Landscaping Contract Template - Progression Agency

Updated September 2026 · Written and maintained by the Progression Agency strategy team

Most landscaping disputes are scope disputes wearing a payment costume. The client believed something was included; the contractor believed it was extra; nothing written says either way. This page gives you the twelve clauses a landscaping contract needs, sample wording for each, an explanation of what each one prevents, and worked examples of the two documents that stop most arguments before they start — the exclusions list and the change order. It is free to copy. It is not legal advice, and you should have an attorney in your state review it once before you rely on it.

The short answerA landscaping contract needs twelve clauses: parties and property, scope item by item, explicit exclusions, price and payment schedule, change order process, materials and substitution, site access and utility locates, weather and delay, warranty on workmanship and plants, insurance and licensing, termination and deposits, and signatures. The two that prevent the most disputes are the exclusions list and the change order process, and both are commonly missing. Copy the wording below into your own document, have a licensed attorney in your state review it once, then use the same document on every job.

A landscaping contract, in five points — Most landscaping disputes are scope disputes wearing a payment costume. A contract that defines what is included, what is excluded and how changes get priced prevents the majority of them.

12 — Clauses every job needs. Scope through signatures.

Scope — The single most important. Item by item, with quantities.

Exclusions — The most often missed. Say what is NOT included.

Change — In writing, before the work. Verbal changes cause disputes.

Deposit — Define what happens to it. On cancellation, both ways.

Sign — Both parties, dated. Before anything starts.

This page is a template and a checklist, not legal advice, and Progression Agency is not a law firm. Contract law, lien rights, consumer protection rules and licensing requirements vary materially by state. Have a licensed attorney in your state review your contract once before you use it. That single review covers every job afterwards.

Why landscaping contracts go wrong

Answer first: because the scope was described rather than defined, and because changes were agreed verbally. Those two causes account for more than half of landscaping contract disputes.

What landscaping disputes are actually about — More than half of all disputes come from the first two rows, and both are solved by paperwork that takes ten minutes to write and nothing to maintain.

Read that chart and the priority becomes obvious. You do not need a longer contract; you need two specific things in it — a list of what is excluded, and a written process for changes. Everything else on this page is worth having, but those two do most of the work.

The twelve clauses, with sample wording

Clauses a landscaping contract needs — Twelve clauses. A contract missing any of the first five is where the arguments start, and the exclusions clause is the one most often left out entirely.

1. Parties, property and dates

Answer first: name both parties in full, give the property address, and state the intended start and completion dates with the fact that they are estimates.

This Agreement is made on [DATE] between [CONTRACTOR LEGAL NAME], of [ADDRESS], license number [NUMBER] where applicable (“Contractor”), and [CLIENT NAME] of [ADDRESS] (“Client”), for work at [PROPERTY ADDRESS] (“the Property”). Work is scheduled to begin on or about [DATE] and to be substantially complete on or about [DATE]. Dates are estimates and are subject to the weather and delay provisions below.

Use legal entity names rather than trading names. If the client is not the property owner, say who the owner is and confirm authority to instruct the work — this matters more often than people expect on rental and family-owned property.

2. Scope of work, item by item

Answer first: list every item with a quantity or a measurement. A scope that says “landscape the rear garden” is not a scope; it is an invitation to disagree.

Contractor will perform the following at the Property: (a) remove and dispose of [QUANTITY] [ITEM]; (b) supply and install [QUANTITY] [PLANT, SIZE, CONTAINER SIZE]; (c) supply and lay [AREA] of [MATERIAL] to a depth of [DEPTH]; (d) construct [STRUCTURE] measuring [DIMENSIONS] using [MATERIAL]; (e) [FURTHER ITEMS]. Quantities are as stated; variations require a written change order under clause 5.

Quantities or measurements on every line. Square footage, linear feet, plant counts, container sizes, depths.
Specify plant sizes. “Shrub” is not a specification. Container size or calliper is.
Name the materials. Stone type, mulch type, edging material, base depth.
Say what the finished condition is. Graded and raked, swept clean, debris removed.
If a drawing exists, reference it by name and date and attach it as an exhibit.

3. Exclusions — the highest-value ten minutes in the whole document

Answer first: write down what is not included. This single clause prevents roughly a third of all disputes in this trade, and it is the clause most often left out entirely.

The following are expressly excluded from this Agreement and are not included in the Price: irrigation repair or modification; tree work requiring a certified arborist; removal of buried debris, concrete or structures discovered during excavation; soil remediation; drainage work beyond that specified; permits and permit fees unless stated; utility relocation; repair of pre-existing damage; lawn treatment or fertilisation programs; snow removal; and ongoing maintenance of any kind. Work outside this Agreement requires a written change order.

Adapt that list to what you actually do. The test for a good exclusions clause is simple: think of the last three jobs where a client assumed something was included, and put those three things on the list.

4. Price, payment schedule and late payment

Answer first: state the total, the deposit, the milestone payments and what triggers each. Tie milestones to progress rather than to calendar dates alone.

The total Price is $[AMOUNT]. Client shall pay: (a) a deposit of $[AMOUNT] ([PERCENT]%) on signing; (b) $[AMOUNT] on completion of [MILESTONE]; (c) the balance of $[AMOUNT] within [NUMBER] days of substantial completion. Amounts unpaid after [NUMBER] days accrue interest at [RATE] per month or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is lower. Contractor may suspend work on written notice if payment is more than [NUMBER] days overdue.

Deposit — Commonly 25-50%. State the figure and when it is due.

Milestones — Tie to real progress. Not to dates alone.

Final — On completion. Define what completion means.

Late — State the terms. And when work may stop.

Retention — Uncommon residential. Standard on commercial.

Refund — What happens on cancellation. Both directions.

Two practical notes. Interest rates on late payment are capped by state law, so the “or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is lower” phrasing keeps the clause enforceable. And define substantial completion, because “finished” is a matter of opinion and “substantially complete” has an accepted meaning you can point to.

5. Change orders — the second most valuable clause

Answer first: no change happens until it is written down, priced and signed. This is the clause that stops “while you’re here, could you also…” from becoming an unpaid argument three weeks later.

Any change to the scope, materials, quantities or schedule requires a written change order signed by both parties before the changed work begins. Each change order shall state the work added or removed, the price adjustment, and any effect on the completion date. Verbal instructions are not binding on either party. Where a change is required by a condition discovered on site, Contractor will stop work on the affected area and notify Client before proceeding.

A change order form that fits on one page

Change order number and date.
Reference to the original contract by date.
What is being added, removed or altered, with quantities.
The price adjustment, stated as an increase or decrease to the contract total.
The new contract total.
Any change to the completion date.
Both signatures and the date signed.

Keep a pad of these in the truck, or a template on the phone. The friction of producing one is the reason they do not get used, and the cost of not using one is far higher.

6. Materials, plant sourcing and substitution

Answer first: agree in advance what happens when a nursery cannot supply what was specified, because it happens on a meaningful share of jobs.

Materials and plants shall be as specified in the Scope. Where a specified item is unavailable, Contractor will notify Client and propose a substitute of equal or better quality and comparable size. Substitutions require Client approval, which may be given by email. Where a substitute costs more, the difference is handled by change order. Plant sizes are nominal and subject to normal nursery variation.

Plants — Warranty is negotiable. One season is common; state it.

Watering — Usually the client's duty. And usually voids warranty if neglected.

Substitution — Nurseries run out. Agree how substitutes get approved.

Sizes — Specify them. 'Shrub' is not a specification.

Season — Planting windows matter. Note them in the schedule.

Death — Define what is covered. Neglect, drought and vandalism usually are not.

7. Site access, utilities and existing conditions

Answer first: define the access you need, require utility locates before excavation, and record the site’s condition in photographs before work starts.

Client shall provide access to the Property between [HOURS] on working days, including access for vehicles and equipment of up to [DIMENSIONS], and shall provide water and electricity where reasonably required. Contractor will arrange utility locates before excavation and is not responsible for damage to unmarked or incorrectly marked private lines. Contractor will photograph existing conditions before commencing; Client is invited to review those photographs.

Locates — Call before you dig. Utility marking is a legal step.

Access — Define it. Gates, width, surfaces, hours.

Damage — Record the site first. Photographs, dated, before work.

Debris — Say who removes it. And where it goes.

Water — Say who supplies it. And who pays for it.

Parking — Sounds trivial. It is a real cost on urban jobs.

The photographs clause costs nothing and settles the “that crack was already there” conversation immediately. Take them, date them, and keep them with the job file.

8. Weather, delay and suspension

Answer first: say what weather stops work, what happens to the schedule when it does, and that client-caused delay is still delay.

Contractor is not liable for delay caused by weather, ground conditions, material shortages, utility marking delays, permit processing, or acts or omissions of Client or others. Where such delay occurs, the completion date extends by the period of delay plus reasonable time to remobilise. Contractor may suspend work where continuing would risk safety, damage the Property, or produce a substandard result.

Weather — Define what stops work. And what happens to the schedule.

Delay — Whose fault, what follows. Client delay is still delay.

Force majeure — Worth including. Rare, and cheap to have.

Suspension — How work pauses. And how it resumes.

Termination — Both parties. With notice and a settling-up clause.

Disputes — Name the process. Mediation before litigation is common.

9. Warranty on workmanship and plants

Answer first: separate the two. Workmanship warranties and plant warranties cover different things for different periods, and merging them creates arguments.

Contractor warrants workmanship against defects for [PERIOD] from substantial completion. Plant material is warranted for [PERIOD], covering plant failure under normal conditions, and is conditional on Client following the watering and care instructions supplied. The plant warranty excludes loss caused by neglect, drought where watering instructions were not followed, flooding, vandalism, animals, extreme weather, and any subsequent work by others. Warranty claims must be made in writing within [PERIOD] of the condition appearing.

One season is a common plant warranty and it is defensible. Whatever you choose, the important part is that the exclusions are written down — plant warranties fail almost entirely on the watering question, and nobody remembers a verbal instruction about it four months later.

10. Insurance, licensing and subcontractors

Answer first: state your license number where your state requires one, name your insurance cover, and say whether you use subcontractors and who is responsible for them.

Contractor holds general liability insurance of not less than $[AMOUNT] and workers’ compensation insurance as required by law, and will provide certificates on request. Contractor holds license number [NUMBER] where required. Contractor may engage subcontractors and remains responsible for their work under this Agreement.

License — State yours. Where your state requires one.

Insurance — Name the cover. Liability and workers' compensation.

Subs — Say if you use them. And who is responsible for them.

Permits — Say who obtains them. Usually you; state it.

Lien — Know your state's rules. Notice requirements differ widely.

Counsel — One review. In your state, once.

11. Termination, deposits and what happens to the money

Answer first: say what each party may do, on what notice, and exactly how the money is settled — including the deposit, in both directions.

Either party may terminate on [NUMBER] days written notice. On termination Client shall pay for work performed and materials ordered or delivered to the date of termination, less any deposit held. Where the deposit exceeds that amount, Contractor shall refund the difference within [NUMBER] days. Custom-ordered or non-returnable materials are payable in full. Plants installed remain the property of Client on payment.

12. Signatures, and the clause about the whole agreement

Answer first: both parties sign and date, and one short clause states that the written agreement is the whole agreement.

This Agreement, together with any signed change orders and attached exhibits, is the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes any prior discussions, estimates or proposals. It may be amended only in writing signed by both parties. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of [STATE].

Landscaping contracts examples: which form fits which job

Answer first: fixed-price for installs, a recurring service agreement for maintenance, and time and materials only where the scope genuinely cannot be known in advance.

Which contract type fits which job — Most residential landscaping is fixed-price. Maintenance needs a recurring agreement with renewal and termination terms. Time and materials suits work where the scope genuinely cannot be known.

Three contract forms, compared
Form	How it prices	Best for	Risk to contractor	Risk to client
Fixed price	One total for a defined scope	Installs, hardscape, one-off projects	Underestimating the scope	Paying for contingency not used
Recurring service agreement	Monthly or per-visit, with a term	Maintenance, seasonal programs	Cost inflation mid-term	Paying through quiet months
Time and materials	Hourly plus materials at cost or markup	Excavation with unknowns, restoration	Disputes over hours	Open-ended total
Fixed price with allowances	Total, with named sums for undecided items	Jobs where plant choice is undecided	Allowance set too low	Allowance overspend
Unit price	Rate per square foot or per plant	Repetitive work at unknown quantity	Mobilisation not covered	Quantity creep

The conclusion: most residential landscaping should be fixed price with a proper exclusions list. Use allowances rather than time and materials when the uncertainty is about what the client will choose rather than what is under the ground.

Three worked landscaping contracts examples

Answer first: the same twelve clauses, filled in three different ways. These are illustrative examples rather than real client jobs, and the figures are round numbers chosen to show the structure rather than to represent market pricing.

Example 1 — residential planting install, fixed price
Clause	How it is filled in for this job
Scope	Remove 6 shrubs; supply and install 14 shrubs (3-gallon) and 2 trees (2in calliper); 620 sq ft of bed edged and mulched to 3in
Exclusions	Irrigation modification, tree work by arborist, buried debris removal, drainage, permits, lawn treatment, ongoing maintenance
Price	$8,400 total: $2,100 deposit (25%), $3,150 on plant delivery, $3,150 within 14 days of substantial completion
Change orders	Written and signed before changed work begins; discovered conditions stop work on that area only
Materials	Plant sizes nominal; substitutions of equal or better quality with email approval; price difference by change order
Warranty	Workmanship 1 year; plants one growing season, conditional on the supplied watering schedule

Example 2 — hardscape patio, fixed price with allowance
Clause	How it is filled in for this job
Scope	Excavate and construct 340 sq ft paver patio on 6in compacted base with polymeric sand; 22 linear ft seat wall
Allowance	$1,900 allowance for paver selection; difference settled by change order once chosen
Exclusions	Drainage beyond the specified pitch, electrical, gas lines, structures, permits, existing patio disposal beyond 340 sq ft
Price	$21,600 including allowance: 30% deposit, 40% on base completion, 30% on substantial completion
Access	Vehicle access up to 7ft width between 7am and 5pm working days; water and power provided
Locates	811 marking arranged before excavation; private unmarked lines excluded

Example 3 — annual maintenance, recurring service agreement
Clause	How it is filled in for this job
Service schedule	28 mowing visits Apr-Oct; spring and autumn cleanup; 2 pruning visits; bed maintenance monthly
Term	12 months from 1 April, renewing annually unless either party gives 30 days notice
Price	$385 per month, billed monthly in advance
Price adjustment	May be revised on renewal with 45 days written notice
Weather	Visits missed for weather are rescheduled within 7 days where possible, otherwise credited
Extras	Out-of-scope work quoted and approved by change order before it is performed

The conclusion these three examples support: the clause list does not change between job types. What changes is how the scope, price and schedule clauses are filled in, and whether a term and renewal mechanism is needed. Build one document, then fill it in three ways.

A recurring maintenance agreement: what changes

Answer first: a maintenance agreement needs a service schedule, a term, a renewal mechanism, a price adjustment clause and a termination notice period. The install-contract clauses above still apply, but those five are additional.

Service schedule. What is done, how often, and in which months. Mowing frequency, pruning windows, bed maintenance, seasonal cleanups.
Term. Annual is common. Say when it starts and ends.
Renewal. Automatic with notice, or by agreement. State it either way.
Price adjustment. How and when the price may change on renewal, with notice.
Termination. Notice period, and what happens to prepaid amounts.
Weather-affected visits. What happens when a visit cannot be made, and whether it is rescheduled or credited.
Extras. How out-of-scope work is quoted and approved — the same change order process.

Estimate, proposal, contract: three different documents

Answer first: an estimate is a non-binding indication, a proposal sets out scope and price for consideration, and a contract is the signed binding agreement. Treating a proposal as a contract is the commonest paperwork mistake in this trade.

The paperwork sequence for a landscaping job — Treating a proposal as a contract is the commonest paperwork mistake in this trade. A proposal sets out what you would do; a contract records what both parties agreed.

Estimate — Non-binding indication. Label it clearly as such.

Proposal — Detailed scope and price. Still not a contract.

Contract — The binding document. Signed by both parties.

Change order — Amends the contract. Signed before the work.

Invoice — Against the schedule. Not a substitute for a contract.

Sign-off — Completion and warranty. What is covered, for how long.

What each document does
Document	Binding?	Contains	Common mistake
Estimate	No	A price range and rough scope	Not labeling it as an estimate
Proposal	No	Detailed scope, price, terms summary	Starting work on an accepted proposal
Contract	Yes	All twelve clauses, signed	Never producing one for small jobs
Change order	Yes, amends the contract	The change, the price, the new total	Agreeing changes verbally
Invoice	No	Amount due against the schedule	Using invoices in place of a contract
Completion sign-off	Records completion	Date, scope confirmed, warranty start	Skipping it, then arguing about warranty start

Deposits, liens and getting paid

Answer first: the contract is what makes a payment dispute winnable, and three clauses do the work — the payment schedule, the late payment terms, and the suspension right. Lien rights sit outside the contract and are governed by your state.

Tie milestones to progress, not dates. A milestone at ‘base complete’ is verifiable; one at ‘week three’ is not.
Invoice the same day the milestone is met. Delay in invoicing is the commonest self-inflicted payment problem in this trade.
State the suspension right. Being able to stop work on written notice after a stated number of overdue days is more effective than an interest clause.
Know your state’s lien deadlines before you need them. Preliminary notice requirements catch out contractors constantly, and missing one forfeits the right entirely.
Keep the paperwork trail. Signed contract, signed change orders, dated photographs, delivery receipts. It is the difference between a claim and an argument.

How to use this template

Free — This template is. Copy it into your own document.

State — Laws differ. Materially, on liens and consumer rules.

Review — Once, by an attorney. Covers every job afterwards.

Consistent — Use the same document. Every job, every time.

Update — Annually. When your services or state rules change.

Copy the clauses into your own document, on your own letterhead, in your legal entity’s name.
Fill in the scope for a real recent job, item by item, so you can see where your habits are vague.
Write your exclusions list from your last three disputes.
Set your payment schedule and check the late-payment terms against your state’s cap.
Have a licensed attorney in your state review the whole document once.
Use it on every job, including the small ones. Consistency is what makes it work in practice.
Review it annually, and whenever you add a service or your state’s rules change.

A one-page checklist to run before every job

Contract signed by both parties, dated, before any work.
Scope lists quantities or measurements on every line.
Exclusions list present and adapted to this specific job.
Deposit received and recorded.
Utility locates requested where excavation is involved.
Existing conditions photographed and dated.
Access, hours, water and power confirmed with the client.
Permits identified, and who obtains them agreed in writing.
Plant list confirmed available, or substitution process explained.
Change order pad or template accessible on site.
Care instructions prepared for handover.
Completion sign-off form ready.

Running this list takes five minutes and removes almost every avoidable dispute. Print it, or keep it in the job file template.

What this template deliberately does not do

It does not address lien rights. Notice requirements and deadlines vary enormously by state and getting them wrong forfeits the right. Ask your attorney specifically about this.
It does not address state consumer protection rules. Several states require specific disclosures, cancellation windows and contract formatting for residential work.
It does not address licensing thresholds. Many states require a license above a dollar value or for specific trades.
It is not tailored to commercial or public contracts, which carry insurance, bonding, prevailing wage and retention requirements this template does not contemplate.
It is not legal advice. It is a checklist and sample wording, written to make the conversation with your attorney shorter and cheaper.

If you are running the business side as well, how to start a landscaping business covers licensing, insurance and pricing, and landscaping marketing covers where the work actually comes from.

Updated August 2026. This template is provided free and without warranty. Progression Agency is a marketing agency, not a law firm, and nothing on this page is legal advice. Contract law, lien rights, licensing and consumer protection requirements differ by state and change over time. Have a licensed attorney in your state review any contract before you rely on it.

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Frequently asked questions

What should a landscaping contract include?

Twelve things: the parties and property, the scope item by item, an explicit exclusions list, the price and payment schedule, a written change order process, materials and substitution terms, site access and utility locates, weather and delay provisions, warranties on workmanship and plants, insurance and licensing details, termination and deposit terms, and both signatures with the date.

Is this landscaping contract template free to use?

Yes. Copy the clauses into your own document in your own business name. It is provided without warranty and it is not legal advice — Progression Agency is a marketing agency, not a law firm. Have a licensed attorney in your state review it once before you rely on it; that single review covers every job afterwards.

What causes most landscaping contract disputes?

Scope. Roughly a third of disputes are some version of ‘I thought that was included’, and another fifth are changes agreed verbally and never written down. Both are solved by paperwork that takes ten minutes: an explicit exclusions list, and a change order signed before the changed work happens.

Why is an exclusions clause so important?

Because a scope tells the client what you will do, and only an exclusions list tells them what you will not. Clients fill silence with assumptions — irrigation, tree work, buried debris, drainage, permits and ongoing maintenance are the usual ones. Writing them down is the highest-value ten minutes in the whole document.

What is a change order and why do I need one?

A short written document, signed by both parties before the changed work begins, stating what is added or removed, the price adjustment, the new contract total and any effect on the completion date. It exists so that ‘while you’re here, could you also…’ does not become an unpaid argument three weeks later.

How much deposit should a landscaping contract ask for?

Commonly 25 to 50 per cent on signing, with milestone payments tied to real progress and the balance on substantial completion. Some states cap deposits for residential work, so check yours. Whatever you choose, state the figure, when it is due, and what happens to it if either party terminates.

Should I use a fixed price or time and materials?

Fixed price for most residential installs, with a proper exclusions list. Time and materials only where the scope genuinely cannot be known — excavation with unknowns beneath the surface, or restoration work. Where the uncertainty is about what the client will choose rather than what is underground, use a fixed price with named allowances instead.

What is the difference between an estimate, a proposal and a contract?

An estimate is a non-binding indication and should say so. A proposal sets out detailed scope and price for consideration and is still not binding. A contract is the signed agreement that binds both parties. Starting work on an accepted proposal — without a signed contract — is the commonest paperwork mistake in this trade.

How long should a plant warranty be?

One growing season is common and defensible. What matters more than the length is that the exclusions are written down: neglect, drought where watering instructions were not followed, flooding, vandalism, animals, extreme weather and subsequent work by others. Plant warranty disputes fail almost entirely on the watering question.

Should workmanship and plant warranties be separate?

Yes. They cover different things for different periods, and merging them creates arguments. Warrant workmanship against defects for a stated period from substantial completion, and warrant plant material separately, conditional on the client following supplied care instructions.

What should the contract say about utility locates?

That the contractor will arrange utility marking before excavation, and that the contractor is not responsible for damage to unmarked or incorrectly marked private lines. Private lines — irrigation, landscape lighting, invisible fencing, gas lines to a grill — are frequently unmarked and are the usual source of this dispute.

How do I protect myself against ‘that damage was already there’?

Photograph the site before work starts, date the photographs, and include a clause saying you will do so and inviting the client to review them. It costs nothing, takes five minutes, and settles the conversation immediately when it arises.

What should a maintenance agreement include that an install contract does not?

Five extra things: a service schedule saying what is done and how often in which months, a term, a renewal mechanism, a price adjustment clause for renewal, and a termination notice period with what happens to prepaid amounts. Add a rule for weather-affected visits — rescheduled or credited.

Can I charge interest on late payments?

Generally yes, but state law caps the rate. The safe phrasing is a stated rate ‘or the maximum permitted by law, whichever is lower’, which keeps the clause enforceable if your stated rate exceeds the cap. Also state at what point you may suspend work.

What does ‘substantial completion’ mean and why define it?

It means the work is complete enough for the client to use the property for its intended purpose, with only minor items outstanding. Define it because ‘finished’ is a matter of opinion, and because it is normally the trigger for the final payment and the start of the warranty period.

Do I need a written contract for small jobs?

Yes, and small jobs are where contracts are most often skipped and disputes are proportionally most expensive. Use the same document every time. Consistency is what makes a contract work in practice — a template used on nine jobs out of ten protects you on nine jobs out of ten.

What happens to the deposit if the client cancels?

Whatever your contract says, which is why it must say something. A common approach: the client pays for work performed and materials ordered or delivered up to termination, less the deposit held, with any excess refunded within a stated number of days. Custom-ordered or non-returnable materials are payable in full.

Should I name my subcontractors in the contract?

You do not need to name them, but you should say whether you use them and confirm that you remain responsible for their work under the agreement. Clients care about accountability rather than identity, and the clause removes any suggestion that a subcontractor’s error is not your problem.

What about permits?

Say who obtains them and who pays for them. Usually the contractor obtains them and the cost is either included or excluded — state which. Hardscape, drainage, retaining walls above a certain height and tree removal are the usual permit triggers, and they vary by municipality.

Does this template cover lien rights?

No, deliberately. Mechanic’s lien notice requirements and deadlines vary enormously by state and missing one forfeits the right entirely. This is the single most important thing to raise with your attorney when they review the document.

Is this template suitable for commercial work?

Not as written. Commercial and public contracts carry insurance, bonding, prevailing wage, retention and often specific safety and reporting requirements this template does not contemplate. Use it as a starting point for residential work and take advice for anything commercial.

How often should I update my contract?

Annually, and whenever you add a service or your state’s rules change. Also update it after any dispute: whatever the argument was about is exactly the clause that needs tightening, and that is the cheapest lesson available.

What if the nursery cannot supply the plants I specified?

Handle it in the contract before it happens. State that where a specified item is unavailable you will propose a substitute of equal or better quality and comparable size, that the substitution requires client approval which may be given by email, and that any price difference is handled by change order.

Do I need a license to do landscaping work?

It depends on your state and often on the value of the work or the specific trade involved — irrigation, pesticide application and structural work frequently carry their own requirements. State your license number in the contract where your state requires one, and confirm the thresholds with your attorney or state licensing board.

Sources and further reading

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