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Landscaping Contract

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Updated April 11, 2023

A landscaping contract is a legal document that formalizes an agreement between a contractor and a client on the terms and conditions of a particular landscaping job. The contract binds both parties to certain responsibilities and outlines the scope, payment schedule, and timeline of the work.

Lawn care contract – used for regular watering, weeding, and trimming of plants within a landscape.

Table of Contents

What Should Be Included? Scope of Work Payment Location Timeline Insurance Cancellation Policy Common Landscaping Rates Licenses and Permits Sample

What Should Be Included?

1. Scope of Work

A landscaping contract should outline the scope of the work being contracted so that both the client and the contractor are clear about how much time, labor, and equipment the project will involve. In defining the scope of a job, the contractor should consider the size of the landscape, the accessibility of the property, and whether the job will require follow-up visits or regular maintenance.

2. Location

A contract should include the address of the property for which the landscaping work is being completed. Specificity here precludes the possibility of a customer expecting landscaping services at multiple properties.

3. Payment

A landscaping contract should explicitly outline the contractor’s payment policy. Will a late fee be tacked onto late payments? Should payment be provided upfront? Will payments be required at regular intervals?

It’s common for landscaping contractors to require a percentage of the final cost upfront before beginning the work and require the remainder of the payment plus material costs once the job is complete. A landscaping contract should also specify methods the client can use to pay for the service.

4. Timeline

A contract should include a project’s start and end date. If the contract sets out a schedule for regular maintenance, it should explicitly state the dates on which the service will be performed.

Because landscaping jobs often take place outside, it’s important to acknowledge that weather-related delays may occur and to outline a policy for handling them.

5. Insurance

This section of the contract outlines the extent to which the contractor is covered by insurance. Mention insurance for property damage that results from landscaping activities, as well as worker’s compensation insurance that comes into effect when landscapers are injured on the job.

6. Cancellation Policy

A landscaping contract should state what happens if either party cancels the contract. What kind of notice is required, and how should the notice be given? What are each party’s obligations if the contract is terminated?

Common Landscaping Rates

• Landscaping installation: $3,000 – $16,000
• Sod installation: $1,100 – $3,000
• Turf installation: $3,000 – $10,000
• Sprinkler installation: $1,800 – $5,200
• Tree removal: $200 – $600 per tree
• Landscape design: $50 – $100 per hour

(Source: Home Guide)

Licenses and Permits

While landscapers generally don’t need to be licensed, licensing and certification courses can expand a contractor’s chances of being hired. However, specific landscaping services will require permits from city, county, or state agencies. These include removing trees and spraying for pesticides.

Check with a local building department to understand what needs permitting, then specify in the contract who will be responsible for sourcing and paying for those permits.

Sample