8 Questions to Ask a Landscaper Before Starting a New Project

The right landscape partner should understand your vision, property, budget, and the environmental conditions that can affect your project long after installation.

For St. Louis homeowners, local expertise also matters. Missouri weather, plant hardiness, clay-heavy soils, drainage considerations, and local regulations can all influence landscape design. Before signing a contract, use these questions to ask a landscaper to find a team you can trust.

Key Takeaways

• Ask about experience, services, warranties, costs, timelines, and ongoing maintenance before choosing a landscaper.
• A detailed estimate and clear communication can prevent unexpected issues later.
• Local expertise helps ensure plants, materials, and designs are appropriate for St. Louis-area conditions.

1. What Are Your Qualifications, and How Many Years Have You Been in Business?

Start by learning about the contractor's experience and qualifications. Ask how many years they've been in the industry, what types of projects they've completed, and whether they carry appropriate licenses and insurance.

Requesting a portfolio of previous work can also help you determine whether their experience matches your project. Look for projects similar in size, design style, or complexity to your own.

For Missouri homeowners, ask about experience with local weather patterns, plant hardiness, drainage, permitting processes, and other regional considerations.

2. What Services Do You Offer and Recommend for My Property?

While you can often find a list of services online, it's still important to discuss the project's scope during your initial consultation.

Professional landscapers should be able to assess your property and recommend services based on its layout, environmental conditions, spatial constraints, and your goals.

Depending on the company, services may include:

• Landscape design and installation
• Plant selection and native plant designs
• Hardscaping and permeable pavers
• Drainage services
• Landscape lighting installation
• Water features
• Outdoor living space design/build services
• Lawn care and maintenance

Ask how the design and planning process works, too. Some projects may include sketches or digital renderings that help you visualize the design concept, color schemes, plantings, and overall layout before the construction phase begins.

3. What Warranty Policies Do You Have?

Ask whether the landscaper provides warranties or a guarantee on the work and what those policies cover.

Warranty terms may differ between plants, hardscaping, and other installations. Ask about warranties on plants, replacement policies for dead plants, and whether specific installation work is guaranteed.

You should also understand what ongoing care is required to keep a warranty valid. A newly installed tree, for example, may require a specific watering schedule.

4. What Do Project Timelines Look Like?

Before work begins, ask for an estimated timeline from start to finish, including expected start and completion dates.

Keep in mind that landscaping is particularly dependent on weather conditions. Heavy rain, extreme temperatures, material availability, permitting, or unexpected site obstacles can cause potential delays.

Ask how your landscaper handles those situations and communicates changes to deadlines. Understanding the project's development and construction phases can help establish realistic expectations before installation begins.

5. Where Do You Source Your Plants and Flowers?

High-quality plants suited to local conditions are more likely to establish successfully.

Ask where they source plants, shrubs, and trees. A professional should consider growing conditions such as sunlight, soil, moisture, mature plant size, pests and diseases, and maintenance requirements.

For St. Louis landscapes, incorporating native Missouri plants can be particularly beneficial. Native plants are adapted to regional conditions and can support local wildlife while fitting naturally into the landscape.

You can also ask whether you're receiving young saplings or more mature plants and what plant care will be necessary after installation.

6. How Much Do Projects Typically Cost, and How Does Pricing Work?

Every landscaping company has its own pricing structure, and costs vary significantly based on the project's scope.

Ask for a detailed estimate that explains how the budget is allocated. Important pricing questions to help estimate landscaping costs include:

• What are the labor and materials costs?
• How are budget overruns and contingencies handled?
• What happens if I request design changes?
• Could there be additional or hidden fees?
• Are there plant or material alternatives at different price points?
• What is the payment schedule?

Transparency is important. You should have a mutual understanding of what the estimate includes and how unexpected costs will be addressed before work begins.

7. Do You Provide Maintenance and Aftercare Services?

A beautiful landscape still requires care after installation. Ask what maintenance tasks will be your responsibility and whether the landscaper offers ongoing services.

Depending on your project, maintenance for landscaping in St. Louis may include:

• Yard maintenance and plant care
• Seasonal maintenance services
• Replacement policies
• Long-term care recommendations
• A final property walk-through
• On-site management and supervision for larger projects

Ask whether the company can develop a maintenance plan or service schedule for your property. Understanding these requirements beforehand helps protect your landscape investment.

8. Who Do I Contact With Questions or Concerns?

Ask who your primary point of contact will be during the project if questions, concerns, delays, or unexpected issues arise during or after installation.

Poor communication, vague answers about the project's scope, or an unwillingness to discuss potential issues can be red flags. Look for a landscape partner that prioritizes transparency and keeps you informed throughout the process.

Ask the Right Questions Before You Start

Choosing a landscape company is an important decision, especially when you're investing in a major outdoor renovation. Asking questions upfront can help you compare companies, establish realistic expectations, and find professionals who understand your goals.

At Poynter, we work with homeowners throughout St. Louis and surrounding communities to create outdoor spaces designed around each property's unique conditions and the homeowner's vision. From landscape design and plantings to patios, retaining walls, drainage, lighting, and complete outdoor living spaces, our team can help guide your project from the initial assessment through installation.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start discussing what's possible for your property.

FAQs

What do I need to know before hiring a landscaper?

Before hiring a landscaper, ask about insurance, qualifications, previous work, services, warranties, project timelines, costs, and maintenance. You should also clearly communicate your budget, goals, and expectations before agreeing to a project's scope.

How do I choose a good landscaper?

Choose a landscaper whose experience, services, budget requirements, and timeline align with your project. Reputable landscapers should be able to provide examples of previous work, explain their process clearly, carry appropriate insurance, and maintain good communication from consultation through completion.

What does a landscaper need to know before a project?

Your landscaper needs to understand your budget, timeline, project goals, maintenance expectations, and preferences for plants, materials, and design styles. Sharing how you plan to use the space can also help your landscape designer create a more functional, personalized design.