Landscaping: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What landscaping is

Landscaping plans and builds outdoor spaces with plants, beds, edging, mulch, walkways and lighting, and prepares the soil and grade so the yard works with the sun, the drainage and how you use it. People hire a landscaper for a new yard, a redo, or a major change that a maintenance crew cannot handle.

Signs you need it

  • Water pools by the house or in the lawn after rain because the drainage is poor
  • Bare, compacted or eroding areas need to be rebuilt rather than patched
  • The yard does not match how you use it, with no seating, no path or no shade where you want them
  • Plants keep dying because the wrong ones are in the wrong sun or soil
  • You are preparing for a sale or a major outdoor project and want the yard to look finished

What the pro does

  • The landscaper surveys the yard for sun, shade, slope, drainage, soil and any features you want to keep
  • The grade is set and the soil is prepared, with amendments as needed, so water moves away from structures
  • Beds, edging and walkways are laid out, with a prepared base under any hardscape
  • Plants are chosen and set at the right depth and spacing, then mulched and watered in
  • Lighting, drip lines or other finishing work is installed, and the crew cleans up and explains the care plan

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Total area and how much of it is new work compared with existing features you keep
  • Grading, drainage and soil work needed before planting or building
  • Plant count, size and type, including any mature trees or large shrubs
  • Hardscape such as walkways, walls, patios or steps
  • Lighting, irrigation or other systems that are part of the plan
  • Slope and access for equipment, pallets and materials
  • Removal of old plants, turf, concrete or debris

What a written quote should spell out

  • A written plan or drawing showing beds, hardscape, plant locations and lighting
  • The plant list with species, sizes and quantities, and the planting method
  • The grading, drainage and soil prep, including any amendments
  • The materials, such as mulch type, edging type and base material for hardscape
  • The plant warranty and what the landscaper will replace if a plant fails
  • The phases and timing, and what you must water or maintain after the work

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you draw a plan first, and can I see past plans for yards like mine?
  • How will you handle drainage and grade so water does not pool near the house?
  • What plants will you choose for my sun and soil, and why?
  • What does the plant warranty cover, and for how long?
  • Are you licensed for the work you are proposing, such as grading or hardscape?
  • Who will be on site, and how often will you check progress?
  • How do you locate buried lines and irrigation before digging?

Red flags

  • They plant without grading or fixing drainage, so the new beds stay wet or flood
  • They recommend plants that do not suit the sun or soil and do not ask about either
  • They lay landscape fabric and mulch over soil that was never prepared
  • They will not give you a written plan or plant list before the work starts
  • They promise instant results or a plant warranty they will not put in writing

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can plan and plant simple beds, edge them and spread mulch on their own, and move healthy plants to better spots. Call a pro when the work involves grading, drainage changes, retaining walls, structures or electrical lighting, since those affect the house and often need permits and trained hands. Locate buried utilities before you dig anywhere, and call the utility locate service in your area if you are not sure what is underground.

Licenses and permits

Landscaping that includes grading, drainage, hardscape, retaining structures or electrical lighting is commonly licensed contractor work in many areas; plant installation alone is often not licensed. Check with your state or local licensing agency and your local permit office about what applies to your project.

Landscaping questions

Do I need a plan before landscaping?

Yes. A plan lets you compare bids on the same work and makes sure the design fits your sun, drainage and use. Ask the landscaper to draw one, or to walk you through a sketch that shows beds, hardscape and plant locations.

How do I choose plants that will survive?

Start with the sun and soil in each part of the yard, then pick plants that match. Ask the landscaper why each plant is in its spot and what care it needs.

Should I do the whole yard at once?

Not always. Phasing lets you spread the work over time and fix drainage first. Ask the landscaper which parts must come first and which can wait.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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