Why asking the right questions matters
A good landscaper can transform your outdoor area, but not every job is as simple as planting a few shrubs. In New Zealand, landscaping projects can involve drainage, retaining walls, paving, irrigation, excavation, fencing, lighting and sometimes building or plumbing-related work. That means the wrong hire can lead to cost blowouts, delays, council issues, poor workmanship or garden failures that cost more to fix later.
Asking the right questions before you hire helps you:
- confirm the landscaper has the right experience for your type of project - understand whether any parts of the job need consent or specialist trades - compare quotes fairly, not just on price - spot vague answers, hidden costs and unrealistic timelines - check whether they stand behind their work
A reputable landscaper should be happy to answer detailed questions and put key terms in writing.
1) What type of landscaping work do you usually do?
Start by checking whether the landscaper’s experience matches your job. Landscaping can range from soft landscaping, like planting and lawns, through to hard landscaping, like paving, decks, retaining walls, steps and drainage.
Ask:
- Do you mainly do soft landscaping, hard landscaping, or both? - Have you completed projects similar to mine in size and complexity? - Do you work on residential properties, lifestyle blocks, or commercial sites? - Can you handle the full job, or will parts need subcontractors?
Why this matters in NZ:
- Auckland, Wellington and other urban areas often have tighter access, clay soils, steep sections or drainage challenges. - In many parts of the country, weather and soil conditions affect planting, drainage and earthworks decisions. - Coastal sites may need salt-tolerant planting and more durable materials.
A landscaper who regularly works on similar sites is more likely to understand local conditions and avoid costly mistakes.
2) Can you show me examples of recent work and references?
Photos are useful, but they do not tell you everything. Ask for recent jobs that are similar to yours, then follow up with references.
Ask:
- Can I see photos of recent completed projects? - Do you have any local references I can contact? - Are there examples of jobs that were finished one or two years ago, not just brand-new work? - Can I visit a completed project if the owner agrees?
When speaking to references, ask:
- Was the work completed on time and on budget? - Was the communication clear? - Did the landscaper deal well with changes or problems? - How has the work held up after a season or two?
This is particularly helpful for paving, retaining walls, irrigation and planting, because the real quality often shows months later.
3) Are you licensed or qualified for any parts of the work?
Landscaping itself is not a licensed trade in New Zealand, but parts of the job may fall under regulated work or require specific competence.
Ask:
- Are any parts of this project restricted work or specialist work? - Will you use qualified subcontractors for plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying, electrical or building work where needed? - Can you provide licence details for any specialist trades you use?
Key NZ rules to know:
| Work type | What to check | |---|---| | Electrical work | Must be done by, or under the supervision of, a person authorised under the Electrical Workers Registration Board (EWRB) framework. | | Plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying | Restricted work under the Plumbers, Gasfitters and Drainlayers Board (PGDB). Check registration and licensing. | | Building work | Some work may require consent from your local council, particularly retaining walls, decks, structures, and alterations that affect drainage or foundations. | | Earthworks and drainage | May trigger council rules, site-specific requirements or resource consent, depending on location and scale. |
If the landscaper suggests “it won’t need consent”, do not rely on that alone. Ask them to explain why, and check with your local council if the work is near the thresholds or involves retaining walls, significant excavation, stormwater changes or structures.
4) Are you insured, and what does your cover include?
Insurance is one of the most important questions to ask. You want to know what happens if there is accidental damage, theft, injury or a workmanship issue.
Ask:
- Do you have public liability insurance? - Do you have contract works insurance for this project? - Are your employees covered by workers’ compensation or equivalent cover? - Who is responsible for tools, plants, materials and site security? - Are subcontractors insured as well?
Also ask for proof of current insurance, not just a verbal confirmation.
Why this matters:
- Landscaping often involves digging near services, moving heavy materials and using machinery. - Damage to driveways, underground pipes, neighbouring property or existing features can become expensive quickly. - If the site is left open overnight, weather or tampering can cause problems.
If the job involves retaining walls, excavation or drainage, insurance becomes even more important because the risk profile is higher.
5) What is included in your quote, and what is not?
A detailed written quote is essential. A cheap quote may leave out important items such as disposal, site preparation, finishing, sealing or plant replacement.
Ask:
- Is this a fixed price or an estimate? - What exactly is included in the price? - What is excluded? - Are GST and delivery charges included? - Does the quote cover labour, materials, machinery hire and waste removal? - Are council fees, engineer reports or consent costs included?
A good quote should spell out:
- site visit and design work, if any - excavation and preparation - materials, including brand or product details where relevant - planting sizes and quantities - irrigation, drainage, paving, edging or retaining work - clean-up and rubbish removal - any allowances or provisional sums
Be careful with vague wording such as “as required”, “subject to site conditions” or “allowance for materials”. These can be reasonable in some cases, but they should be explained clearly.
Smart quote checks
Use this quick checklist when comparing quotes:
- Are all quotes based on the same scope? - Have each of them allowed for the same materials and plant sizes? - Are they itemised enough to compare properly? - Have they included GST? - Is there a clear variation process if the scope changes?
Getting at least three written quotes is usually the best way to understand the market and avoid paying too much or choosing based on incomplete information.
6) How will you handle changes, extras and unexpected issues?
Landscaping projects often uncover surprises once digging starts, especially on older properties or steep sites. You need to know how changes will be managed before the job begins.
Ask:
- What happens if you find poor drainage, soft ground, clay, hidden services or unusable soil? - How do you price variations? - Will you get my approval before doing any extra work? - How will changes be documented?
You should expect variations to be written down, with the cost impact explained before the work proceeds. This protects both you and the landscaper.
It is also worth asking whether the landscaper will contact utility location services before excavation and how underground cables, gas lines or water pipes will be checked.
7) What is the expected timeline and work programme?
Good timing matters in landscaping, especially for planting and lawn establishment. In many parts of New Zealand, winter rain can slow earthworks and spring and summer are busy periods for landscapers.
Ask:
- When can you start? - How long will the project take? - What does the work programme look like? - Will you be on site every day, or will the job happen in stages? - How do weather delays affect the schedule? - Are there long lead times for materials or plants?
For planting jobs, ask about the best season for your chosen plants. In most of NZ, autumn and spring are often good planting windows, but the right timing depends on the plant species, soil and local climate.
If the project involves concrete, paving or retaining walls, factor in curing time and weather protection. A realistic timeline is usually more trustworthy than an overly fast one.
8) Who will actually do the work?
Some landscapers do all the work themselves, while others manage a team or subcontract parts of the job.
Ask:
- Will you be on site personally? - Who is supervising the project? - How many people will be on the crew? - Do you use subcontractors, and if so, for what tasks? - Who is my main contact for questions or decisions?
This matters because communication can break down when the person who quoted the job is not the one doing the work. You want to know who is accountable for quality and day-to-day decisions.
9) What guarantees or warranties do you offer?
Not every landscape element can be guaranteed in the same way, but you should still ask what support is offered if something goes wrong.
Ask:
- Do you offer any workmanship guarantee? - Is there a written warranty period? - What is covered and what is excluded? - Do plants come with a replacement guarantee, and for how long? - What maintenance is required for the guarantee to remain valid?
Be realistic about plant warranties. Plants can fail for reasons outside the landscaper’s control, such as drought, frost, poor aftercare, pests or irrigation issues. A good landscaper should clearly explain what is and is not covered.
For hard landscaping, ask whether there is a guarantee against defects such as loose paving, drainage problems or structural failure, and get the terms in writing.
10) What maintenance will be needed after the job is finished?
Even the best landscape needs aftercare. If the landscaper creates a beautiful garden but does not explain maintenance, you may undo the result through poor watering, pruning or feeding.
Ask:
- What maintenance will this new landscape need in the first 3 to 12 months? - How often should I water, fertilise or mulch? - Do you provide an aftercare guide? - Can you return for a follow-up visit if needed? - Are there ongoing maintenance services available?
This is especially useful if you are installing a new lawn, native planting, irrigation or a garden that needs regular pruning.
11) How do you communicate during the job?
Clear communication helps avoid misunderstandings and delays.
Ask:
- How often will you update me? - Will I get updates by phone, email or text? - What happens if I am not home during the work? - Who approves substitutions if a material is unavailable? - How quickly do you respond to questions?
You want a landscaper who communicates clearly before the job starts and stays responsive once the work is underway.
12) What should be in the written agreement?
Before you hire, make sure the final agreement reflects the quote and any promises made during discussions.
Your written contract or job agreement should include:
- full scope of work - quoted price and whether it includes GST - start and finish dates, or a realistic schedule - payment terms and deposit amount - how variations will be handled - who is responsible for consents, approvals and site checks - insurance details - guarantees or warranty terms - cleanup and handover expectations
In New Zealand, avoid paying a large deposit unless there is a clear reason for it. A reasonable deposit can help secure materials or book time, but it should be proportionate to the job.
A quick checklist before you sign
Before you commit, make sure you have:
- at least three written quotes - checked references from recent NZ jobs - confirmed whether any specialist licences are needed for electrical, plumbing, gasfitting, drainlaying or building-related work - asked whether council consent may be required - seen proof of insurance - understood what is included and excluded in the quote - agreed on a timeline and communication plan - confirmed guarantee or warranty terms in writing
Final thoughts
The best landscaper for your project is not always the cheapest one. In New Zealand, the safest choice is usually the person who understands local conditions, gives clear written quotes, has the right insurance and uses properly qualified trades where required. Ask these questions before you hire, and you will have a much better chance of getting a landscape that looks good, lasts well and stays within budget.