Hiring a landscaper is one of the larger discretionary cheques most Ontario homeowners write, often $15,000 to $90,000 for a full backyard. The right questions, asked before you sign, will surface most of the problems that turn into change orders, leaks, lien holdbacks or unfinished jobs. This guide walks through the 12 questions worth asking, the answers that should put you at ease, the red flags that should not, and how to apply it all in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and across Halton and Niagara.
Quick verdict
Treat your first call like a job interview, not a sales pitch. The five questions that matter most are insurance and WSIB, written scope, payment schedule, warranty terms, and who is actually on site swinging the shovels. A good Ontario contractor will answer all five without flinching and put every answer in writing. If any answer is vague, verbal-only, or pressured by a “sign today” discount, walk.
The 12 questions worth asking
Print this table, take it to your site visit, and write the answers in the margin. The same checklist works for a $6,000 sod-and-mulch refresh or a $120,000 full backyard build.
| Question | Why it matters | Good answer | Red flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Are you fully insured, and can I see the certificate? | If a worker damages your gas line or falls off a wall, your home insurance is not the backstop. | $2M liability minimum, certificate emailed before work starts. | “We have insurance” with no document, or expired dates. |
| 2. Do you carry WSIB coverage for every worker on site? | Without WSIB, a worker injury on your property can become your liability. | Current WSIB Clearance Certificate, refreshed for your job. | “My guys are subs, they cover themselves” with no proof. |
| 3. Who is the actual crew, and is the lead a paver or carpenter by trade? | Sales rep skill does not equal install skill. | Named lead hand, years of experience, photos of their work. | “We will assign someone closer to the date.” |
| 4. Can I see three local projects from the last 24 months? | Hamilton clay and Niagara frost behave differently than photos from out of province. | Three addresses or owners you can drive past or call. | Stock photos, Pinterest boards, or projects from 2018. |
| 5. Is the quote itemized by labour, materials and equipment? | You cannot compare quotes that are a single lump sum. | Line items for each major scope, with brand and quantity. | One number with no breakdown. |
| 6. What is the deposit and the payment schedule? | Deposit norms in Ontario are well established. See our deposit guide. | 10 to 25 percent deposit, milestone payments tied to delivered work. | 50 percent up front, or “cash discount if you pay now.” |
| 7. What is your written warranty on workmanship and on plants? | Settling, efflorescence and plant loss are common in years one and two. | 2 to 5 years on hardscape, one season on plants, in writing. | “We stand behind our work” with no document. |
| 8. Who pulls the permits, and what utility locates are needed? | Decks, pools and retaining walls over 1 metre often need permits in Hamilton and Halton. | Contractor handles permits and Ontario One Call locates. | “You probably do not need a permit.” |
| 9. What is the start date and the realistic finish date? | Weather slips happen, but a vague answer often hides an overbooked crew. | Window of 1 to 3 weeks, with a written start clause. | “Soon” or “as soon as we finish another job.” |
| 10. How are change orders priced and approved? | Surprise rock, drainage, or design changes are the top source of disputes. | Written change order, your signature before work proceeds. | “We will sort it out at the end.” |
| 11. How will the site be protected and cleaned daily? | Driveway scuffs, lawn ruts and dust complaints are avoidable. | Plywood paths, daily tidy, photos of past sites. | Shrug and “the yard is a worksite.” |
| 12. What happens if I am not satisfied at the walkthrough? | Final 10 percent should give you real leverage. | Holdback released only after a written punch list is cleared. | Full payment expected on the last day, no walkthrough. |
Insurance, WSIB and the paperwork that protects you
Almost every horror story we hear in Hamilton and Burlington starts the same way: the homeowner never asked for documents. In Ontario the two pieces of paper that matter are a Certificate of Insurance showing at least $2 million in commercial general liability, and a WSIB Clearance Certificate that is current for the project window. Both should name your contractor by legal business name, not just a brand. Ask for them by email before deposit, not on day one of the dig.
What good looks like
A serious contractor has these on file and can send them the same day. They will also list your address as the project location if you ask. If your project includes a pool, a retaining wall over 1 metre, or any work near the property line, also confirm that the policy covers excavation and that the WSIB account covers every worker, not just the owner.
What the law says
Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Act requires WSIB coverage for almost all construction workers. Hiring an uninsured crew is not just a moral risk, it can expose you to liability if there is an injury on your property. This is industry context, not legal advice. When in doubt, ask a lawyer.
Scope, drawings and the “what are we actually buying” question
A scope that fits on a napkin is a scope you will fight about. For anything above $10,000, expect a written scope that names every material by brand and size, every dimension, and every exclusion. For larger projects in Oakville and west Hamilton we routinely see homeowners assume “patio” includes a step, a railing and lighting. The quote did not. Ask explicitly what is not included.
Drawings worth paying for
For projects over $30,000, a simple 2D site plan and a basic 3D rendering should be part of the deal. They cost the contractor a few hundred dollars to produce and they save thousands in misunderstandings. If a contractor will not produce a drawing, you are buying their memory of the conversation.
Materials, brands and substitutions
“Permacon Lafitt” and “a similar grey paver” are not the same line item. Ask for brand and SKU on stone, lights, edging and sealer. Then ask what happens if that product is back-ordered. The good answer is “we call you and you approve the substitute in writing.”
Money: deposit, milestones and the holdback
Deposit norms in Ontario have been remarkably stable. For a typical residential landscape build, expect a deposit of 10 to 25 percent, with the balance billed in milestones as work is delivered. We cover the full schedule in our companion guide on landscaping deposits and payment schedules. The number you should remember today is the holdback: the final 10 percent should land only after the walkthrough, the punch list, and any cleanup are done.
Ontario Consumer Protection Act notes
For direct agreements signed at your home over $50, the Consumer Protection Act 2002 gives you a 10-day cooling-off period to cancel in writing. Reputable contractors know this and never pressure same-day signatures. If you feel pressured, that is the answer to question 6.
Warranty, callbacks and what year two looks like
Hardscape moves. Plants die. Sod browns. The honest question is not “will anything go wrong” but “what do you do when it does.” A solid Hamilton-area contractor will offer two to five years on workmanship, one full season on plant material, and a callback in spring of year one to top up joint sand, reset any settled stone, and check drainage.
What is normally excluded
Efflorescence, minor settling under 6 mm, salt damage from de-icer, and acts of God are typically excluded. That is reasonable. What is not reasonable is excluding “any movement of stone” for an interlock patio, which would make the warranty meaningless.
How to apply this on your project
For a small refresh under $10,000, focus on questions 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9. For a mid-size build of $15,000 to $50,000 such as a typical Burlington back patio with a seat wall and planting, add 3, 4, 7, 10 and 12. For full backyard transformations in Oakville, west Hamilton or Niagara wine country above $60,000, every question on the list matters, plus a written design contract before construction begins.
- Interview at least three contractors. Two is not enough to spot the outlier.
- Get every quote in the same format, ideally itemized by labour, materials and equipment.
- Read our guide on landscaping cost in Ontario so you walk into the meeting knowing the going rate.
- Never sign at the site visit. Sleep on it. The CPA cooling-off period exists for a reason.
Common red flags we see on quote reviews
- Deposit over 30 percent, or a “cash discount” for paying the balance up front.
- No certificate of insurance and no WSIB clearance after two asks.
- Quote is a single lump sum with no line items.
- No written warranty document, only verbal assurance.
- Pressure to sign on the same day as the site visit.
- No mention of Ontario One Call locates for any digging work.
- Vague start window with no completion clause, especially heading into the fall rush.
Frequently asked questions
How many landscapers should I get quotes from?
Three is the sweet spot. Two leaves you guessing on the outlier. Four or more wastes everyone’s time and contractors stop responding. Make sure all three are quoting the same written scope.
Is the cheapest quote ever the right answer?
Sometimes, but rarely. If a quote is 25 percent below the other two, something is missing: a labour line, a base depth, an exclusion buried in the fine print, or in the worst case, no insurance. Ask line-by-line before you celebrate the savings.
Should I pay a design fee?
For projects over $30,000, yes. A paid design contract typically runs $500 to $3,500 and gets you drawings you own. It also filters out contractors who only “design” if you commit to build with them.
What if the contractor wants cash?
Decline. A cash-only contractor is almost always uninsured, not registered for HST, or both. You lose your warranty, your paper trail and your CPA protections.
Do I really need a permit for a patio?
Flat-grade interlock and stone patios usually do not. Decks over a certain height, pools, and retaining walls over 1 metre often do in Hamilton, Burlington and Oakville. Ask the contractor and confirm with your municipality.
What if a worker gets hurt on my property?
If the contractor has WSIB coverage for that worker, WSIB handles it. If they do not, you and your home insurance can be drawn in. This is exactly why question 2 exists.
Can I supply my own materials to save money?
You can, but most reputable contractors will not warranty work on owner-supplied stone or plants. The savings rarely offset the lost warranty on a hardscape job.
How long should a typical backyard build take?
For a $40,000 to $70,000 build in Halton, two to four weeks on site is typical once mobilized, weather permitting. Anything quoted at “one week” for that budget is probably understaffed or overpromised.
When you are ready, you can request a free quote from our crew and we will answer every one of these questions in writing before you decide anything. While you wait, pair this with our guide on how to read a landscape quote and our 2026 Ontario cost guide so you walk in informed.
Deciding between DIY and a pro? Read our DIY vs hire a pro guide first.