What Is Landscaping Services Contract?

A landscaping contract, also known as a landscaping services contract, is a legal tool entered into by a landscaping contractor and a client. The agreement stipulates payment terms, types of services provided, party contact information, and how to handle legal disputes. It becomes legally enforceable and mutually agreed upon when both parties sign a landscaping contract.

In addition, landscaping contractors perform immense work that extends far beyond, and naturally establish relationships with their clients with a landscaping contract. These creative experts may grade the land, install irrigation fixtures, and design aesthetically-pleasing lawns and gardens. They usually operate as sole-proprietorships or limited liability corporations.

Per se, it is important that landscaping contractors not only know how to negotiate a contract but also have a dependable, enforceable document in place.

What Is a Landscaping Services?

A landscaping service is in charge of envisioning unique outdoor spaces and working with other landscape professionals to turn their visions into gardens and public parks for people to enjoy. Their obligations include planting flowers and trees, trimming shrubbery and overseeing the installation of fountains, benches, fences, and walking paths.

Meanwhile, a landscaping contractor offers work to a property owner where there is the need to set the agreement up according to the jurisdiction of the state and the job at hand. It is standard to ask clients to sign a landscaping contract and is nothing out of the ordinary. Make sure to provide as many details as rational to accomplish the primary objectives of the agreement.

While the Landscaper position often includes planting trees, shrubs, and flowers to either enhance an existing outdoor space or create a new one, some positions also handle grading and installing lawns or constructing hardscapes such as decks, walkways, and patios while others help with installing sprinkler or lighting systems. Furthermore, landscapers can be employed in several commercial and residential settings like motels, office buildings, shopping malls, homes, and apartment buildings.

The particular skills required from a Landscaper can vary from employer to employer, moreover, job descriptions for a Landscaper may contain the following skills and qualifications:

The Benefits of a Landscaping Contract Include:

A reasonable and enforceable contract is vital to have in place when beginning a new project whether you are a landscaper or a customer. Ensure that it addresses any issues that could arise while having the basic working requirements of a contract. Also, if you need direct legal advice, seek assistance from a contract lawyer in your state.

Elements of the Landscaping Contract:

A landscaping contract should contain various essential elements in order to make it executory and lawful. Instead of having complicated legal language, the more easily clients and contractors understand the agreed-upon terms, the fewer arguments may arise in the future.

In addition to simple language, you should integrate the following elements into the landscaping contract:

You may need to put additional sections to your landscaping services agreement depending on where you live and the services you provide. The biggest mistake to avoid does not include enough information or overwhelming customers. To help you handle your contract’s particulars always seek legal advice from a licensed contract lawyer in your state.

What Should the Landscaping Services Contract Contain?

In consideration of the mutual pledges and promises made by the parties hereto, the Landscaper and the Client promise and agree as follows:

The Property. The location at which the Landscaper shall perform such services is located at the address of the client. The Client permits and represents that the Client either owns the Property holds the authority to engage the Landscaper for the Landscaping Services requested on the Property.Term. The Landscaper shall perform the Landscaping Services described herein once every agreed date and time. a) Either Party may cancel this Agreement for any reason within a particular number of days written notice to the other Party.Landscaping Services. The Landscaper agrees that it shall accomplish the landscaping services described according to the attached hereto—the Landscaping Services. The cost of services and/or materials may increase in any case the Client changes the scope of the Landscaping Services after executing this Agreement. The nature of the landscaping services to be rendered will likely vary suggestively from client to client. It can be written in plain language on the Exhibit A provided at the end of the landscape services contract. Legalese isn’t important. You just need to have a mutual decision with your client of the services to be rendered.Compensation. The Client shall pay the Landscaper based on the rate per hour plus the cost of materials in consideration for the Consulting Services. The Landscaper shall invoice the Client once in every specific time and such invoices shall be due and payable within a specific number of days of the Client’s receipt of the invoice. This landscape services contract is written in a manner such that the landscaping services will be maintained at an hourly rate over a designated period of time. Nevertheless, clients will possibly want an estimated monthly or yearly estimate of the total cost so that is provided here separately while still allowing for different invoicing timeframes.Client Responsibilities. The Client shall be responsible for the following to ensure the Landscape Services are adequately performed: Precisely apprise the Landscaper as to the property lines of the Property to ensure the Landscaper does not intrude on any third party’s property. Accurately apprise the Landscaper as to any subsurface utility and service lines like electrical, telephone, and gas lines.Landscaper Responsibilities. In executing the Landscaping Services, the Landscaper shall be responsible for the following: a) Acquiring any permits required to perform the Landscaping Services. b) Oversight of the materials to be purchased to perform the Landscaping Services. c) Clean the Property and remove all debris after performing the Landscaping Services. d) Obtaining liability insurance in a minimum amount per occurrence for bodily injury, death, and property damage.Promotion. The Client hereby approves the Landscaper to take photographs of the Client’s property for the use of advertising and promoting the Landscaper’s Landscaping Services at the Landscaper’s discretion and grants the Landscaper the sole right in the intellectual property of any such photographs.Indemnification. The Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and protect the Landscaper from and against all lawsuits and costs of every kind pertaining to the Landscaping Services, any false information delivered by the Client pertaining to the Property, or failure to deliver relevant information by the Client. By way of example, in the event a third party sues the Landscaper after slipping and falling in the Client’s property and blames the landscaping design, then the Client will cover the costs to the Landscaper in such an action.No Modification Unless in Writing. No modification of this Agreement shall be legal unless in writing and agreed upon by both Parties.Applicable Law. The Consulting Agreement and the interpretation of its terms shall be ruled by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state and subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts.Lawn Care Contracts vs Landscaping Contracts. The difference between lawn care contracts vs. landscaping contracts comprises the payment or subscription services you offer, the types of services involved, or if you are working as part of a roofing contract or construction contract already in existence. Landscaping contracts are diverse compared to lawn care contracts that address specific services, such as mowing, mulching, and pest control. Landscapers may engage in irrigation, land grading, and material work, meaning that the work is more complicated.

Per se, note a few differences as listed below:

FAQs

What are the landscaper responsibilities?

The Landscaper position is characteristically under the direction of Professional Grounds Managers and completes a variety of tasks to achieve a practical and pleasant outdoor area. They may also care for indoor plants and garden in public and commercial facilities such as botanical gardens, malls, and hotels. Their job description may contain the following duties and responsibilities: mowing, edging and fertilizing lawns; weeding and mulching landscape beds; trimming small trees, hedges and shrubs; removing unwanted, dead or damaged trees; planting shrubs, flowers and trees; watering gardens, lawns and landscapes and; monitoring and maintaining plant health. Landscapers typically work for local governments or landscaping companies to design aesthetic outdoor spaces. They make use of their knowledge of horticulture and eye for design to contribute to their art and ideas. Their job is to maintain relationships with plant nurseries and garden supply companies, travel to landscaping sites and work with other landscaping professionals to attain their goals. They may also perform general preservation tasks like raking leaves, administering pesticides, deadheading flowers, and mowing lawns.

What is the variance between rough grade and final grade?

Rough grading is a clay/dirt grading which creates the slope of the property, which is finished before any of the final elements of the landscape can be installed. Rough grade is naturally completed by the home builder. The final grade is the grading of the property that starts the final shape and elevation of the property, and then followed by the installation of the grass, hardscaping, and plant material. Final grade is finalized by a landscaper.

How much does the landscaping cost?

The cost of landscaping depends upon the type of services that is requested as well as whether there will be an ongoing maintenance. While the national average of annual landscaping costs is around $14,000, this number may be higher or lower depending upon your needs. It is best to always get several bids on a project before selecting a provider.

Do contractors expect you to negotiate?

If they are competing for a job, many general contractors are willing to negotiate their prices and terms. It is helpful to be straightforward with contractors and let them know what you expect from the process. Also, do not forget to prepare to answer the contractor’s questions, as this will help craft a more careful estimation.

How much does professional landscaping cost?

There are innumerable variables that go into quoting landscaping projects of any size. The best way to receive an exact estimate for your project is to contact one for a quote. Landscaping services can inspect your property in-person and work with you to provide an informed estimate, with no pressure to start right away. Additionally, a budget of $15,000 for a new build landscape that sees your architectural guidelines is a healthy starting point for your project. However, renovation projects normally cost more due to the removal component of your existing landscape.

What is the Landscape Design Process?

The primary consultation entails an onsite meeting to hear your ideas/vision for the property.

Deliberate possibilities for the site based upon your wishes and budget. Upon mutual determination that you have a good basis for partnership, the service will prepare a design services proposal indicating the scope of work and the estimated fees for the project.

Adjustment of all input from the consultation, review of budget discussion, favorite photos/gardens, and determination of a color palette for the garden.

Site analysis & base map preparation—includes measuring site, analyzing soil, taking photographs, conducting building code research, observing sun/shade/wind patterns, noting drainage issues/noise problems/privacy issues, and identifying plant material to be retained/removed/relocated.

Concept sketches and client review. Once the service completes the base plan, they will develop more ideas for you to review. They may also look at examples from books or photographs to help select a design concept and direction.

Preliminary plan development and client review. Determine final location and design for all desired site elements, including patios/decking, walkways, fences, arbors, play areas, outdoor kitchens/eating areas, pool/spa/water features, lawn and planting beds, trees and general plant materials. Choose the building material specifications for the hardscape elements and develop landscape lighting plan, if looked-for.

Planting plan development and client review. Develop plan showing definite location of all plant material, including botanical and common names, quantity and size of each plant selected. Include picture report of all plants.

Master plan preparation. For the final conceptual plan, it may contain any or all of the following: demolition plan, hardscape plan with building materials legend, construction notes/details, lighting plan, planting plan and proposed irrigation zoning plan.

The main purpose of having Landscaping Services Contract is to make sure everything is done correctly by professionals. While landscaping can protect natural waterways, rejuvenate wetlands, and create rain gardens, it can also be of help with regards the water drainage solutions. This in turn will encourage biodiversity and control floods.

One of the smartest ways to utilize spaces is creating good places for people to enjoy their leisure activities. Through this, everyone can enjoy an environment that supplies a certain amount of joy and relaxation.