BYO Backyard Questions to Ask a Landscape Contractor Before You Sign
Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We have not physically tested these products. Our picks come from published specs, manufacturer documentation, and buying criteria explained above. How we make money.
The cheapest bid isn't always the best deal, and the best-sounding pitch isn't always the best contractor. These questions help you compare bids fairly and spot problems before you sign.
Licensing and insurance
- Are you licensed for this work? In Georgia, general contractors, electricians, plumbers and heating and air contractors must be licensed through the Secretary of State, while some trades such as roofers, painters and repair handymen are not state-licensed (Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division). Check a license with the Georgia Secretary of State License Lookup under Building & Contractors.
- Can you send a current certificate of insurance for general liability and workers' compensation?
- Who pulls the permits, and are permits included in the price?
Scope and materials
- Exactly what is included? Ask for a line-item scope: excavation, base material and depth, the surface material, edging, drainage, haul-away and cleanup.
- What brand and grade of materials will you use? Can I substitute?
- How will you handle drainage around the new work?
- What happens if you hit rock, roots or buried utilities? How are change orders priced and approved?
Schedule and process
- When can you start, and how long will it take on site?
- Who will be on site day to day, your crew or subcontractors?
- How do you protect lawns, driveways and irrigation during the work?
Money
- What is the payment schedule? Be cautious of large up-front deposits; tie payments to completed milestones.
- Is the quote fixed price or time-and-materials?
- What isn't included that I should budget for separately?
Warranty and follow-up
- What warranty do you offer on workmanship, and what do the material warranties cover?
- Who do I call if something settles or fails after the job?
Red flags
- No written contract or a vague one-line scope.
- Pressure to sign today for a "special price."
- Unwilling to show insurance or references.
- Asking for most of the payment before work begins.
Compare bids side by side
Put each bid on one sheet with the same rows (scope, materials, timeline, payment terms, warranty) so you are comparing like with like. Our Etsy shop has printable planning sheets to help (our own products).
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Plan it before you buy: our planners and budget spreadsheets are in our Etsy shop (our own products).
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Disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We have not physically tested these products. Our picks come from published specs, manufacturer documentation, and buying criteria explained above. How we make money.