How to Choose a Landscaping Company

Choosing a landscaping company is not simply about finding someone who can lay paving, build walls or plant a garden.

For a substantial garden transformation, the company may be responsible for:

• Excavation

• Drainage

• Levels

• Retaining walls

• Paving

• Steps

• Structures

• Lighting infrastructure

• Planting

• Trees

• Site management

• Coordination of specialist trades.

The landscaping contractor can therefore have a major influence on:

• Build quality

• Programme

• Budget

• Communication

• Long-term performance of the garden.

The most suitable landscaping company is not automatically:

the cheapest

the earliest available

the one with the biggest social media following.

A better approach is to assess:

quality + experience + organisation + technical competence + documentation + communication.

Kirman Design provides professional garden design and landscape construction throughout North West England, including Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and the Ribble Valley.

What Should I Look for in a Landscaping Company?

Before appointing a landscaper, consider:

• Relevant experience

• Quality of previous work

• Testimonials or references

• Appropriate insurance

• Clear written quotations

• Proper contracts

• Payment structure

• Technical understanding

• Communication

• Site management

• Guarantees or warranties

• Professionalism.

You are trying to determine whether the company can deliver your particular project, not whether they can simply produce an attractive portfolio.

Start With the Type of Landscaping Project You Have

Different contractors may be suited to different types of work.

A company experienced in:

• Small patios

• Fencing

• Maintenance

may not necessarily be the right choice for a complex garden requiring:

• Major excavation

• Retaining walls

• Drainage

• Outdoor kitchens

• Bespoke structures

• Large specimen trees.

Likewise, a large landscape contractor may be unnecessary for a very small project.

Start by defining the scope.

Do You Need Garden Design Before Choosing a Landscaper?

For a simple project, perhaps not.

For a substantial garden transformation, it is usually useful to have the design developed before asking contractors to price the work.

Otherwise, each landscaper may be quoting a different interpretation of the garden.

Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains how professional drawings can create a clearer basis for pricing and construction.

Design First, Quote Second

A common problem is asking several landscapers:

“How much would it cost to redo my garden?”

when there is no agreed design.

One contractor imagines:

• A modest patio

• Simple planting

• Minimal drainage.

Another imagines:

• Premium paving

• Larger terraces

• Significant groundworks

• Mature trees.

The quotations are then impossible to compare meaningfully.

A properly developed scheme gives each contractor a clearer brief.

Consider Design and Build

Some clients prefer to use one company for both:

• Garden design

• Landscape construction.

Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores the advantages of integrating both stages.

This can make it easier to coordinate:

• Design intent

• Materials

• Levels

• Construction details

• Planting.

Design Only

Alternatively, you may wish to commission the design separately and tender the construction.

Our Garden Design Only Service page explores this approach.

Both models can work well.

The important thing is clarity about who is responsible for:

• Design

• Drawings

• Pricing

• Construction.

Look for Relevant Experience

Ask whether the landscaping company has completed projects similar to yours.

Relevant experience may involve:

• Similar project size

• Similar budget

• Similar materials

• Similar site conditions

• Similar construction complexity.

A contractor does not necessarily need to have built your exact garden style before.

But they should understand the type of work involved.

Large Garden Experience

Large gardens can require:

• Extensive groundworks

• Machinery

• Material storage

• Multiple work areas

• Longer programmes.

Our Large Gardens page explores why substantial landscapes require stronger masterplanning and construction management.

Sloping Garden Experience

If the garden slopes, look for experience with:

• Terracing

• Retaining walls

• Steps

• Drainage

• Cut and fill.

Our Sloping Gardens and Landscaping a Steep Garden pages explore why these sites can be technically demanding.

New-Build Garden Experience

New-build gardens can present particular problems such as:

• Compacted ground

• Poor soil

• Drainage issues

• Awkward levels

• Overlooking.

Our New-Build Gardens page explores these challenges in more detail.

Period and Listed Property Experience

Older properties can require a more sensitive approach to:

• Materials

• Boundaries

• Existing structures

• Planning constraints.

Our Garden Design for Period Properties and Garden Design for Listed Buildings pages explore these issues.

Review the Landscaping Portfolio Properly

Do not simply ask:

“Do I like the photographs?”

Look more critically.

Check:

• Paving cuts

• Step alignment

• Junctions

• Edging

• Wall finishes

• Drainage details

• Planting quality

• Overall layout.

A garden can photograph well while still containing poor construction details.

Look at Complete Gardens, Not Just Details

Close-up images can demonstrate craftsmanship, but they do not show whether the whole garden works.

Try to assess:

• Relationship with the house

• Proportion of patios

• Path layout

• Planting balance

• Privacy

• Circulation.

A landscaping company should be able to demonstrate both technical detail and complete-project thinking.

Ask to See Older Work

This can be particularly revealing.

Fresh landscaping naturally tends to look clean.

Older work can show how well the construction has performed over time.

Look for:

• Settlement

• Movement

• Drainage

• Plant establishment

• General durability.

Read Reviews Carefully

Online reviews can be useful.

But do not look only at the star rating.

Read what clients actually say about:

• Communication

• Reliability

• Site organisation

• Problem solving

• Quality

• Aftercare.

A hundred short comments saying:

“Great job!”

may tell you less than a smaller number of detailed reviews.

Look at How Problems Were Handled

No substantial construction project is completely immune from complications.

The important question is not whether a landscaping company has ever encountered a problem.

It is how it responded.

Look for evidence of:

• Communication

• Responsibility

• Resolution.

Ask for References

For a significant project, you may wish to speak directly with previous clients.

Useful questions include:

• Did the final cost broadly reflect expectations?

• Were variations explained?

• Did the team turn up reliably?

• Was the site organised?

• Was communication clear?

• Were defects dealt with?

• Would you use them again?

Check How Long the Company Has Been Trading

Business longevity can provide some reassurance.

It may suggest:

• Experience

• Established systems

• Ongoing reputation.

But do not rely on age alone.

A long-established company can still produce poor work, while a newer company may be excellent.

Use it as one factor among many.

Ask Who Will Actually Be on Site

The person who sells the project may not be the person managing it.

Ask:

• Who will run the site?

• Who will supervise the team?

• Who is my main contact?

• Who makes technical decisions?

This is especially important for larger projects.

In-House Team or Subcontractors?

Both models can work.

The important issue is transparency.

Ask:

• Which work is carried out in-house?

• Which work is subcontracted?

• Who manages subcontractors?

• Who remains contractually responsible?

Specialist trades such as:

• Electrical work

• Structural engineering

• Gas

• Plumbing

may appropriately be handled by specialists.

Check Professional Memberships

Membership of recognised professional organisations can provide an additional indication of:

• Industry involvement

• Standards

• Professional commitment.

However, membership should support rather than replace checks on:

• Actual work

• Insurance

• Contracts

• Communication

• References.

Check Awards Carefully

Awards can provide useful external recognition.

But they should not be the sole reason for appointing a contractor.

Ask:

• What was the award for?

• Was it for design, construction or business performance?

• Is the team delivering your project the same team represented by the award?

Awards are evidence, not a guarantee.

Does the Landscaper Have Appropriate Insurance?

Ask.

Relevant cover may include:

• Public liability insurance

• Employers' liability insurance where required

• Other appropriate business insurance.

Do not simply accept:

“We're fully insured.”

Ask what the cover actually includes.

Ask to See Evidence of Insurance

For a substantial contract, it is reasonable to request evidence of:

• Current policy

• Relevant cover

• Correct business name.

This is a basic commercial check.

Check Whether They Understand Health and Safety

Landscaping can involve:

• Excavation

• Machinery

• Cutting equipment

• Electrical work

• Heavy materials.

A professional contractor should demonstrate an organised approach to site safety.

You do not need to become a health-and-safety inspector.

But the site should not appear chaotic.

Ask for a Proper Written Quotation

A professional quotation should provide enough information to understand:

• What is included

• What is excluded

• Materials

• Labour

• Provisional sums

• VAT where applicable

• Payment terms.

A one-line quote saying:

“Landscape garden — £45,000”

gives very little protection to either party.

Compare Scope, Not Just Price

Two landscaping quotes may differ because they include different work.

One might include:

• Full excavation

• Drainage

• Premium paving

• Large plants

• Waste removal.

Another may exclude several of those items.

Compare like with like.

Our Questions to Ask a Landscaper page contains a detailed checklist for interrogating quotations and construction scope.

Understand Fixed Quotes and Estimates

Ask whether the price is:

• Fixed quotation

• Estimate

• Budget figure.

They are not the same thing.

If significant elements cannot yet be accurately priced, ask why.

Look for Provisional Sums

Provisional sums are allowances for work that cannot yet be priced precisely.

They may be perfectly reasonable.

But a quotation containing many large provisional sums gives less certainty.

Ask:

• Which items are provisional?

• How will final costs be established?

• What happens if the real cost is higher?

Check the Specification

A quotation should ideally identify enough detail to understand the proposed standard.

For example, rather than:

“Paving”

it may specify:

• Product

• Format

• Quantity

• Installation scope.

Similarly, rather than:

“Plants”

it should ideally define:

• Planting plan

• Sizes

• Quantities

• Specification.

Look Closely at Groundworks

Groundworks are often less visible than:

• Paving

• Plants

• Furniture.

But they can have a greater effect on long-term performance.

Ask what is included for:

• Excavation

• Sub-base

• Compaction

• Drainage

• Soil preparation

• Waste removal.

Our Garden Groundworks page explores why what happens beneath the finished surface matters so much.

Ask About Drainage

Drainage should not be treated as a minor afterthought.

Ask:

• Where will surface water go?

• How will patios drain?

• Are land drains required?

• How will waterlogging be addressed?

Our Garden Drainage page explores the subject in more detail.

Clay Soil Experience Matters

Many gardens across North West England have heavy clay.

Ask how this affects:

• Excavation

• Drainage

• Lawns

• Planting

• Sub-bases.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores these issues.

Ask About Patio Construction

If a large proportion of your budget is being spent on paving, understand the construction method.

Ask about:

• Excavation

• Sub-base

• Bedding

• Falls

• Joints

• Edges.

The quality of the finished paving depends heavily on what is beneath it.

Ask About Paving Detail

Look carefully at:

• Cuts

• Alignment

• Edges

• Drainage channels

• Manhole covers

• Step details.

Small construction details often distinguish average work from excellent work.

Paving Outside Bifold Doors

If the patio sits outside large glazed doors, ask how the contractor will manage:

• Levels

• Thresholds

• Drainage

• Alignment.

Our Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors page explores this relationship.

Ask About Level Access

Where step-free access is required, the landscaper needs to understand the agreed:

• Levels

• Falls

• Threshold drainage.

Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores this in more detail.

Accessible Gardens Need Accurate Construction

Where a garden has been designed for accessibility, seemingly small changes on site can undermine the design.

Our Accessible Garden Design and Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design pages explore these requirements.

Ask About Retaining Walls

If retaining walls are required, ask:

• What will they retain?

• How will drainage behind them work?

• What construction is proposed?

• Is engineering input required?

Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores their role in more detail.

Ask About Garden Steps

Steps need to be:

• Correctly positioned

• Properly set out

• Integrated with levels.

Our Garden Steps page explores the design side.

Ask how the contractor will translate the drawing into the built garden.

Ask About Outdoor Kitchens

If the project includes an outdoor kitchen, establish:

• Who supplies it?

• Who installs it?

• What foundation does it need?

• Who provides electrical services?

• Who provides plumbing?

• Who coordinates everything?

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores why these features should be integrated from the start.

Ask About Pergolas

Ask:

• Who supplies it?

• Who installs it?

• Are foundations included?

• Is lighting incorporated?

• Have final dimensions been confirmed?

The timing of a pergola installation can affect:

• Paving

• Foundations

• Electrical work.

Ask About Garden Lighting

Lighting infrastructure should usually be coordinated before the hard landscaping is complete.

Ask:

• Who supplies the fittings?

• Who installs the electrics?

• When are cables installed?

• Who commissions the system?

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores the design approach.

Ask About Water Features

If the garden contains a water feature, clarify:

• Construction

• Electrical requirements

• Pumps

• Access

• Maintenance.

Our Garden Water Feature Ideas page explores different design approaches.

Ask About Planting

If planting forms part of the landscaping package, establish:

• Who designed it?

• Who supplies the plants?

• What sizes are included?

• Are quantities specified?

• Is soil preparation included?

Good planting should not be a vague allowance at the end of the quote.

Ask About Specimen Trees

If large trees are included, ask:

• Species

• Size

• Form

• Root type

• Delivery method

• Planting method

• Staking or anchoring.

Large specimen trees can represent a significant part of the planting budget.

Check Plant Quality

Ask how plant quality is assessed.

Plants should be:

• Correctly specified

• Healthy

• Appropriate to the design.

The cheapest plant supply is not necessarily the best value.

Ask About Plant Guarantees

If the contractor provides a plant guarantee, understand:

• Duration

• Conditions

• Exclusions.

It may depend on:

• Watering

• Maintenance

• Irrigation.

Ask About Irrigation

For larger planting schemes, ask whether irrigation is:

• Included

• Recommended

• Optional.

Also establish:

• Who installs it?

• How it is controlled?

• What maintenance is required?

Understand the Payment Schedule

Ask for the entire payment structure before signing.

Possible stages might include:

• Deposit

• Interim payments

• Final payment.

You should know what each payment relates to.

Be Cautious About Large Unexplained Upfront Payments

Some advance payment may be justified for:

• Securing the programme

• Ordering bespoke materials

• Purchasing large plants.

But the contractor should explain clearly:

• What is being paid

• Why

• When.

Ask for a Written Contract

For a substantial landscape project, clear contractual documentation is extremely important.

The agreement should address:

• Scope

• Price

• Payments

• Programme

• Variations

• Responsibilities

• Completion.

A proper contract protects both sides.

Check the Variation Process

This is critical.

If you change:

• Paving

• Patio size

• Planting

• Lighting

after work begins, the variation may affect both cost and programme.

Ask that variations are:

• Explained

• Priced

• Agreed

before additional work proceeds wherever reasonably possible.

Ask How Unexpected Ground Conditions Are Handled

Landscaping frequently exposes:

• Buried concrete

• Rubble

• Old foundations

• Poor soil

• Unknown drainage.

Ask:

• Who decides what action is required?

• How is extra work priced?

• Do you receive approval before it is undertaken?

Check the Programme

Ask:

• When will work start?

• How long is it expected to take?

• What might delay it?

Avoid focusing only on the start date.

A contractor who can start tomorrow is not necessarily better than one who is booked ahead.

Landscaping Lead Times

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores why reputable landscape contractors may need to be booked months ahead for larger projects.

Ask Whether the Team Stays on Your Project

Some contractors move teams between projects.

Ask whether work will generally continue until completion or whether gaps are anticipated.

There may be legitimate reasons for interruptions, such as:

• Specialist trades

• Material lead times

• Weather.

The issue is whether the programme is transparent.

Ask How Weather Delays Are Handled

Landscaping is weather-dependent.

Heavy rain, frost and extreme conditions may affect:

• Excavation

• Paving

• Planting.

A good contractor should give you a realistic answer rather than promising that weather never causes delays.

Ask About Site Organisation

A landscaping site will inevitably be disruptive.

But it should still be managed.

Look for:

• Organised materials

• Safe excavations

• Appropriate waste storage

• Clear access.

Poor organisation can be an early warning sign.

Ask How Your Property Will Be Protected

If materials or machinery must pass through:

• Driveway

• House

• Side passage

ask what protection will be used.

Restricted-access gardens may require significant planning.

Ask About Waste Removal

Clarify whether the quote includes:

• Skips

• Grab wagons

• Soil removal

• Disposal charges.

This can represent a significant cost on large excavation projects.

Ask About Working Hours

For longer projects, establish:

• Typical working hours

• Days worked

• Access arrangements.

This helps manage expectations.

Consider Neighbours

Substantial landscaping can create:

• Noise

• Deliveries

• Temporary disruption.

Ask how the contractor manages:

• Access

• Deliveries

• Boundary work.

Good communication with neighbours can sometimes prevent unnecessary conflict.

Check Boundary Ownership Before Work

If the project involves:

• Fences

• Walls

• Hedges

near boundaries, ownership may need to be established.

Do not assume the landscaping contractor is responsible for determining the legal boundary.

Ask About Planning Permission

Some garden work may require planning or other consent.

Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page explores:

• Raised decking

• Boundaries

• Structures

• Major level changes

• Listed buildings

• Protected trees.

Clarify who is responsible for checking permissions.

Planning Responsibility Should Be Explicit

Do not assume:

“The landscaper would tell me if permission was needed.”

unless that responsibility is specifically part of the agreed service.

Depending on the project, responsibility may sit with:

• Homeowner

• Designer

• Planning consultant.

Make sure this is understood.

Check for Protected Trees

If mature trees are present, establish whether they are:

• Protected by a TPO

• Within a conservation area.

This should be checked before significant tree work begins.

Ask About Structural Engineering

Significant:

• Retaining walls

• Structures

may require structural input.

Ask whether this has been identified and who will appoint the engineer.

Ask About Utilities

Major landscape work may interact with:

• Electricity

• Water

• Drainage

• Gas

• Communications.

Ask what site information is available and what needs to be established before excavation.

Ask About Guarantees

Clarify what guarantees or warranties apply to:

• Workmanship

• Paving

• Structures

• Plants.

Ask:

• Duration

• Conditions

• Exclusions.

Do not rely solely on verbal assurances.

Ask What Is Not Guaranteed

This is just as important.

Potential exclusions may involve:

• Client damage

• Lack of watering

• Extreme weather

• Third-party work.

Understanding exclusions avoids unrealistic expectations later.

Check the Handover Process

At the end of the project, ask whether there will be:

• Final inspection

• Snagging

• Maintenance information

• Guarantee documents

• Handover.

The project should have a clearly defined completion stage.

Ask How Snagging Is Handled

Minor items can arise at the end of almost any construction project.

Ask:

• How are they recorded?

• When will they be completed?

• What constitutes completion?

A formal process is better than relying on informal promises.

Ask About Aftercare

The finished garden may need:

• Watering

• Lawn care

• Plant maintenance

• Irrigation adjustment.

Ask what aftercare information is provided.

How Much Does Landscaping Cost?

Cost is inevitably a major part of contractor selection.

Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page explores the factors that influence overall landscape construction cost.

These include:

• Garden size

• Access

• Groundworks

• Materials

• Levels

• Drainage

• Planting

• Features.

How Much Does a Landscaper Charge?

Our How Much Does a Landscaper Charge? page explores contractor charging in more detail.

Do not compare businesses solely by:

• Hourly rate

• Daily rate.

Productivity and competence matter.

Set the Budget Before Tendering

If possible, establish an approximate realistic budget before requesting detailed landscaping quotations.

Our How to Set a Budget for Garden Landscaping page provides a practical framework.

This helps avoid spending time tendering a scheme that is fundamentally incompatible with the available investment.

How Many Landscaping Quotes Should I Get?

There is no fixed rule.

For a defined project, several quotations can be useful.

But the quality of the information matters more than the number.

Two detailed quotes from carefully selected contractors may be more useful than five vague estimates.

Should I Get Three Landscaping Quotes?

Three is often suggested because it provides comparison.

But it is not a legal or universal requirement.

What matters is whether:

• Contractors are comparable

• Scope is consistent

• Specifications are clear.

Comparing Landscaping Quotes

Create a comparison based on:

• Total price

• VAT

• Scope

• Materials

• Groundworks

• Drainage

• Waste

• Planting

• Exclusions

• Provisional sums

• Programme

• Guarantees.

Do not simply highlight the lowest number.

Why Is One Landscaping Quote Much Cheaper?

Ask.

Possible reasons include:

• Lower overheads

• Different material specification

• Smaller scope

• Less ground preparation

• Missing items.

A large price difference deserves investigation.

Why Is One Landscaping Quote Much More Expensive?

Again, ask.

The contractor may have allowed for:

• Better materials

• More excavation

• Drainage

• Higher plant specification

• More detailed construction.

The higher quote may or may not represent better value.

The point is to understand why.

Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper

Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores potential red flags in detail.

These might include:

• No written quotation

• High-pressure sales tactics

• Large unexplained deposits

• Vague scope

• No evidence of insurance

• No previous projects

• Unclear business identity

• Unrealistic promises.

No single issue automatically proves someone is unsuitable.

But several together should increase caution.

Do Not Choose Solely on Availability

A contractor's lead time is only one factor.

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores why good contractors may have forward bookings.

An immediate start date is not automatically bad.

But:

“They could start Monday”

should not outweigh:

• Quality

• Reputation

• Documentation.

Do Not Choose Solely on Personality

It is important to feel comfortable with the people working at your home.

But being:

• Friendly

• Enthusiastic

• Likeable

does not prove that the construction quality will be good.

You need both:

good relationship + professional competence.

Do Not Choose Solely on Social Media

A strong Instagram account can demonstrate:

• Style

• Work

• Branding.

But social media is curated.

Use it as one part of your research.

Also examine:

• Reviews

• References

• Insurance

• Quotations

• Contracts.

Do Not Assume Expensive Means Best

The highest quote is not automatically the highest quality.

Likewise, the lowest is not automatically bad.

The objective is to identify the best:

scope + quality + confidence + value

for your particular project.

What Makes a Good Landscaping Company?

A strong landscape contractor generally demonstrates:

Clear Communication

They explain what is happening.

Detailed Quotation

You understand what is included.

Technical Competence

They understand construction, not just appearance.

Good Organisation

The project is properly managed.

Quality Workmanship

Finished details are carefully executed.

Transparency

Changes and costs are discussed.

Accountability

Problems are dealt with rather than avoided.

Professional Landscaping Is More Than Laying Paving

A professional landscaping company should understand how the different components of the garden interact.

Our Professional Landscaping page explores the wider process.

The final garden depends on:

• Design

• Ground preparation

• Drainage

• Construction

• Planting

working together.

Landscape Construction

Our Landscape Construction page explores the physical implementation of a professionally designed garden.

The quality of the finished project often depends on decisions made long before the visible finishes are installed.

Should I Use a Garden Designer and a Separate Landscaper?

This can work very well.

You can appoint:

• Designer

• Landscaper

separately.

If you do, make sure:

• Drawings are clear

• Responsibilities are defined

• Communication is coordinated.

Our Garden Designer and Landscaper page explores the relationship.

Should I Use One Company for Design and Landscaping?

This can also work extremely well.

An integrated design-and-build company can potentially coordinate:

• Design

• Specification

• Cost

• Construction.

Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores this route.

The most important issue is that the service structure is clear.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Landscaping Company

Before appointment, ask:

About the Business

• How long have you been trading?

• Do you have appropriate insurance?

• Can I see previous projects?

• Can I speak to previous clients?

About the Work

• Have you completed similar projects?

• Who will be on site?

• Who manages the project?

• Do you use subcontractors?

About the Quote

• Is it fixed or estimated?

• What is included?

• What is excluded?

• Are provisional sums included?

• Is VAT included where applicable?

About Construction

• How will drainage be handled?

• How will levels be set out?

• What ground preparation is included?

• What materials are specified?

About Payment

• What deposit is required?

• What are the stage payments?

• When is the final payment due?

About Programme

• When can you start?

• How long will it take?

• What can delay the work?

About Changes

• How are variations agreed?

• How are unexpected works priced?

About Completion

• What guarantees apply?

• How is snagging handled?

• What aftercare information is provided?

For a more detailed question-by-question checklist, see Questions to Ask a Landscaper.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose a good landscaping company?

Look at relevant experience, completed work, references, insurance, quotation quality, contracts, communication and technical understanding.

Should I get several landscaping quotes?

It can be useful, but only if the contractors are pricing broadly the same scope.

Should I always get three quotes?

No. Three is a useful rule of thumb, not an absolute requirement. Quality and comparability matter more than quantity.

Should I choose the cheapest landscaper?

Not automatically. Establish why the price is lower and what may be excluded.

Should I choose the most expensive landscaper?

Not automatically. A higher price should be supported by a stronger scope, specification, service or quality.

Should a landscaper provide a written quote?

For significant work, a detailed written quotation is strongly preferable.

Should a landscaper provide a contract?

For substantial landscaping projects, clear written contractual terms are highly advisable.

What insurance should a landscaper have?

The contractor should hold insurance appropriate to the nature of the business and work, which may include public liability and, where applicable, employers' liability cover.

Should I ask for references?

Yes, particularly for major projects.

Should I look at previous landscaping work?

Yes. Ideally look at both recent and older completed projects.

What should I check in landscaping reviews?

Look for comments about communication, reliability, workmanship, problem solving and aftercare rather than star rating alone.

Is it a bad sign if a landscaper can start immediately?

Not necessarily. But availability should be considered alongside experience, quality and professionalism.

How important is the landscaping quotation?

Very. It should help define what you are actually buying.

What is a provisional sum?

An allowance for work or materials that cannot yet be accurately priced.

What is a variation?

A change to the agreed scope of work.

Should a landscaper understand drainage?

Yes. Drainage can be fundamental to the long-term performance of patios, lawns, planting and level changes.

Should I ask about ground preparation?

Definitely. Much of the quality of landscaping depends on work that will eventually be hidden.

Do I need garden drawings before getting quotes?

For a substantial design-led project, drawings can help contractors price the same agreed scheme. See Do I Need Drawings for My Garden?.

How much does landscaping cost?

See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

How far in advance should I book?

See How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper?.

What questions should I ask a landscaper?

See Questions to Ask a Landscaper.

What warning signs should I look for?

See Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper.

Choose the Landscaping Company That Gives You Confidence in the Whole Project

The best landscaping contractor is not necessarily the company with:

• The lowest quote

• The shortest lead time

• The most attractive sales presentation.

A significant garden transformation requires much more.

You are trusting the contractor to make decisions about:

• Ground preparation

• Levels

• Drainage

• Materials

• Construction

• Planting

• Site organisation.

These decisions can determine whether a garden still performs properly many years after the photographs were taken.

Before appointing a landscaping company, make sure you understand:

what is being built

how it will be built

what it will cost

how changes will be handled

who will manage the work

what happens if problems are discovered

what happens at completion.

A professional contractor should not be uncomfortable with detailed questions.

Clear clients and clear contractors generally create better projects.

If you are planning a substantial garden transformation in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, the Ribble Valley or elsewhere across North West England, Kirman Design provides an integrated garden design and professional landscape construction service, allowing the design, specification, pricing and construction stages to be coordinated from the outset.