Landscapers in New Zealand are not legally required by law to hold insurance before working on your property — but that doesn't mean you should hire one without it. If something goes wrong on site, you could be left footing the bill for property damage, injuries, or incomplete work. Knowing what to ask for before signing anything can save you a great deal of stress and money.
Why Insurance Matters Even When It's Not Compulsory
Unlike licensed trades such as electricians or plumbers, landscaping is an unregulated trade in New Zealand. There is no licensing body that mandates insurance as a condition of operating. This means anyone can call themselves a landscaper and start work on your property without any financial safety net in place.
If an uninsured landscaper damages your fence, breaks an underground pipe, or injures themselves on your property, you may face unexpected costs — or even a legal dispute. Having a properly insured tradesperson on site protects both of you.
Types of Insurance to Ask About
When vetting a landscaper, ask specifically about the following types of cover:
- Public liability insurance — This is the most important one. It covers damage to your property or injury to a third party caused by the landscaper's work. A minimum of $1 million cover is common; $2 million or more is better for larger jobs.
- Employer's liability / ACC top-up — If the landscaper has employees or subcontractors on site, this covers them if they're injured at work. Note that ACC in New Zealand covers many workplace injuries, but it doesn't cover everything, and gaps can exist.
- Contract works insurance — For larger landscaping projects, this covers the work itself if it's damaged before completion (e.g., by a storm or accidental damage).
- Professional indemnity insurance — More relevant for landscape designers or consultants providing plans and advice, this covers errors in design or professional recommendations.
What to Ask Before Work Starts
Don't be shy about asking a landscaper to provide proof of insurance before any work begins. A reputable tradesperson will have no problem showing you a current certificate of currency from their insurer. Key things to check:
- Is the policy current (not expired)?
- Does the level of cover suit the scale of your job?
- Are subcontractors covered under the same policy, or do they carry their own?
It's also worth asking whether the landscaper is a member of a professional body such as Registered Master Landscapers or Landscape New Zealand, as membership often requires members to hold appropriate insurance.
Your Own Home Insurance — Does It Cover Landscaping Work?
Some homeowners assume their home and contents insurance will cover any damage caused by a contractor. This is not always the case. Many policies have exclusions for damage caused by tradespeople working on your property, or they may require you to pursue the contractor first. Check your policy wording carefully, and contact your insurer if you're unsure.
Building Consents and Landscaping Work
Some landscaping work in New Zealand may require a building consent, depending on what's being built. Retaining walls over a certain height, decks, pergolas, and structures near boundaries can all trigger consent requirements under the NZ Building Code. Schedule 1 of the Building Act lists exemptions for minor work, but the rules can be complex — always check with your local council before work begins.
If consented work is involved, using a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) for restricted building work is a legal requirement, and LBPs are not legally required to hold insurance as a condition of licensing, though it is advisable to confirm whether they carry appropriate cover.
Health and Safety Obligations on Your Property
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, you as a homeowner (as a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, or PCBU) may share some health and safety duties when contractors work on your property. WorkSafe NZ has guidance on what this means in practice. While the primary duty sits with the landscaper, it's another reason to ensure they are operating professionally and have appropriate cover in place.
When to Call a Professional
For any landscaping project beyond basic garden tidying, it pays to hire a qualified, insured professional. This is especially true for:
- Retaining walls, earthworks, or significant grading
- Irrigation systems that connect to your mains water supply (which may involve restricted plumbing work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board)
- Outdoor lighting connected to your home's electrical system (which is restricted electrical work under the Electrical Workers Registration Board)
- Any work requiring a building consent
For these jobs, always verify that the relevant licensed tradesperson — plumber, electrician, or LBP — is carrying out the restricted portions of the work, regardless of who is managing the overall landscaping project.
You can find insured, experienced local landscapers on tradedirectory.co.nz — and don't hesitate to ask them directly about their insurance before getting a quote.
Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP)
