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Lawn Care Contract Template

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Lawn Care Contract Template

Updated November 15, 2023

A lawn care contract is a legally binding agreement between a contractor providing lawn care services and a client paying for those services. Common lawn care services include lawn mowing, watering, hedging, weeding, and clipping. The services usually occur on a scheduled basis, with the client paying a recurring weekly or monthly amount.

Table of Contents

Common Lawn Care Services

Here’s the thing about lawns and yards: they’re beautiful, but they also require a lot of work to maintain. Plants, like people, never stop growing. Lawn care is any work that makes an outdoor space look nice and well-maintained.

Lawn care professionals provide a range of services, including but not limited to:

  • Mowing lawns;
  • Trimming hedges and bushes;
  • Weeding and removing weeds;
  • Cutting overhanging tree limbs;
  • Raking leaves;
  • Removing debris;
  • Applying fertilizer;
  • Watering plants;
  • Aerating; and
  • Thatching.

How to Become a Lawn Care Professional

There are no special certifications required to become a lawn care professional, but familiarity with the machinery, fertilizers, and chemicals used in lawn maintenance is essential. One way to obtain this is by taking agriculture or horticulture courses in high school or community college. Other ways include joining an association such as the National FFA Organization and assisting or shadowing lawn care professionals on some jobs.

For professionals wanting to stand out or hone their competitive advantage, the Professional Grounds Management Society offers two certifications: Certified Grounds Manager and Certified Grounds Technician.

Eligibility for certification as a Certified Grounds Manager begins with either a bachelor’s degree in a recognized field, a two-year degree and six years of work experience, or eight years of experience. The certification process involves taking a test and being evaluated by a mentor in a range of areas, from knowledge of turf management and irrigation to familiarity with budgeting and safety standards. This certification must be renewed every three years. Anyone wanting to become a Certified Grounds Technician must have two years of experience and a high school degree.

As is the case for any freelancer or independent contractor, it’s essential for every lawn care professional to know how to operate a business – to be familiar with the basics of insurance, invoicing, accounting, and filing taxes.

Do Lawn Care Professionals Need Licenses?

The short answer is no. In order to mow, mulch, weed, trim, and haul debris, no specific licensing is required. Established companies typically offer a wider range of services and some of these, such as installing irrigation, require licenses. To determine what requires a license, check with the licensing department in the city or county in which the work will occur.

How Much Does Lawn Care Cost?

Rates will depend on a range of factors, including location, accessibility of the property, and services required. They can vary widely; for example, the cost of lawn mowing can range from $32 to $250. To get a fair idea of the pricing for lawn care in a particular area, start by sourcing three quotes from three separate lawn care businesses.

National Lawn Care Costs

  • Salary: $35,240[1]
  • Hourly: $16.94 [2]
  • Square Foot: $4-$12/square foot[3]

Tips for Creating a Lawn Care Contract

Be specific about the services being offered. Rather than referring to “maintenance” or even “weekly maintenance,” itemize the specific tasks involved, such as “weekly lawn mowing” and “pruning of various trees and shrubs every four months.”

It’s also important to be clear about payment schedules, given this kind of work typically recurs. Will the payment occur weekly? Will there be a fixed monthly fee? Also include payment terms.

Specify somewhere in the contract what types of equipment will be used. If the equipment belongs to the client, for example, the contract should indicate that the professional will be borrowing equipment and factoring this into the rate being charged. The contract should also specify the client’s obligations to maintain the equipment.

Sample Lawn Care Contract

LAWN CARE SERVICE CONTRACT

 

I. The Parties. This Delivery Driver Service Contract (“Agreement”) made [DATE] (“Effective Date”), is by and between:

Service Provider: [PROVIDER’S NAME], with a mailing address of [ADDRESS], City of [CITY], State of [STATE] (“Delivery Driver”),

AND

Client: [CLIENT’S NAME], with a mailing address of [ADDRESS], City of [CITY], State of [STATE] (“Client”),

Service Provider and Client are each referred to herein as a “Party” and, collectively, as the “Parties.”

NOW, THEREFORE, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the Client hires the Service Provider to work under the terms and conditions hereby agreed upon by the Parties:

II. Term. The term of this Agreement shall commence on [DATE] and terminate: (check one)

– At-Will: Written notice of at least [#] days’ notice.

– End Date: On [DATE].

– Other: [SPECIFY].

III. The Service. The Service Provider agrees to provide the following: (check all that apply)

– Mowing

– Edging

– Trimming Hedges and Bushes

– Mulching

– Raking and Debris Removal

– Other: [SPECIFY].

Hereinafter known as the “Service.”

Service Provider shall provide, while providing the Service, that he/she/they shall comply with the policies, standards, and regulations of the Client, including local, State, and Federal laws and to the best of their abilities.

IV. The Property. The Service shall be provided at the following address [ADDRESS], City of [CITY], State of [STATE] (“Property”).

V. Payment Amount. The Client agrees to pay the Service Provider the following compensation for the Service performed under this Agreement: (check one)

– $[AMOUNT] / Hour

– $[AMOUNT] / per Job

– Other: [DEFINE]

Hereinafter known as the “Payment Amount.”

V. Payment Method. The Client shall pay the Payment Amount: (check one)

– When Invoiced

– Daily

– Weekly

– Bi-Weekly

– Monthly

– Other: [DEFINE].

Hereinafter known as the “Payment Method.” The Payment Amount and Payment Method collectively shall be referred to as “Compensation.”

VII. Retainer. The Client is: (check one)

– To pay a retainer in the amount of $[AMOUNT] to the Service Provider as an advance on future Services to be provided (“Retainer”). (check one)

– Retainer is Refundable.

– Retainer is Non-Refundable.

– Not required to pay a retainer before the Delivery Driver is able to commence work.

VIII. Inspection of Services. Any Compensation shall be subject to the Client inspecting the completed Services of the Service Provider. If any of the Services performed by the Service Provider pursuant to this Agreement are defective or incomplete, the Client shall have the right to notify the Service Provider, at which time the Service Provider shall promptly correct such work within a reasonable time.

IX. Return of Property. Upon the termination of this Agreement, all property provided by the Client, including, but not limited to, supplies, uniforms, equipment, and any other items must be returned by the Service Provider. Failure to do so may result in a delay in any final payment made by the Client.

X. Time is of the Essence. Service Provider acknowledges that time is of the essence in regard to the performance of all Services.

XI. Confidentiality. Service Provider acknowledges and agrees that all financial and accounting records, lists of property owned by Client, including amounts paid, therefore, client and customer lists, and any other data and information related to the Client’s business is confidential (“Confidential Information”).

XII. Taxes. State and Federal income taxes, and any other obligations. In addition, Service Provider shall pay all applicable sales or use taxes on the labor provided and materials furnished or otherwise required by law in connection with the Services performed.

XIII. Independent Contractor Status. Service Provider acknowledges that he/she/they are an independent contractor and not an agent, partner, joint venture, nor an employee of the Client.

XIV. Safety. Service Provider shall, at his/her/their own expense, be solely responsible for protecting its employees, sub-Service Providers, material suppliers, and all other persons from the risk of death, injury, or bodily harm arising from or in any way related to the Services or the site where it is being performed (“Work Site”). In addition, Service Provider agrees to act in accordance with the rules and regulations administered by federal law and OSHA. Service Provider shall be solely responsible and liable for any penalties, fines, or fees incurred.

XV. Alcohol and Drugs. Service Provider agrees that the presence of alcohol and drugs are prohibited on the Work Site and while performing their Services. If the Service Provider or any of their agents, employees, or subcontractors are determined to be present or with alcohol or drugs in their possession, this Agreement shall terminate immediately.

XVII. Default. In the event of default under this Agreement, the defaulted Party shall reimburse the non-defaulting Party or Parties for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the non-defaulting Party or Parties in connection with the default, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees.

XVIII. No Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a continuing waiver, and no waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the Party making the waiver.

XIX. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws in the State the Property is located.

XX. Severability. If any term, covenant, condition, or provision of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the remainder of the provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired, or invalidated.

XXI. Additional Terms & Conditions. [LIST]

XXII. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties to its subject matter and supersedes all prior contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings of the Parties. No supplement, modification, or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all Parties.

Client’s Signature _______________________ Date ____________

Print Name _______________________

Service Provider’s Signature _______________________ Date ____________

Print Name _______________________

Sources

  1. BLS
  2. BLS
  3. HomeGuide