How to Hire a Landscaper: What to Know Before You Hire

Hiring a landscaper for the first time — or replacing one who didn’t work out — is more nuanced than it looks. Landscaping ranges from weekly lawn maintenance ($60-150/visit) to full landscape design and installation ($5,000-50,000+ for major projects). Matching the right contractor to the right scope is the first step. Here’s how to do it right.

Step 1: Define Your Scope Before Contacting Anyone

Landscapers do very different things. Know which you need before reaching out:

Lawn maintenance (recurring): Weekly or bi-weekly mowing, edging, and blowing. May include seasonal fertilization, weed control, and aeration. Pricing: $60-200/visit depending on yard size and included services.

Landscape installation/design: New planting beds, sod installation, tree/shrub installation, hardscape (pavers, walkways), drainage. One-time projects, often $2,000-30,000+.

Irrigation installation or repair: Some landscapers include irrigation; others subcontract it or don’t offer it. See our sprinkler repair guide if irrigation is your primary need.

Seasonal services: Mulch installation, seasonal color planting, holiday lighting installation, fall cleanup.

Tree work: Many landscapers do basic trimming, but significant tree work (large trees, removal, health assessment) typically requires an arborist or tree service — separate specialty.

Knowing your scope allows you to contact the right type of pro and get comparable quotes.

Step 2: Know the Licensing Landscape in Texas

Texas landscaping licensing varies by what’s included:

• Lawn maintenance only: No state license required for mowing/maintenance
• Pesticide/herbicide application: Texas requires a Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (TDA) for anyone applying pesticides for hire — this includes weed control treatments, not just insecticide spraying. Verify any provider doing chemical applications has this license.
• Irrigation installation/backflow testing: Requires TCEQ Irrigation License — verify separately if your scope includes irrigation
• Tree work: ISA Certified Arborist certification (voluntary but meaningful) for significant tree work

Ask any landscaper for proof of license if they’re applying chemicals or doing significant tree work. For mowing/maintenance, licensing is less of a concern.

Step 3: Verify Insurance

This is non-negotiable for any significant landscape work:

General liability: Required for damage to your property during work (broken windows, vehicle damage, damaged irrigation heads). Minimum $1M per occurrence is appropriate.

Workers’ compensation: If the crew has employees (not just the owner), workers’ comp protects you if a worker is injured on your property. Texas workers’ comp is non-mandatory for employers, which means some smaller landscaping operations operate without it. If someone working on your property is injured without workers’ comp, you may have liability exposure. Ask specifically.

Request a certificate of insurance — any legitimate landscaping company can produce one immediately. If they can’t or won’t, that’s a disqualifier.

Step 4: Get Multiple Quotes

For recurring maintenance, get 2-3 quotes. Prices vary 40-70% for the same scope in the same zip code. Know what’s included:

• Mowing, edging, blowing — included or à la carte?
• Bed maintenance (weeding, trimming shrubs) — included or separate?
• Seasonal fertilization — included or additional?
• Mulch refresh — separate service?

For installation/design projects, get at least 3 quotes. Landscaping projects have significant scope interpretation variability — make sure you’re comparing the same plants, materials, and installation specifications.

Step 5: Check Reviews Carefully

For recurring maintenance especially, consistency matters more than anything. Look for reviews that mention:

• Showing up reliably on schedule
• Attention to detail (edging clean, beds tidy)
• Communication when issues arise or visits are skipped
• Responsiveness to requests

One-off complaints about a single bad visit may be noise. Patterns in reviews (always early to cancel in rain, never edge properly) are signals.

Step 6: Ask the Right Questions

Before hiring, ask:

1. What’s included in the base rate, and what’s additional?
2. What happens if it rains on my scheduled day?
3. Will the same crew service my property regularly?
4. How do you handle property damage if it occurs?
5. Are you licensed for pesticide applications (if applicable)?
6. What’s your cancellation policy for the service agreement?

Finding a Landscaper You Can Trust

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I pay for weekly lawn maintenance in Texas?

For a typical Texas suburban yard (5,000-8,000 sq ft), weekly professional mowing, edging, and cleanup runs $60-100/visit in most Texas markets. Larger properties ($10,000+ sq ft) run $100-175+. Houston metro pricing tends slightly higher than DFW and San Antonio. Some contractors price by the year rather than per-visit — divide the annual price by 26 or 30 visits (depending on your agreement structure) to compare effectively.

Should I hire a separate company for lawn maintenance vs. landscape design?

Often, yes. The skill sets are different — a company that does excellent weekly maintenance may not be skilled at creative landscape design, and vice versa. Large full-service landscaping companies do both, but they typically charge premium rates. For most homeowners, a reliable maintenance crew (local, small operation) plus a separate landscape designer for project work provides better value.

How do I handle a landscaper who keeps missing scheduled visits?

Set clear expectations in writing at the start of the service relationship: scheduled day, what happens if weather prevents service (make-up day within X days), and how to notify you of any changes. If missed visits happen repeatedly without communication, address it directly and in writing. If the problem persists, termination of the agreement is appropriate — reliability is the primary service you’re paying for.

What questions should I ask before a major landscaping project?

Get detailed answers on: who is doing the actual installation (owner? subcontractors?), what plant species are being installed and their watering requirements, what warranty applies to plants (if any — typically 30-90 days if installer-sourced), timeline for completion, what disruption to expect, and what ongoing maintenance the new landscape will require. A good landscape contractor walks you through post-installation care expectations.

Is House Escort a good platform to find landscapers?

Yes — House Escort connects homeowners with vetted local landscaping professionals at no cost to the homeowner. Pros on House Escort keep 100% of what they earn — no commission to the platform — which means pros have incentive to compete on quality rather than cutting corners to offset platform fees. Browse landscaping pros in your area and connect directly at houseescort.com.