Why checking a landscaper matters
Hiring a landscaper is about more than getting a nice garden design. Depending on the job, they may be shaping ground, building retaining walls, laying paving, installing irrigation, or coordinating electricians, plumbers or drainlayers. In New Zealand, some of those tasks can trigger council consent requirements or restricted trade work rules.
Checking a landscaper’s qualifications and credentials helps you avoid:
- unsafe or non-compliant work - costly fixes if work fails or is not built to standard - delays if a council requires consent or inspections - disputes over who is responsible for subcontracted trade work - insurance problems if damage or injury occurs
A good landscaper will be upfront about what they can do themselves, what they subcontract, and whether any parts of the job need a licensed professional.
Understand what landscaping work is — and what may be regulated
In NZ, “landscaper” is not a single protected trade in the same way as electrical work or plumbing. That means many landscapers operate as general contractors, designers or outdoor construction specialists without a specific government-issued landscaping licence.
However, landscaping projects often include work that is regulated or subject to council approval.
Common parts of landscaping that may be regulated
| Work type | What to check | |---|---| | Electrical for outdoor lighting, pumps or heated features | Must be carried out by a suitably licensed electrician or electrical inspector under the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) system | | Plumbing, gas fitting or drainlaying | Restricted work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB) | | Retaining walls, decks, pergolas, fences, sleepouts or major structural features | May need building consent from the local council depending on size, height, design and site conditions | | Earthworks, drainage changes or work near waterways | May need council approval, resource consent or careful erosion/stormwater management | | Work affecting shared boundaries or easements | May involve neighbour agreements, title checks or council rules |
If a landscaper says they can handle everything, ask exactly who will do the regulated parts and whether that person is properly licensed.
Check whether the landscaper has the right experience and training
Because landscaping is not a single regulated trade, you’re usually checking for a mix of practical experience, industry training and relevant specialist licences.
Look for:
- a history of similar projects in NZ conditions - a portfolio with completed local jobs - trade or construction qualifications relevant to the work, such as landscape construction, horticulture, horticulture-related certificates, carpentry, or hardscape skills - membership of a recognised industry body, where relevant - subcontractor details for any specialist work
Ask what training they have completed and how it applies to your project. For example, someone who mainly does planting and garden maintenance may not be the right choice for a large retaining wall or complex drainage job.
Useful question to ask: “Have you done projects like this in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, or my region before, including the local soil and weather conditions?”
Verify licences for any restricted trade work
If your landscaping job includes electrical, plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work, don’t take a verbal assurance at face value. Ask for the licence number and verify it directly.
1) Electrical work: check the EWRB register
Outdoor lighting, pond pumps, spa connections and similar work must be done by a person appropriately authorised under the Electricity Act framework. A registered electrician or electrician trainee cannot necessarily carry out all work on their own, and some work must be completed and certified by a licensed person.
How to check:
- ask for the electrician’s name and registration number - verify them on the Electrical Workers Registration Board register - ask for a Certificate of Compliance or other required documentation where applicable
Red flag: a landscaper offering to install hard-wired lights or outdoor power without involving a licensed electrician.
2) Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying: check the PGDB register
If the job includes irrigation tie-ins, drains, stormwater connections, water features, gas barbeque plumbing, or modifying pipework, the relevant person may need to be licensed under the PGDB system.
How to check:
- ask for the person’s licence number and class of work - verify it on the PGDB public register - confirm they are licensed for the exact type of work, not just “in the industry”
Red flag: “We can sort the drainage ourselves” when the person is not a licensed drainlayer.
3) Building work: confirm whether a council consent is needed
Many landscaping jobs do not need a building consent, but some do. Retaining walls, raised decks, stair structures, pergolas, heavy screening, and anything supporting load or changing ground stability can fall into this area.
How to check:
- ask the landscaper whether they have checked the proposal against your local council rules - ask if they will prepare or manage the consent application if required - request drawings, specs and producer statements where relevant
If the work is close to a boundary, near a slope, or in a known geotechnical risk area, be extra cautious. A retaining wall that looks straightforward can still require engineering input or consent.
What to ask before you hire
Use a written checklist. A professional landscaper should be happy to answer these questions clearly.
- What exactly is included in your quote? - Which parts of the job will you do yourself, and which will be subcontracted? - Are you licensed for any plumbing, drainlaying, electrical or gas work involved? - Have you done this kind of work in NZ conditions before? - Will this project need building consent, resource consent or a council permit? - Do you carry public liability insurance and, if relevant, contract works insurance? - Can you provide references from recent local clients? - What warranties or maintenance instructions come with the work?
A qualified contractor should not get defensive about these questions. The more complex the job, the more important it is to ask them.
Check insurance, business details and references
Licensing is only one part of due diligence. You also want to know the business is real, current and insured.
Ask for proof of insurance
At minimum, confirm whether they have:
- public liability insurance - cover for tools and plant, if relevant - contract works insurance for larger projects - workers’ compensation arrangements, if they employ staff or contractors, where applicable
You do not need to accept a vague “yes, we’re insured”. Ask for the certificate of currency and check the dates.
Confirm the business identity
Check:
- the legal business name and NZBN - whether the quote and invoice match the same entity - a physical address, not just a mobile number - a website, landline or professional email address
This matters if you need to chase defects later or make an insurance claim.
Call references the right way
Ask for two or three recent clients with similar work. When you call, ask:
- Was the job finished on time and on budget? - Was the site kept tidy and safe? - Did the landscaper handle drainage, slopes or consents properly? - Would you hire them again?
Photos alone are not enough. A few recent local references are more useful than a polished Instagram feed.
Know the warning signs
Watch out for these common red flags:
- refuses to put the quote in writing - says consent or permits are “not needed” without checking your council rules - won’t provide licence numbers for regulated work - asks for a large cash deposit upfront with no contract - has no fixed address, no invoice details or no GST number where applicable - pressures you to start before you’ve checked council or insurance requirements - offers to do electrical or plumbing work “on the side” without a licensed subcontractor
If anything feels vague, slow down. The cheapest quote can become the most expensive if the job has to be dug up and redone.
Get multiple written quotes and compare properly
For landscaping, especially hard landscaping or projects involving retaining walls, drainage or paving, get at least three written quotes.
Compare them on more than price:
- scope of work - materials and brands specified - who is responsible for consent and inspections - start and finish dates - payment schedule - warranty or defects period - whether GST is included - whether skip bins, excavation, cartage and disposal are included
A detailed quote protects both sides. If one quote is much lower than the others, check whether it has missed compliance costs, excavation, drainage, or subcontractor work.
Why this matters for NZ homeowners
New Zealand’s weather, soils and housing stock create specific risks for landscaping jobs. Heavy rain, clay soils, steep sections, coastal exposure and older retaining structures can all affect how a job performs over time.
That’s why compliance matters:
- poor drainage can cause water ingress, subsidence or boundary disputes - unsafe retaining walls can fail after heavy rain - unlicensed electrical or plumbing work can create hazards and void insurance cover - council enforcement can be expensive if a structure was built without the right consent
A well-qualified landscaper understands local conditions, uses the right subcontractors, and knows when to stop and ask for council or engineering advice.
A simple checklist before you sign
Before you accept a quote, make sure you have:
- a written scope of work - the landscaper’s full business details - any relevant licence numbers for electrical, plumbing, gasfitting or drainlaying work - confirmation of whether council consent is needed - proof of insurance - at least two comparable written quotes - references from recent NZ clients
If the work is straightforward garden planting or maintenance, the risk may be low. But once your project involves structures, drainage or services, checking credentials becomes essential.
The safest approach is simple: verify the right licences for restricted work, confirm insurance, and choose a landscaper who is willing to explain compliance clearly before they start.