How to Choose a Landscaper: 10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Hiring a landscaper is one of the most significant home improvement decisions you will make. A good landscaper transforms your outdoor space into something special; a poor choice can result in wasted money, substandard work, and years of regret. In Adelaide’s competitive landscaping market, there are many excellent professionals—but also some who cut corners, underquote to win work, or lack the skills for complex projects.

Asking the right questions before you commit protects your investment and ensures you get the result you deserve. For a broader overview of what to look for, see our comprehensive guide to choosing a landscaper.

Question 1: Are You Licensed and Insured?

This is the most important question and should be asked first. In South Australia, landscaping work that constitutes building work over $5,000 requires a building work licence. All landscapers should carry public liability insurance (minimum $5 million) and workers’ compensation insurance.

Ask to see certificates of currency—not just policy numbers. A reputable landscaper will not be offended by this request. For more on licensing requirements, see our guide on landscaper licensing in SA.

Question 2: Can You Show Me Examples of Similar Projects?

Every landscaper has strengths. Some excel at modern, architectural landscapes; others specialise in native gardens or construction-heavy projects. Ask to see examples of work similar to what you are planning, preferably in Adelaide so you can see how the work has weathered local conditions.

Better yet, ask if you can visit a completed project in person. Photos can be misleading—seeing the quality of workmanship up close tells you far more.

Question 3: Will You Provide a Detailed Written Quote?

A professional quote should itemise:

• All materials with quantities, brands, and specifications
• Labour costs broken down by trade if applicable
• Site preparation and clean-up costs
• A clear description of what is and is not included
• Timeline with key milestones
• Payment schedule (never pay 100% upfront)
• Validity period for the quote

Beware of vague, one-line quotes. If a landscaper cannot articulate exactly what they will do and what it will cost, that is a significant red flag.

Question 4: What Is Your Payment Schedule?

Industry standard payment terms in Adelaide typically involve a deposit of 10–20% to secure the booking and order materials, followed by progress payments at agreed milestones, with a final payment of 10–20% upon completion and your satisfaction.

Never pay more than 10–20% upfront. Never pay in full before work is complete. If a landscaper demands large upfront payments, walk away.

Question 5: Who Will Actually Be Doing the Work?

Some landscaping companies send different crews to different jobs, and quality can vary. Ask who will be on-site managing your project and whether subcontractors will be used. It is reasonable to want to know who will be working on your property.

Question 6: How Do You Handle Variations and Unexpected Issues?

Adelaide’s clay soils, hidden rock, and older properties can throw up surprises during construction. A professional landscaper will explain their process for handling unforeseen issues, including how they will communicate changes and get your approval before incurring additional costs.

Your contract should include a variation process that requires your written approval for any changes that affect cost or scope.

Question 7: What Warranty Do You Provide?

Ask about warranty coverage for both workmanship and materials. In South Australia, statutory warranties apply to licensed building work, but many landscapers offer additional warranties. Common warranty periods include:

• Structural work (retaining walls, paving): 5–7 years
• Irrigation systems: 1–2 years
• Plant establishment: 3–12 months (varies by landscaper)
• Turf establishment: 4–12 weeks

Question 8: What Is Your Realistic Timeline?

Good landscapers in Adelaide are busy, and a wait of 4–12 weeks before starting is normal. Be wary of landscapers who can start immediately—it may indicate they struggle to retain clients. Ask for a realistic timeline including potential weather delays and material lead times.

Question 9: Do You Handle Council Approvals?

If your project involves retaining walls over 1 metre, structures, or significant changes to drainage, council approval may be required. An experienced landscaper will know what requires approval and ideally handle the application process on your behalf or guide you through it.

Question 10: Can You Provide References from Recent Adelaide Projects?

References from the past 6–12 months are most valuable. Contact at least two references and ask about communication, timeliness, quality, budget adherence, and whether they would hire the landscaper again.

Red Flags to Watch For

• No licence or insurance, or refusal to provide proof
• Pressure to sign immediately or pay large deposits
• No written contract or extremely vague quotes
• Reluctance to provide references
• Quotes significantly below other comparable quotes (undercutting often leads to corners being cut)
• Poor communication or unreturned calls during the quoting process
• No physical business address or ABN

Getting Multiple Quotes

Always get at least three quotes for significant landscaping work. This helps you understand the market rate and compare approaches. When reviewing quotes, compare like with like—the cheapest quote may use inferior materials or skip critical steps. To understand typical Adelaide pricing, see our landscaping cost guide.

Comparing Quotes Effectively

Comparing landscaping quotes is not as simple as choosing the lowest number. Adelaide homeowners frequently make the mistake of selecting the cheapest quote only to discover that critical elements were excluded, materials were inferior, or the quote was deliberately low to win the work with the intention of adding costly variations during construction.

To compare quotes fairly, create a simple spreadsheet listing the key elements of your project and check whether each quote includes or excludes them. Common items that some quotes include and others exclude are site preparation and cleanup, removal and disposal of existing materials, soil preparation and amendment, mulching after planting, irrigation system installation, garden lighting, retaining wall drainage, and engineering certification for structural elements.

Ask each landscaper to provide a materials schedule listing the specific products, brands, and quantities they will use. This allows you to verify quality and compare like with like. For example, one quote might specify genuine Austral Bricks pavers while another specifies a cheaper imported alternative—both described simply as “clay pavers” in the quote summary.

Understanding the Contract

For any landscaping work over $5,000 in South Australia, a written contract is legally required. Even for smaller jobs, a written agreement protects both parties. A good landscaping contract should include a detailed scope of work with specifications, a fixed price or clear method for calculating final cost, a payment schedule tied to milestones (not dates), a start date and estimated completion date, a variation process requiring your written approval, warranty terms for workmanship and materials, insurance details, and a dispute resolution process.

Read the contract carefully before signing. Pay particular attention to the variation clause—this is where poorly drafted contracts allow costs to escalate. The best contracts require variations to be documented in writing with your approval before any additional cost is incurred.

Do not sign a contract that includes a clause allowing the landscaper to substitute materials at their discretion without your approval. Material substitution is the most common way for quality to slip without the homeowner’s knowledge.

Building a Good Working Relationship

Once you have selected your landscaper, investing in a good working relationship pays dividends throughout the project. Clear, regular communication is the single most important factor in a successful landscaping project. Establish your preferred communication method (phone, email, text) and agree on how frequently you will receive progress updates. A weekly site meeting or call works well for most Adelaide projects. Be available for decisions when they are needed—delays in homeowner decisions are one of the most common causes of project timeline blowouts. Trust your landscaper’s expertise on technical matters while maintaining clear expectations about aesthetic outcomes. If something concerns you during construction, raise it immediately rather than waiting until completion. Early intervention is almost always simpler, cheaper, and less contentious than retrospective correction. Finally, if the landscaper encounters unexpected conditions that require changes, approach the discussion collaboratively rather than adversarially. Adelaide’s variable soils, hidden services, and older properties frequently present surprises that no amount of planning can fully anticipate.

Find Vetted Adelaide Landscapers

Get matched with qualified Adelaide landscapers through our service. All recommended professionals are checked for licensing, insurance, and quality of work, saving you the time and risk of finding contractors on your own. You can compare quotes, review past work, and choose with confidence through our Adelaide landscaping cost resources.