos. A pro who works often in your climate, soil, and city rules is usually easier to work with because local conditions vary a lot across the US.
Pay attention to how they communicate. Do they answer questions clearly, explain terms, and give you enough detail to compare options? If the first conversation feels rushed or confusing, that is a useful sign to slow down.
Check license, insurance, and local rules
Before you hire anyone, verify their license and insurance yourself. Ask for the company name, license number if your area requires one, and proof of general liability insurance. If workers will be on your property, ask whether they carry workers’ compensation coverage too.
Also check whether your project needs permits or utility locates. A permit is official permission from your city or county to do certain work. Utility-locates means marking buried lines before digging so crews avoid gas, electric, water, or internet lines.
Verdorra is not a contractor or legal advisor, so we cannot tell you what your local rules are. Your city, county, and utility companies are the right places to confirm those details before work begins.
Ask for a clear scope, not just a vague price
A strong proposal should explain the scope, which means the exact work included. For example: removing old plants, fixing drainage issues if needed, building a patio, adding drip irrigation, or installing new mulch and plants. Hardscape means the built parts of a yard, like stone, concrete, pavers, walls, or steps. Softscape means living parts like grass, trees, shrubs, and flowers.
Ask what is included and what is not. Good questions are: Who buys materials? Who handles cleanup? What happens if the crew finds a hidden issue? Is there a punch list, which is a short list of final items to finish or correct before the job is considered done?
Prices vary by yard size, access, material choice, season, and area. Any number you get is a range or estimate, not a promise. Confirm the design, scope, and price in writing before anyone starts.
Compare more than one option
It helps to talk with at least two or three landscape pros so you can compare approach, not just cost. One may focus on a simple cleanup and planting plan. Another may suggest a full design-build project. A third may recommend doing the work in phases, which means completing the yard in steps over time.
When you compare, look for details that match your goals. Did they listen to how you use the yard? Do they understand your budget, your language comfort, and any access limits on the property? Did they explain tradeoffs clearly, such as lower upfront cost versus more maintenance later?
If you want help finding a landscape pro, Verdorra can help you find a landscape pro for your project. It is free for homeowners, and participating pros pay a flat fee.
Red flags to watch for
Be careful if someone will not put anything in writing, will not share license or insurance information, or pressures you to decide right away. Other warning signs include vague answers, no local references, and a quote that seems far below everyone else without a clear explanation.
Also be cautious if a pro promises exact results. No one can guarantee plant survival, exact timelines, or perfect outcomes, because weather, soil, access, and maintenance all matter. A trustworthy pro will explain risks honestly and give practical options instead.
You can learn more about common project steps and what affects cost in our services and costs guides. For more plain-language help, browse our guides.
How Verdorra can help you move forward
If you are not sure where to start, Verdorra can make the first step simpler. We help you find a landscape design-build pro who may be a better fit for your yard goals, language comfort, and location.
You stay in control of the hiring decision. We do not do landscaping work, and we do not replace your own checks. You should still verify license and insurance, ask about permits and utility-locates, and get the design, scope, and price in writing before any work begins.
For many homeowners, the best process is simple: define the goal, compare a few pros, ask clear questions, and choose the one who communicates well and gives a plan you understand.
Check license, insurance, permits, and written scope first, then compare a few landscape pros and choose the one who communicates clearly and fits your yard and budget.