A landscaping contract protects both you and your customer. It defines the scope of work, pricing, payment terms, schedule, and what happens when things change. Use our free agreement builder to create a professional, customizable contract for any landscaping job.
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A complete landscaping contract covers every aspect of the project from start to finish. Skipping sections leaves you exposed to disputes, nonpayment, and liability. Here is what every landscaping contract should contain:
Full legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails for both the contractor and the customer. Include your business license number and insurance information.
A detailed list of every service to be performed, every area of the property included, all materials and equipment, and a clear statement of what is excluded from the agreement.
Estimated start and completion dates, working hours, weather delay policy, and conditions that may extend the project timeline.
Total project price, deposit amount and due date, payment schedule (deposit plus final, milestone, or monthly), accepted payment methods, late fees, and returned check fees.
A clause stating that any work beyond the written scope requires written approval from both parties and may result in additional charges or schedule changes.
Customer responsibility for marking private utilities, irrigation lines, invisible fences, and septic systems. Permission for the crew to access the work area during scheduled hours.
What is and is not covered under warranty, the warranty duration, and the customer's responsibilities for watering, fertilizing, and maintaining installed plants and materials.
Protection against pre-existing conditions, unmarked utilities, weather damage, and third-party interference. Limit your liability to the total contract price.
Required notice period, deposit refundability, payment for work already completed, and any material restocking fees.
Contractor and customer names, signatures, and dates. Both parties should retain a signed copy of the agreement before work begins.
For small recurring jobs like weekly mowing, a simple service agreement covering payment terms and cancellation is usually enough. For larger projects — installations, hardscaping, cleanup, design — a full written contract is strongly recommended. Written agreements protect you from nonpayment disputes and define expectations clearly for both sides.
A written and signed landscaping contract is generally legally binding if it includes the essential elements of a contract: offer, acceptance, and consideration (something of value exchanged). However, enforceability depends on state laws and the specific language used. Have an attorney review important contracts before relying on them in court.
Yes. Requiring a deposit is standard practice in the landscaping industry. Most contractors require 25% to 50% of the total project price before work begins. The deposit covers material costs and reserves your schedule. Clearly state in the contract whether the deposit is refundable and under what conditions.
With a signed contract, you have several options: send a formal demand letter, file a claim in small claims court, or hire a collections attorney. In some states, contractors can place a mechanic's lien on the property for unpaid work. The likelihood of recovery is much higher when you have a written, signed contract documenting the agreed price.
Use a written change order for any work requested beyond the original scope. The change order should describe the additional work, the added cost, and the impact on the project timeline. Both parties should sign it before you begin the additional work. Our agreement builder includes a standard change order clause.
Free, customizable, and downloadable as a PDF. Includes all essential sections for professional landscaping projects.
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