Property managers in Hamilton usually call us for one of three reasons: the current contractor stopped showing up on schedule, a tenant complained about the entrance, or the City sent a notice about long grass or an icy sidewalk. A good commercial contract fixes all three by putting the scope, the visit frequency and the response times in writing. Here is what it costs in Hamilton and what to put in the contract.
2026 commercial maintenance prices in Hamilton
| Property | Typical scope | Monthly, April to November (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Small plaza, office or bank branch | Under 0.5 acre of turf and beds | $700 - $1,500 |
| Mid-size site or low-rise condo | 0.5 to 2 acres, several bed areas | $1,500 - $4,000 |
| Large condo, campus or industrial park | Over 2 acres, multiple buildings | $4,000 and up, by quote |
Those monthly figures cover weekly mowing, trimming and edging, blowing hard surfaces clean, bed weeding, litter pick on landscaped areas and a walk-through report. Prices depend on turf area, number of bed areas, how much is hand-trimmed around signs and curbs, and whether crews can work early before the parking lot fills. Sites on the Mountain and in Stoney Creek with long boulevards and steep berms take longer than a flat lot of the same size.
| Common extras | Typical 2026 price |
|---|---|
| Spring or fall cleanup | $600 - $2,500 per visit |
| Mulch, supplied and spread | $90 - $130 per cubic yard |
| Core aeration | $250 - $450 per acre |
| Seasonal flower beds and planters | By count, usually $1,000 - $5,000 a season |
| Hedge and shrub pruning | Included or $65 - $85 per crew hour |
How a commercial contract is usually structured
Landscape Ontario's sample 12-month commercial contract is a good model. It sets one annual price paid in 12 equal monthly instalments, so your budget is flat across the year even though the work is not. It ties yearly increases to inflation, with a floor of 1% and a cap of 5%, and lists tax separately. We quote the same way, and we attach a site map that marks every area, what is done there and how often. The map is what stops arguments later about whether the strip behind the loading dock was included.
The Hamilton by-laws a site has to meet
- Grass height: the Yard Maintenance By-law sets a 21 cm limit on urban lots of 0.4 ha or less. On larger urban lots, which covers most plazas and industrial sites, the limit applies within 10 m of every property line, so the frontage, side strips and rear boundary all count.
- Sidewalks: By-law 03-296 requires the owner or occupant to clear snow and ice from the sidewalk beside the property within 24 hours of the end of a storm. The City can do it and add the cost to the tax bill.
- Snow placement: the same by-law bans pushing snow onto the road or around a fire hydrant. Plaza lots need a planned stockpile area that does not block sightlines or catch basins.
- Stormwater: Hamilton's stormwater fee by-law bills non-residential properties in billing units, each about 291 m2 of hard surface. Roofs and parking lots drive the charge, and the City runs an incentive program for sites that manage runoff. Bioswales, rain gardens and permeable paving are landscaping decisions that can lower it.
Snow and the 60 day notice
Most Hamilton properties pair summer maintenance with a winter contract. Under Ontario's Occupiers' Liability Act, a person hurt by snow or ice cannot sue unless written notice reaches the occupier or the snow contractor within 60 days, giving the date, time and location. That makes records important: we log every visit with times, temperatures, salt applied and photos, so if a notice arrives you can show what was done that day. See our Hamilton snow removal page for residential pricing; commercial snow is quoted per site with response times in the contract.
Who we work for in Hamilton
Retail plazas, medical and dental offices, bank branches, low-rise condominiums, places of worship, light industrial units and property management portfolios across the lower city, the Mountain, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Dundas, Waterdown and the airport employment area. We are fully insured and WSIB covered, and we provide certificates for your files before the first visit.
Winter too? See commercial snow removal in Hamilton with plow, salt and seasonal prices.
Frequently asked questions
How much does commercial landscaping cost in Hamilton?
About $700 to $1,500 a month for a small plaza or office and $1,500 to $4,000 for a mid-size site or condo, April to November, in 2026. Large sites are quoted individually.
What does a commercial landscape maintenance contract include?
Usually weekly mowing, trimming and edging, blowing hard surfaces, bed weeding, litter pick and a visit report. Cleanups, mulch, aeration and flowers are often priced as extras.
How tall can grass get on a commercial property in Hamilton?
21 cm on urban lots of 0.4 ha or less. On larger urban lots the limit applies within 10 m of every property line.
Who clears the sidewalk in front of a Hamilton business?
The owner or occupant, within 24 hours of the end of a storm, under By-law 03-296. The City can clear it and bill the property.
Can you combine landscaping and snow removal?
Yes. Most clients pay one annual price in monthly instalments, with summer maintenance and winter snow and salting in the same agreement.
Are you insured for commercial work?
Yes. We carry commercial liability insurance and WSIB coverage and send certificates before work starts.