Questions to Ask a Landscaping Company Before You Hire

Landscaping is a significant investment in your property. Whether you are considering a new planting design, a complete landscape renovation, an outdoor living space, or ongoing property maintenance, choosing the right landscape company can have a lasting impact on both the beauty and value of your home.

Before signing a contract, it is worth taking the time to ask the right landscaping questions. The answers can help you understand a company’s experience, capabilities, process, and approach—and prevent costly mismatches down the road.

It is also important to remember that landscaping is not strictly a spring and summer project. Fall is one of the best times to plan and plant. Cooler temperatures and favorable soil conditions can give trees, shrubs, and perennials an opportunity to establish their roots before the heat of summer. Fall is also an ideal time to begin planning larger projects for the following season, including landscape renovations, outdoor living spaces, and new swimming pools.

If you are considering a landscape project, here are some of the most important questions to ask a landscaper before you hire.

Questions About Experience and Credentials

One of the first things to consider is whether a landscape company has the experience and resources to handle your particular project.

Ask questions such as:

• How long have you been in business?
• What types of landscape projects do you specialize in?
• Do you have experience with projects similar to mine?
• Are your designers, horticulturalists, installation teams, and maintenance professionals in-house?
• Are you licensed and insured?
• Can you provide references or examples of completed projects?
• Have you received industry awards or professional recognition?

A company may be excellent at lawn care but not equipped to design and build a complex landscape, pool, or outdoor living project. Likewise, a landscape designer may create a beautiful plan but rely on several outside contractors to bring it to life.

For homeowners looking for a comprehensive solution, an in-house landscape team can offer significant advantages. At Scenic, landscape design, installation, maintenance, and many specialty services are coordinated under one organization. Our team includes experienced landscape designers, horticultural professionals, installation crews, and maintenance specialists, along with our sister companies, Tapestry Landscape Architecture and Tranquility Pools, for specialized design and pool services.

Scenic has also earned recognition throughout the industry for its landscape work, reflecting our commitment to thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and long-term results.

Questions About the Design Process

A successful landscape should feel like an extension of your home—not a collection of plants and materials selected from a catalog.

When evaluating a landscape company, ask:

• Do you provide landscape design services?
• Who will design my project?
• Will I work with the same design team throughout the process?
• How do you incorporate my home’s architecture and the surrounding property?
• How do you approach privacy, views, circulation, and outdoor entertaining?
• Do you provide renderings, planting plans, or other visual materials?
• How are revisions handled?

A strong design process begins with understanding how you actually want to use your property. The best landscape questions aren’t only about what you want your yard to look like; they are also about how you want it to function.

For example, do you want a private garden retreat? A pool and entertaining area? A space for outdoor dining? Low-maintenance plantings? Four-season interest?

At Scenic, our design process considers the property as a whole, allowing landscape architecture, planting design, outdoor living, and pool design to work together rather than being treated as separate projects.

Questions About Cost and Contracts

Cost is an important part of any landscape project, but the lowest estimate is not always the best value.

Be sure to ask:

• What is included in the proposal?
• Are design fees included?
• What materials and plant sizes are specified?
• Are permits included when necessary?
• How are changes or additions handled?
• What payment schedule is required?
• Are there potential costs that are not included in the initial estimate?
• Is there a written contract detailing the scope of work?

A detailed proposal should make it clear what you are paying for. If two landscape companies provide dramatically different estimates, make sure you are comparing equivalent scopes of work—not simply bottom-line prices.

It is also worth asking what happens after installation. A landscape can be beautifully designed and installed, but plants, lawns, trees, irrigation, and hardscape areas all require ongoing care to perform at their best.

Questions About Timeline

Ask your landscaper when your project can realistically begin—and how long it is expected to take.

Important questions include:

• When can work begin?
• How long should the project take?
• Are there seasonal considerations?
• Will weather affect the schedule?
• Who coordinates subcontractors and other trades?
• What happens if the project encounters an unexpected issue?
• When should we begin planning if we want the project completed by next spring or summer?

This is particularly important for larger projects.

If you are considering a new pool, outdoor kitchen, patio, or major landscape renovation for next season, fall is an excellent time to start the conversation. Design development, permitting, material selection, plant availability, scheduling, and construction coordination all take time.

Starting the process in the fall can put you in a much better position to enjoy your new outdoor space when warm weather arrives.

Questions About Plant and Material Selection

The right plants and materials should be selected for more than appearance.

Ask:

• Which plants are best suited to my property’s conditions?
• How will the landscape look throughout the seasons?
• What are the mature sizes of the plants?
• How much maintenance will they require?
• How will deer, drainage, sunlight, and soil conditions affect plant selection?
• Where are the plants and materials sourced?
• What hardscape materials do you recommend and why?
• How will the materials coordinate with my home’s architecture?

Fall is particularly valuable for planting many trees, shrubs, and perennials. Cooler temperatures and generally more favorable moisture conditions can help plants establish their root systems before the following summer.

That makes autumn an excellent opportunity not only to ask questions about landscaping, but to actually begin improving your property.

A knowledgeable landscape company should be able to explain not just what they recommend, but why it is appropriate for your property.

Questions About Ongoing Maintenance

Your landscape is a living investment. Before hiring a company, ask what happens after installation.

Some useful questions to ask your landscaper include:

• Do you offer ongoing landscape maintenance?
• Can the same company that designs and installs my landscape maintain it?
• Do you provide seasonal cleanups?
• How do you manage pruning, fertilization, and plant health?
• Do you provide lawn care?
• Do you monitor irrigation systems?
• How do you handle pests and plant diseases?
• Who should I contact if I have a concern after installation?

Having a dedicated maintenance team can make a significant difference. A company familiar with the original design and plant selections already understands the property’s goals and can identify potential problems before they become larger issues.

At Scenic, our maintenance professionals care for landscapes throughout the seasons, helping protect the investment made during the design and installation process.

Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring a Landscaping Company

Knowing what to ask is important—but knowing what to watch out for is equally valuable.

Be cautious if a landscaping company:

• Is unwilling to provide a written proposal or contract
• Cannot clearly explain what is included in the price
• Offers an unusually low estimate without explaining why
• Has little experience with projects similar to yours
• Relies heavily on unknown subcontractors without clear oversight
• Cannot provide references or examples of completed work
• Makes promises about timelines that seem unrealistic
• Does not ask questions about your property or how you plan to use it
• Pressures you to make a quick decision
• Has no clear plan for communication during the project

A professional landscape company should welcome questions. A thoughtful conversation before work begins is an opportunity for both the homeowner and contractor to make sure expectations are aligned.

Why an In-House Landscape Team Can Make a Difference

One of the most important questions to ask a landscape contractor is actually a broader one:

“Who will be responsible for bringing my entire vision together?”

A landscape project can involve many moving parts—design, planting, grading, drainage, irrigation, masonry, lighting, pools, outdoor structures, and long-term maintenance. When those services are divided among multiple unrelated companies, coordination can become the homeowner’s responsibility.

Scenic was built around a different approach.

Our team brings together landscape design, installation, horticulture, maintenance, outdoor living, and specialty services under one coordinated organization. Through Scenic and our sister companies, Tapestry Landscape Architecture and Tranquility Pools, homeowners can work with experienced professionals across the many disciplines that make up a complete outdoor environment.

That means your landscape can be considered as one cohesive property—from the initial design concept through construction and years of ongoing care.

And because the process can begin well before construction, fall is the perfect time to start planning. Whether you are thinking about adding a few new plantings, reimagining your entire property, or creating a new pool and outdoor living space for next summer, starting early gives your project the time it deserves.

Conclusion

The right landscaping company should offer more than a crew and a truck. Look for experience, thoughtful design, quality materials, clear communication, reliable project management, and a commitment to caring for your property over the long term.

The best landscaping questions are the ones that help you understand not only what a company will build, but how they will work with you throughout the process.

And if you are thinking about making improvements next year, don’t wait until spring to begin the conversation. Fall is one of the best seasons to plant—and one of the best times to plan.

From seasonal planting and landscape renovations to complete outdoor environments and new pools, planning now can help position your property for an exceptional season ahead.

FAQ

What questions should I ask before hiring a landscaper?

Start by asking about the company’s experience, credentials, design process, project timeline, pricing, materials, and maintenance services. You should also ask whether the work will be performed by in-house teams or subcontractors and request examples of similar projects.

How do I know if a landscaping company is legitimate?

Look for an established business with appropriate insurance, a track record of completed projects, professional references, clear contracts, and transparent communication. Industry awards, professional affiliations, and a portfolio of completed work can also provide helpful insight into a company’s experience and reputation.

Should I get multiple quotes before choosing a landscaper?

Getting multiple proposals can be helpful, particularly for larger projects. However, compare the scope of work, not just the final price. Different companies may specify different plant sizes, materials, services, design work, or levels of project management, which can make seemingly similar proposals very different in value.

What’s typically included in a landscaping contract?

A landscaping contract should clearly outline the scope of work, materials, plant selections, project timeline, payment schedule, responsibilities of each party, and procedures for handling changes or unexpected conditions. Larger projects may also include design fees, permits, warranties, and specific details about construction or installation.