Three landscapers show up at your Willoughby home. One pulls up in a beat-up pickup with hand-drawn sketches. Another arrives with a tablet and drone footage. The third quotes 30% less but can’t explain their warranty. Who gets the job?
If you’ve lived in Langley, you know choosing a landscaper isn’t just about price. It’s about finding someone who understands our clay soil, handles those soggy March mornings, and won’t disappear when your Fraser Valley summer drought stresses your new plantings. These 12 questions help you spot the difference between professionals and operators who might vanish mid-project.
What questions should I ask before hiring a landscaper?
Before hiring a landscaper, ask these key questions:
- Credentials – Are you licensed, insured, and bonded?
- Services – Do you handle design, installation, and ongoing maintenance?
- Timeline – When can you start, and how long will the project take?
- Costs – What’s included in the estimate, and are there potential extras?
- Materials – Where do you source plants, and do you offer warranties?
- Communication – Who’s my point of contact during and after the project?
- References – Can I see photos or speak with recent clients?
- Contract terms – What’s your payment schedule and cancellation policy?
These questions level the playing field when comparing bids and help catch problems before they start.
Ready to compare qualified landscapers? Get a free landscaping quote in Langley.
Verify Credentials and Business Legitimacy
Every professional landscaper needs three things: a business license, liability insurance, and WorkSafeBC registration. The business license proves legal operation in Langley. Insurance covers your property if their crew damages something. WorkSafeBC registration protects you if a worker gets injured on your property.
Ask to see actual documents. A legitimate contractor keeps these ready. If someone brushes off your insurance question or says it’s not necessary for smaller jobs, walk away.
Professional associations like Landscape BC aren’t mandatory, but membership signals extra professionalism. These organizations set standards and require ongoing training.
Clarify Scope of Services and Specializations
Landscapers around here aren’t all the same. Some specialize in weekly lawn mowing around Brookswood acreages. Others design elaborate spaces with natural stone patios. Figure out what they do themselves versus what they subcontract.
Design-build companies handle everything from sketches to final installation. Install-only outfits need you to bring plans. If you can barely picture what you want, you need someone who can both design and build.
Ask about maintenance. Many homeowners around Yorkson and Willowbrook prefer one company that knows their property. The crew that installed your landscape already knows which corner stays wet all winter and which plants struggled through their first Fraser Valley summer.
Make them prove they’ve done your project type before in Langley. Our soil composition is different. Our frost line is different. A crew that’s never worked with Langley’s heavy clay will give you problems.
Understand Costs, Payment Terms, and Hidden Fees
Nothing tanks a project faster than surprise costs. Pin down exactly what’s included and what might trigger extra charges. Around here, common extras include permits from Langley Township, clay soil amendments, substitute plants, site preparation, and debris hauling.
Demand an itemized breakdown. Labor, materials, equipment, disposal fees—spelled out line by line. A vague lump sum tells you nothing.
Most reputable contractors split payments into chunks. Common structure: deposit upfront, second payment when major work wraps up, final payment after you’ve walked the property and signed off.
Red flag: anyone asking for half or more upfront. No legitimate Langley contractor needs 50% before starting.
Nail down the change order process now. Get it in writing so there’s no confusion.
Compare maintenance packages to understand ongoing costs.
Nail Down Timeline and Project Management
Push for actual calendar dates—when they start, when they finish. “We’ll be done by summer” could mean June or September.
Several factors affect timing. Design revisions take one to three weeks. Specialty materials need ordering. Then there’s Langley weather. Environment Canada climate data shows heavy rain from October through March. Spring projects get delayed when ground stays too wet for equipment.
Will the contractor be on your property daily? Or juggling jobs between Langley, Surrey, and Abbotsford? Daily presence means faster completion and tighter quality control.
What’s their rain policy? Some crews work through drizzle. Others shut down when it sprinkles. Smart contractors pad schedules with buffer time.
Lock in one contact person. When you spot an issue, you need to know exactly who to call.
Dig Into Materials, Sourcing, and Warranties
Ask where they source plants and whether choices work in our climate. We’re in USDA Zone 8b to 9a—mild winters, wet springs, dry summers. Plants need to handle waterlogged clay soil in March and drought by August.
What warranty do they offer? Most solid contractors cover plants for at least a year. Hardscaping carries longer warranties.
Get specific about plant replacement policy. If something dies in the first season, do they replace it free? Know this before signing. Ask what voids warranty—skipping watering during dry July and August, lawn mower damage, deer browsing.
For hardscape materials, ask about brands and suppliers. Are they using quality pavers or grabbing whatever’s cheapest? Our heavy Langley clay needs significant amendment. Cheap base materials lead to settling and failure.
Consider native or drought-tolerant species. Fraser Valley natives like Oregon grape and salal evolved for our conditions. Drought-tolerant options need minimal water once established, which matters during August water restrictions.
Check References and Spot Red Flags
Ask to see photos from recent Langley projects—Willoughby, Murrayville, Brookswood, or Walnut Grove. Request contact information for two or three local references.
When you call references, ask pointed questions: Did they stick to budget? Stay on schedule despite weather? How was communication? Any problems after completion, and how quickly did they respond?
The Better Business Bureau recommends collecting at least three quotes and checking credentials through official channels.
Check Google reviews for patterns. Look for detailed reviews from verified local customers mentioning specific Langley neighborhoods.
Watch for red flags: missing or vague contract, dodging insurance requests, high-pressure tactics, large upfront deposits, no physical address, pattern of negative reviews about abandoned projects.
Look for green flags: detailed contract, responsive communication, established local reputation, professional approach, local knowledge about Township bylaws and soil issues.
Trust your gut. The right landscaper leaves you feeling informed and confident, not rushed or confused.
Ready to Transform Your Langley Landscape?
You now have questions that separate legitimate Fraser Valley professionals from operators who might leave you with a half-finished yard. Don’t skip vetting. Your outdoor space deserves someone who understands Langley’s clay soil, unpredictable spring weather, summer water restrictions, and Township bylaws.
Splendid Landscaping Services has guided hundreds of Langley homeowners through these decisions with straightforward pricing, reliable communication, and work that survives our wet winters and dry summers. Whether you need full landscape design for a new Willoughby build, regular maintenance for your Walnut Grove acreage, or custom hardscaping in Brookswood, our team brings decades of local experience.
Browse our landscape design portfolio to see completed Fraser Valley work, or call (604) 616-7545 to schedule your free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Monthly lawn maintenance for a typical Willoughby lot runs $150 to $300. Full yard makeovers start around $5,000 and can hit $25,000 or higher. Hardscape projects like retaining walls or patios typically cost $3,000 to $15,000. Our clay soil often requires extra site prep. Get three local quotes minimum.
BC doesn’t mandate a general landscaping license. But professionals should carry a business license from the Township, liability insurance, and WorkSafeBC registration. Specialized work requires additional permits. Always verify credentials.
Simple projects like lawn renovation take one to two weeks. Mid-sized projects with patio installation need three to six weeks. Complete overhauls stretch two to three months. Weather delays hit hard during spring and fall rainfall. Smart contractors build cushion into schedules.
Your contract needs detailed work description, itemized costs, payment schedule, project timeline, materials specifications, warranty terms, proof of insurance and licensing, change order procedures, and dispute resolution process. Never start without everything in writing.
Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) work best for planting. But these seasons bring the most rain, delaying hardscape construction. Summer (June-August) delivers reliable weather for patios and walkways, though new plants need frequent watering during dry spells.
Designers create plans and concepts but often don’t do physical work. Contractors handle grading, building, planting, and installation. Design-build firms combine both, managing projects from sketches through completion—better continuity and accountability.
Verify credentials: business license, insurance, WorkSafeBC registration. Check professional memberships. Read Google and BBB reviews. Call local references. Confirm physical business address. Watch for pressure tactics, dodging paperwork, or demanding large upfront payments.
Reputable landscapers warranty plants for one year, covering defects or installation failures but not neglect. Hardscaping warranties run two to five years. Get warranty terms in writing and understand what voids coverage.
Native species thrive: Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Oregon grape, salal, sword ferns, Pacific rhododendrons. Popular ornamentals include Japanese maples, hydrangeas, lavender, ornamental grasses. Plants must tolerate heavy clay soil and fluctuating moisture.
Most lawns need professional attention every one to two weeks during growing season (April-October). Spring and fall demand aeration (critical for clay soil), overseeding, and fertilization. Consistent care prevents bigger problems and cuts long-term costs.
