Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before You Hire Them

Hiring a landscaper for a significant garden project is not simply a matter of finding someone who can lay paving, build walls or plant trees.

You are potentially appointing a contractor to:

• Excavate your garden

• Alter levels

• Install drainage

• Build retaining structures

• Lay paving

• Construct steps

• Install lighting infrastructure

• Plant trees and shrubs

• Coordinate suppliers

• Manage materials

• Work around your home for several weeks or months.

For a substantial garden transformation, the landscaping contractor may be responsible for a considerable financial investment.

It therefore makes sense to ask detailed questions before appointing them.

The objective is not to make the procurement process unnecessarily complicated.

It is to establish whether the contractor has the:

experience + organisation + technical ability + financial clarity + communication

required for your project.

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

What Questions Should I Ask a Landscaper?

Some of the most useful questions include:

1. Have you completed projects similar to mine?

2. Can I see examples of completed work?

3. Can I speak to previous clients?

4. Who will actually carry out the work?

5. Is the quotation fixed or estimated?

6. Exactly what is included?

7. What is excluded?

8. Are materials included?

9. How are variations handled?

10. What payment schedule do you require?

11. Do you have appropriate insurance?

12. Will there be a written contract?

13. How long will the project take?

14. When can you start?

15. Who manages the site?

16. How will drainage be handled?

17. How will levels be set out?

18. What guarantees or warranties apply?

19. Who is responsible for removing waste?

20. What happens if unexpected problems are discovered?

The answers should give you a much clearer indication of how professionally the project is likely to be managed.

1. Have You Completed Projects Similar to Mine?

Ask about relevant experience.

Similarity does not necessarily mean finding a garden identical to yours.

More useful similarities might include:

• Project value

• Garden size

• Sloping site

• Restricted access

• Complex paving

• Retaining walls

• Outdoor kitchens

• Large specimen trees.

If your garden has unusual challenges, experience dealing with those challenges matters.

2. Can I See Examples of Completed Landscaping Projects?

Yes.

Look beyond carefully selected close-up photographs.

Try to see:

• Whole gardens

• Paving details

• Walling

• Steps

• Planting

• Drainage detailing

• Finished edges.

A polished social media photograph can look impressive while revealing very little about the overall quality of construction.

3. Can I See Older Projects?

This can be particularly useful.

A garden may look excellent immediately after completion.

The more revealing question is:

How does it look after several years?

Older work can help demonstrate:

• Paving stability

• Wall construction

• Drainage performance

• Plant establishment

• Overall durability.

4. Can I Speak to Previous Clients?

For a substantial project, it is reasonable to ask.

Useful questions for previous clients include:

• Did the project finish close to the agreed programme?

• Was communication good?

• Were unexpected costs explained?

• Was the site kept reasonably organised?

• Were problems dealt with properly?

• Would you use the company again?

Testimonials can be helpful, but direct client experience can provide additional context.

5. Who Will Actually Carry Out the Work?

This is an important question.

The person who visits to quote may not be the person on site every day.

Ask:

• Is the workforce employed directly?

• Are subcontractors used?

• Who supervises the project?

• Who is my main contact?

You should understand who is responsible for delivery.

6. Will There Be a Site Manager or Team Leader?

For larger projects, day-to-day supervision becomes increasingly important.

Ask:

• Who makes decisions on site?

• Who checks the drawings?

• Who coordinates deliveries?

• Who communicates changes?

Clear responsibility helps prevent confusion.

7. Do You Work From Garden Design Drawings?

For a substantial design-led project, the contractor should be comfortable working from:

• Plans

• Levels

• Setting-out information

• Planting plans

• Construction details.

Our Do I Need Drawings for My Garden? page explains why drawings can reduce ambiguity before construction begins.

8. Is the Garden Fully Designed Before You Quote?

Ideally, a detailed quotation should be based on a sufficiently developed scheme.

If important decisions remain unresolved, the quotation may rely heavily on assumptions.

That makes comparisons between contractors difficult.

Our Complete Garden Design and Build page explores how design and construction can be coordinated.

9. Can You Help If I Do Not Yet Have a Garden Design?

Some landscaping companies also provide design.

If so, ask exactly what that means.

Will you receive:

• A proper garden plan?

• Construction information?

• Planting design?

• Material specification?

Our Garden Designer and Landscaper page explores the relationship between the two roles.

10. What Exactly Is Included in the Quotation?

Never rely on the final figure alone.

Ask for clarity about:

• Excavation

• Waste removal

• Sub-base

• Drainage

• Paving

• Walling

• Steps

• Soil

• Planting

• Labour

• Materials

• Delivery.

The objective is to understand what you are buying.

11. What Is Excluded From the Quote?

This can be just as important as what is included.

Potential exclusions might include:

• Electrical work

• Planning applications

• Structural engineering

• Specialist tree work

• Additional drainage

• Unexpected ground conditions.

Clear exclusions reduce later disputes.

12. Is the Price Fixed or an Estimate?

Ask directly.

There is an important difference between:

• Fixed quotation

• Estimate

• Budget allowance

• Provisional sum.

You should understand which parts of the price are firm and which may change.

13. Are Provisional Sums Included?

A provisional sum is an allowance for work or materials that cannot yet be priced accurately.

Ask:

• Which items are provisional?

• Why?

• What happens if the real cost is higher?

• What happens if it is lower?

A quotation containing many large provisional sums deserves careful scrutiny.

14. What Assumptions Has the Landscaper Made?

Ask whether the quotation assumes:

• Good ground conditions

• Easy access

• No hidden concrete

• No unexpected drainage

• No contaminated soil.

If those assumptions prove wrong, costs may change.

15. How Are Variations Handled?

This is one of the most important questions.

A variation is a change to the agreed work.

Ask:

• Must changes be agreed in writing?

• Will a price be provided before work proceeds?

• Who can authorise a variation?

Clear variation procedures are particularly important on substantial projects.

16. What Happens If I Change My Mind During Construction?

Changes happen.

You may decide that you want:

• Larger patio

• Different paving

• Additional planting

• Extra lighting.

Ask how these changes affect:

• Price

• Programme

• Material orders.

The important thing is that changes are documented.

17. What Happens If You Discover an Unexpected Problem?

Landscaping often reveals things that were not visible beforehand.

Examples include:

• Concrete foundations

• Buried rubble

• Poor drainage

• Unstable ground

• Unknown services.

Ask how unexpected work will be:

• Assessed

• Costed

• Approved

before proceeding.

18. What Payment Schedule Do You Require?

Ask for the full payment structure.

A payment schedule might include:

• Deposit

• Stage payments

• Final balance.

You should understand:

• When each payment is due

• What each payment relates to

• What happens if the project changes.

19. Why Is a Deposit Required?

Deposits may be used to:

• Secure the programme

• Order materials

• Reserve resources.

Ask what the deposit covers.

The payment structure should be proportionate and clearly documented.

20. Should I Pay Everything Upfront?

For a substantial landscape construction project, you should understand why any significant advance payment is requested and exactly what it covers.

Be cautious where there is:

• No written contract

• No clear programme

• No explanation of payment stages.

21. Will There Be a Written Contract?

For a significant project, there should be clear written terms.

These should address matters such as:

• Scope

• Price

• Payments

• Programme

• Variations

• Responsibilities.

A contract is not a sign that something is expected to go wrong.

It is a way of establishing expectations before work begins.

22. Will the Specification Form Part of the Contract?

Ideally, the scope of work should be sufficiently clear.

A specification can identify:

• Materials

• Construction methods

• Finishes

• Plant sizes

• Quantities.

Without this, both parties may have different interpretations of what the quotation includes.

23. Are the Drawings Included in the Contract Documents?

For a design-led landscape, establish which drawings the contractor is pricing and agreeing to build.

This may include:

• Masterplan

• Setting-out plan

• Levels

• Planting plan

• Construction details.

If drawings are revised, make sure everyone knows which version is current.

24. Do You Have Appropriate Insurance?

Ask the contractor what relevant insurance they hold.

Depending on the nature of the business and work, this might include:

• Public liability insurance

• Employers' liability insurance where applicable

• Other appropriate business cover.

Do not simply accept:

“Yes, we are insured.”

Ask what the insurance covers.

25. Can I See Evidence of Insurance?

For a major project, it is reasonable to ask for evidence of relevant cover.

Check that it is:

• Current

• Appropriate to the work

• In the correct business name.

26. Do You Use Subcontractors?

Many professional contractors use specialist subcontractors where appropriate.

That is not inherently a problem.

Ask:

• Which work is subcontracted?

• Who appoints them?

• Who manages them?

• Who remains responsible to you?

27. Who Is Responsible for Specialist Electrical Work?

Garden lighting, outdoor kitchens and other features may require specialist trades.

Ask who coordinates:

• Electrical work

• Certification

• Cable routes.

Our Garden Lighting Ideas page explores why lighting infrastructure should be considered before the finished landscape is complete.

28. Who Is Responsible for Plumbing or Gas Work?

Outdoor kitchens and water features can introduce additional services.

Ask:

• What specialist work is required?

• Who appoints the specialist?

• Is it included in the quote?

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores the wider coordination required.

29. How Will You Set Out the Garden?

Ask how the contractor transfers the design from drawings to the site.

This becomes particularly important where the design relies on:

• Alignment

• Geometry

• Levels

• Symmetry.

A good plan can still fail if it is poorly set out.

30. How Will You Establish Garden Levels?

Levels influence:

• Patios

• Steps

• Walls

• Lawns

• Drainage.

Ask how the contractor will establish and check them.

This is particularly important in a Sloping Garden.

31. How Do You Deal With Sloping Gardens?

If the site slopes, ask about experience with:

• Excavation

• Terracing

• Retaining walls

• Steps

• Drainage.

Our Landscaping a Steep Garden page explores the challenges associated with steeper sites.

32. Who Designs Retaining Walls?

Substantial retaining structures may require specialist design.

Ask when the contractor would involve:

• Structural engineer

• Other specialist.

Our Garden Retaining Walls page explores why retaining walls are more than decorative boundaries.

33. How Will Drainage Be Handled?

This should not be an afterthought.

Ask:

• Where does surface water go?

• What falls will be created?

• Are land drains required?

• How will waterlogging be addressed?

Our Garden Drainage page explores the importance of understanding where water originates and where it can safely discharge.

34. What If I Have Clay Soil?

Heavy clay affects:

• Drainage

• Excavation

• Lawns

• Planting.

Our Clay Soil Gardens page explores these issues in more detail.

This is particularly relevant across many areas of North West England.

35. How Will You Prepare the Ground Under Paving?

Ask what will be done beneath the finished surface.

Good paving depends heavily on:

• Excavation depth

• Sub-base

• Compaction

• Bedding

• Drainage.

The most important parts are often the parts you cannot see once the project is finished.

36. What Paving Installation Method Will You Use?

Ask how the proposed material will be installed.

The correct method depends on the paving.

Your contractor should be able to explain the proposed construction rather than simply saying:

“That is how we always do it.”

37. How Will Paving Be Cut and Finished?

For high-quality landscape work, detailing matters.

Ask about:

• Cut edges

• Drainage channels

• Steps

• Manhole covers

• Junctions with walls.

Precision in these areas can have a significant effect on the finished appearance.

38. How Will Paving Meet the House?

This is particularly important around:

• Bifold doors

• Sliding doors

• Extensions.

Our Patio Design Outside Bifold Doors page explores this relationship.

Ask how:

• Thresholds

• Drainage

• Levels

will be resolved.

39. How Will Level Access Be Achieved?

If step-free access is required, ask for a clear explanation.

Our Level Access from House to Garden page explores how external paving and drainage can be coordinated.

40. How Will Drainage Around an Extension Be Managed?

Extensions can alter:

• Floor levels

• Roof water

• Surface-water flow.

Our Drainage Around Patios and Extensions page explores these issues.

41. What Materials Are Included?

Ask exactly which materials have been priced.

For example:

• Paving manufacturer

• Product

• Size

• Thickness

• Colour.

A quote saying:

“Porcelain patio”

does not tell you enough to make a meaningful comparison.

42. Can I See Material Samples?

For important visible materials, yes.

Consider viewing:

• Paving

• Stone

• Brick

• Timber

• Decorative gravel.

Small differences in tone or texture can have a large visual effect across a big area.

43. What Happens If My Chosen Material Is Unavailable?

Ask before construction begins.

Options might include:

• Waiting

• Re-selecting

• Revising the programme.

Do not allow a substitution to be made without discussion if it materially changes the design.

44. Who Orders the Materials?

Establish whether:

• Contractor supplies them

• You supply them

• Designer specifies them

• Supplier delivers directly.

Responsibility should be clear.

45. What Happens to Leftover Materials?

Ask whether surplus material:

• Remains yours

• Is removed

• Is returned where possible.

This is a small issue but worth clarifying.

46. Who Is Responsible for Waste Removal?

A major landscaping project can generate significant quantities of:

• Soil

• Concrete

• Old paving

• Green waste.

Ask whether disposal is included in the quotation.

47. Are Skip and Disposal Costs Included?

Do not assume they are.

Waste disposal can represent a substantial cost on projects involving extensive excavation.

48. How Will You Protect My Property?

Ask how the team will protect:

• Driveways

• Floors

• Walls

• Gates

• Existing planting.

This becomes especially important where the only access is through the house.

49. How Will You Manage Restricted Access?

If the garden has narrow or difficult access, ask how:

• Excavation

• Materials

• Machinery

• Waste

will move through the site.

Our Garden Groundworks page explores why access can materially affect the construction strategy.

50. What Machinery Will You Use?

Depending on the project, machinery may include:

• Mini excavators

• Dumpers

• Compaction equipment

• Cutting equipment.

Ask whether access has been assessed before the quote is finalised.

51. Who Is Responsible for Damage to Existing Features?

The contract should make responsibilities clear.

Existing:

• Trees

• Walls

• Paving

• Buildings

may need protection.

52. How Will Existing Trees Be Protected?

Mature trees can be extremely valuable.

Ask how excavation, storage and construction will be managed around them.

Do not assume that a large established tree can tolerate unlimited excavation around its roots.

53. What If a Tree Is Protected?

If there is a known Tree Preservation Order or conservation-area protection, tell the contractor.

Our Do I Need Planning Permission to Landscape My Garden? page explores protected-tree considerations more broadly.

54. Do I Need Planning Permission for the Landscaping?

Ask whether any part of the proposed work appears to require planning investigation.

Potential examples may include:

• Raised platforms

• Significant level changes

• Particular structures

• Boundaries

• Listed properties.

Do not assume the landscaper is automatically responsible for establishing the legal planning position unless this is expressly part of their appointment.

55. Who Is Responsible for Planning Permission?

Clarify this in writing.

Responsibility might sit with:

• Client

• Designer

• Planning consultant

• Contractor

depending on the project and contract.

Do not leave this ambiguous.

56. What About Listed Buildings?

If the property is listed, ask whether the contractor has relevant experience.

Our Garden Design for Listed Buildings page explores why some projects require additional heritage consideration.

57. How Long Will the Landscaping Take?

Ask for a realistic programme.

The answer should consider:

• Project size

• Groundworks

• Weather

• Material lead times

• Specialist trades.

Be wary of promises that appear unrealistically fast.

58. When Can You Start?

Availability matters, but it should not be your only selection criterion.

Our How Far in Advance Should I Book a Landscaper? page explores landscaping lead times in more detail.

59. Does the Start Date Mean You Will Stay Until Completion?

This is an excellent question.

Ask whether the team will:

• Remain on your project

• Move between several projects

• Leave gaps while waiting for materials.

Some interruptions may be unavoidable.

What matters is understanding how the programme will be managed.

60. What Could Delay the Project?

Potential delays might include:

• Weather

• Material shortages

• Unexpected ground conditions

• Client changes

• Specialist subcontractors.

Ask how delays will be communicated.

61. What Happens During Bad Weather?

Landscaping is exposed to the elements.

Ask:

• Which work can continue?

• Which work must stop?

• How will the site be left safe?

A realistic programme should recognise that weather can affect construction.

62. Will I Receive a Project Programme?

For larger projects, a basic programme can be useful.

It might identify:

• Groundworks

• Walls

• Paving

• Structures

• Planting

• Completion.

It does not need to predict every day perfectly.

Its purpose is to communicate the broad sequence.

63. Who Will Keep Me Updated?

Ask who provides progress updates.

One clear point of contact is usually preferable to having to ask different team members for information.

64. How Often Will We Discuss Progress?

Agree an appropriate communication method.

This could include:

• Regular site discussions

• Email updates

• Stage meetings.

Too little communication creates uncertainty.

Too much informal communication can create confusion about what has actually been agreed.

65. How Are Decisions Recorded?

Important decisions should ideally be confirmed in writing.

This is particularly important for:

• Variations

• Material changes

• Additional costs.

A verbal conversation on a busy site can easily be remembered differently later.

66. Can I Talk Directly to the Workers?

You can, but significant changes should usually go through the agreed project contact.

Asking a site operative to:

“Just make this bit a little bigger”

could create a variation without the cost or knock-on effects having been properly considered.

67. How Will the Site Be Kept Secure?

Ask about:

• Tools

• Machinery

• Materials

• Excavations.

This is especially important where:

• Children

• Dogs

are present.

68. Can We Use the Garden During Construction?

Possibly not.

A substantial landscape project may temporarily make much of the garden inaccessible.

Ask what access can safely remain.

69. What About Children During Construction?

Discuss practical site safety.

Excavations, tools and materials can create obvious hazards.

The contractor should manage the work area appropriately, but households also need to follow agreed site restrictions.

70. What About Dogs?

Dogs and active landscaping sites rarely mix well.

Discuss:

• Secure areas

• Gates

• Temporary boundaries.

Our Dog-Friendly Garden Design page explores the finished garden, but construction logistics need consideration too.

71. Who Supplies the Plants?

Ask whether plants are:

• Included in the quote

• Supplied separately

• Selected from a planting plan.

The source and specification of plants can materially affect quality and cost.

72. What Plant Sizes Are Included?

This is important.

Two quotations might both specify:

“Portuguese laurel hedge”

while one assumes small plants and another much larger specimens.

Ask for clear:

• Sizes

• Quantities

• Specifications.

73. Who Checks the Plants on Delivery?

Good plants should be checked for:

• Quality

• Damage

• Correct specification.

Ask who takes responsibility.

74. Are Specimen Trees Included?

If large trees form part of the design, ask:

• What size?

• How are they transported?

• How will they be planted?

• Is staking or anchoring included?

Large trees require significantly more planning than ordinary small planting.

75. How Will New Plants Be Watered?

Ask about establishment watering.

This is especially important for:

• Trees

• Hedges

• Large planting schemes.

Clarify when responsibility transfers to you.

76. Is Irrigation Included?

If an irrigation system is proposed, ask:

• What type?

• Which areas does it cover?

• Who commissions it?

• What maintenance is required?

77. What Soil Preparation Is Included?

Successful planting depends heavily on the ground.

Ask what is included for:

• Soil improvement

• Cultivation

• Mulching.

Planting into poorly prepared soil can undermine an expensive planting scheme.

78. Is a Planting Plan Included?

If the contractor is providing plants, establish whether they are working from a proper design.

Our Garden Planting Ideas page explores why planting should have structure, repetition and seasonal interest rather than simply filling empty beds.

79. Do You Guarantee Plants?

Ask what, if any, plant guarantee applies.

Also ask what conditions are attached.

For example, guarantees may depend on:

• Watering

• Aftercare

• Maintenance.

Make sure responsibilities are clear.

80. What Guarantees Apply to the Landscaping?

Ask which elements are guaranteed and for how long.

Potential areas might include:

• Paving

• Walling

• Structures

• Installation workmanship.

Do not rely on vague statements such as:

“Don't worry, we'll sort anything.”

Ask what is actually covered.

81. What Is Not Covered by the Guarantee?

This is equally important.

Exclusions might include:

• Damage by others

• Lack of maintenance

• Extreme weather

• Natural movement

• Plant failure caused by inadequate watering.

Understand the limits before work starts.

82. Will I Receive Maintenance Information?

Aftercare can be important for:

• Plants

• Lawns

• Timber

• Water features

• Irrigation.

Ask what information will be provided at handover.

83. What Happens at the End of the Project?

Ask whether there is a formal completion process.

This might include:

• Walk-through

• Snagging

• Handover

• Final payment.

A defined ending is better than the contractor simply disappearing when the last paving slab is laid.

84. What Is Snagging?

Snagging identifies small items that require:

• Adjustment

• Completion

• Correction

before final handover.

Ask how snagging is handled.

85. When Is the Final Payment Due?

Clarify whether it is due:

• At practical completion

• After agreed snagging

• At another specified stage.

The contract should make this clear.

86. Can I Withhold Payment If I Am Unhappy?

Disputes over payment and workmanship can become complicated.

The best approach is to have:

• Clear contract

• Defined stages

• Documented changes

• Formal completion process

from the beginning.

If a serious dispute arises, appropriate professional or legal advice may be required.

87. What Documentation Will I Receive at Handover?

Depending on the project, this may include:

• Guarantees

• Product information

• Electrical documentation

• Maintenance information

• Planting information.

Ask beforehand so documents are not difficult to gather later.

88. What Does Professional Landscaping Cost?

Price depends heavily on the scope.

Our How Much Does Landscaping Cost? page explores the main factors influencing landscape construction cost.

These include:

• Groundworks

• Access

• Materials

• Levels

• Drainage

• Structures

• Planting.

89. How Much Does a Landscaper Charge?

For more detail on contractor charging structures, see How Much Does a Landscaper Charge?.

The cheapest daily rate does not necessarily produce the cheapest completed garden.

Productivity, organisation and workmanship matter too.

90. Should I Tell the Landscaper My Budget?

Yes.

A realistic budget helps establish whether the proposed scope is achievable.

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

91. Should I Get Three Landscaping Quotes?

There is no magic number.

Obtaining several quotations can be useful where they are based on the same:

• Drawings

• Specification

• Scope.

Three incomparable quotes based on different assumptions may tell you very little.

92. How Do I Compare Landscaping Quotes?

Do not compare only the totals.

Compare:

• Scope

• Materials

• Quantities

• Groundworks

• Drainage

• Waste

• Planting

• Exclusions

• Provisional sums

• Guarantees.

A more expensive quotation may include considerably more.

93. Should I Choose the Cheapest Landscaper?

Not automatically.

Ask why one quote is cheaper.

It may be because:

• Business is efficient

• Materials are sourced well

or because something important is missing.

A low price is not automatically suspicious.

But it should still be understood.

94. Should I Choose the Landscaper Who Can Start Tomorrow?

Not automatically.

Immediate availability can be perfectly legitimate.

But if every reputable contractor is booked for months and one business can start immediately, it is reasonable to ask why.

Our Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper page explores this in more detail.

95. What Are the Main Warning Signs?

Potential concerns can include:

• Refusal to provide a written quote

• Large unexplained upfront payment

• No clear business details

• Vague specification

• No evidence of previous work

• Pressure to decide immediately

• Reluctance to discuss insurance

• Very unclear timescales.

One issue does not automatically prove a contractor is unsuitable.

But several together should encourage further investigation.

96. How Do I Choose a Landscaping Company?

Our How to Choose a Landscaping Company page provides a broader selection guide.

It explores:

• Experience

• Portfolio

• Communication

• Quotation quality

• Professionalism.

97. Should I Ask About Professional Memberships?

Yes, if relevant.

Professional association membership can provide an additional indication of industry involvement or standards.

But it should not replace checking:

• Actual workmanship

• Insurance

• References

• Contract

• Quotation.

98. Should I Ask About Awards?

Awards can demonstrate external recognition.

But again, they should form part of the overall assessment rather than the sole reason for appointment.

The quality of the actual team delivering your project matters most.

99. Should I Ask How Long the Company Has Been Trading?

Yes.

Longevity can provide some reassurance, but it is not a substitute for evaluating current:

• Team

• Work

• Financial clarity

• Organisation.

100. Who Should I Contact If Something Goes Wrong?

Ask this before the project begins.

You should know:

• Who has authority

• Who handles complaints

• Who resolves site issues.

Clear escalation routes are valuable.

Questions to Ask a Landscaper About Paving

Consider asking:

• What paving product is included?

• How will the ground be prepared?

• How will falls be created?

• How will joints be finished?

• How will cut edges be handled?

• How will drainage be incorporated?

• How will paving meet doors and thresholds?

Our Garden Patio Ideas page explores the design side of patios.

Questions to Ask About Retaining Walls

Ask:

• What is retaining the ground?

• What foundation is proposed?

• Is drainage required behind the wall?

• Does it need structural design?

• How will it be finished?

Do not treat a substantial retaining wall as merely a decorative feature.

Questions to Ask About Garden Steps

Ask:

• What are the proposed dimensions?

• How many steps?

• How will levels be set?

• What material is being used?

• Is lighting required?

Our Garden Steps page explores how steps can be incorporated into the wider design.

Questions to Ask About Outdoor Kitchens

Ask:

• Who supplies the kitchen?

• Who installs it?

• Who provides electrical work?

• Who provides plumbing?

• Are foundations included?

• How does it coordinate with paving?

Our Garden Design Around an Outdoor Kitchen page explores how these features should fit within the garden rather than being treated independently.

Questions to Ask About Pergolas

Ask:

• Who supplies it?

• Who installs it?

• What foundations are required?

• Is lighting integrated?

• Are dimensions confirmed before paving is completed?

Questions to Ask About Garden Lighting

Ask:

• Who specifies the fittings?

• Who carries out electrical work?

• Are cables installed before paving?

• Is commissioning included?

• What controls are provided?

Questions to Ask About Water Features

Ask:

• Who constructs it?

• How is water supplied?

• Where is electrical equipment located?

• How is maintenance access provided?

• How is water loss managed?

Questions for a Sloping Garden

If your garden slopes, ask about:

• Cut and fill

• Terraces

• Retaining

• Drainage

• Steps

• Access.

A sloping garden can make apparently simple work significantly more complicated.

Questions for an Accessible Garden

Where accessibility is important, ask how construction will achieve the agreed:

• Path widths

• Gradients

• Turning areas

• Thresholds.

Our Accessible Garden Design and Wheelchair Accessible Garden Design pages explore the design principles.

Questions for a New-Build Garden

Ask about:

• Compacted ground

• Drainage

• Existing developer soil

• Poor levels

• Boundaries.

Our New-Build Gardens page explores these common problems.

Questions After a House Extension

Where the garden follows building work, ask:

• Are extension levels confirmed?

• Is drainage complete?

• Are there construction remnants underground?

• Is access still available?

Our Landscaping After House Extension page explores this transition.

Questions for Large Gardens

For larger projects, ask about:

• Programme

• Phasing

• Machinery

• Site management

• Material storage

• Multiple teams.

Our Large Gardens page explores why substantial landscapes require stronger project planning.

Questions for £50,000–£100,000 Landscaping Projects

At this level, ask particularly about:

• Contract

• Detailed specification

• Drawings

• Payment stages

• Programme

• Variations.

Our Garden Design £50,000–£100,000 Budget page explores projects within this investment range.

Questions for £100,000+ Landscaping Projects

For major schemes, ask about:

• Project management

• Procurement

• Specialist consultants

• Programme

• Construction drawings

• Multiple trades

• Handover.

Our Garden Design £100,000+ Projects page explores this scale of landscape investment.

Questions to Ask Before Signing the Landscaping Contract

Before signing, check that you understand:

The Work

• What is included?

• What is excluded?

• Which drawings apply?

The Price

• Is it fixed?

• Which items are provisional?

• Is VAT included where applicable?

The Payments

• What deposit is required?

• When are stage payments due?

• When is final payment due?

The Programme

• When will work start?

• How long is it expected to take?

• How are delays handled?

Variations

• Who can authorise them?

• Must they be priced before proceeding?

Materials

• What exact products are specified?

• Who orders them?

Insurance

• What appropriate cover is held?

Guarantees

• What is covered?

• For how long?

• What exclusions apply?

Completion

• How is snagging handled?

• What documentation is provided?

If you cannot understand the agreement before work begins, ask questions until you can.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask a landscaper before hiring them?

Ask about experience, insurance, quotations, contracts, payment schedules, materials, drainage, timescales, guarantees and who will actually carry out the work.

Should a landscaper give me a written quote?

For substantial work, a clear written quotation is extremely valuable because it identifies the agreed scope, price and exclusions.

Should I ask for references?

Yes, particularly for a major landscaping project.

Should I ask to see previous work?

Yes. Ideally look at complete projects and, where possible, work that has been finished for some time.

Should a landscaper have insurance?

A professional contractor should hold appropriate insurance for the nature of the business and work being undertaken. Ask what cover is held rather than relying on a vague assurance.

Should I ask for proof of insurance?

For a significant contract, it is reasonable to request evidence of relevant current cover.

Should there be a landscaping contract?

For substantial work, clear written contractual terms are strongly advisable.

Should I pay a deposit?

Deposits are common, but understand exactly why it is required, how much is due and what it secures.

Should I pay for the entire landscaping project upfront?

Be cautious about significant unexplained upfront payments. A clear staged payment arrangement is generally easier to understand and manage.

What is a provisional sum?

It is an allowance for work or materials that cannot yet be priced precisely. Ask which parts of the quotation are provisional.

What is a variation?

A variation is a change to the agreed scope of work. Establish how variations are approved and priced.

Should I ask about drainage?

Yes. Drainage can be fundamental to the success of patios, lawns, planting and level changes.

Should I ask how paving is constructed?

Yes. Much of the quality of paving depends on the preparation beneath the visible surface.

Should I ask who carries out electrical work?

Yes, particularly where garden lighting, outdoor kitchens or other electrical installations are included.

Should I ask about waste disposal?

Yes. Check whether excavation spoil, skips and disposal charges are included.

Should I ask how long the work will take?

Yes. Ask for a realistic programme and understand what might cause delays.

Should I choose the cheapest landscaping quote?

Not automatically. Compare the scope, materials, construction, exclusions and guarantees as well as the headline price.

Should I obtain several quotations?

It can be useful, particularly where each contractor is pricing the same drawings and specification.

How far in advance should I book a landscaper?

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

How do I choose a landscaping company?

See How to Choose a Landscaping Company.

What warning signs should I look for?

See Warning Signs When Choosing a Landscaper.

How much does landscaping cost?

See How Much Does Landscaping Cost?.

What should I ask a garden designer?

See Questions to Ask a Garden Designer.

The Best Landscaper Is Not Necessarily the Cheapest, Fastest or Most Available

When choosing a landscaper, it is tempting to focus on three questions:

How much?

When can you start?

How long will it take?

All three matter.

But they do not tell you enough.

For a substantial garden transformation, you also need to understand:

What exactly are you building?

How will it be constructed?

Who will manage it?

How will drainage and levels be handled?

Which materials are included?

How will unexpected work be dealt with?

What happens if the design changes?

What payment protections and contractual arrangements exist?

What happens after completion?

A professional contractor should be comfortable answering these questions.

Indeed, a well-run landscaping business will usually want the project to be clearly defined because ambiguity creates risk for both contractor and client.

Your aim should not be to find the company that gives you the answers you most want to hear.

It should be to find the company whose:

workmanship + organisation + communication + documentation + technical understanding

give you confidence that the garden will be built properly.

If you are planning a significant 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, drawings, materials and site construction to be coordinated from the beginning.