How to Choose the Right Landscape Contractor (Especially in a Post-Pandemic Market)

One of the most common things we hear from clients is how overwhelming and confusing it can be to choose a landscape contractor.

During the pandemic, many families decided to invest in their backyards, but hiring during COVID introduced its own unique challenges. Meetings became socially distanced, masked, virtual, or handled entirely by phone and email. These changes made it harder to gauge personality and build trust — two essential parts of choosing the right team. After all, you're investing time, energy, and money with the people bringing your vision to life.

Once you have a great design in hand, the next step — collecting construction bids — can feel like entering a whole new maze. It’s not uncommon for clients to receive a wide range of pricing for what appears to be the same design.

So why do bids for the same project come back with such different price tags? Here are a few common reasons:

- Design-Build vs. Design-Only vs. Build-Only: These models impact how pricing is structured and presented.

- Proposal Formatting: Every contractor has their own way of presenting bids and line items, which can make comparisons tricky.

- Licensed vs. Unlicensed Work: Licensed contractors have added costs and fees such as workers compensation, licensing, bonding and insurance.

- Overhead Costs: Larger, more established firms may have higher overhead and pricing compared to smaller, low-overhead teams.

Another major factor is transparency. Many contractors don't take the time to educate clients about the construction process, and many clients don’t investigate who they’re hiring. This lack of transparency has led to industry mistrust — especially among homeowners who’ve had past negative experiences. Some pros choose to keep their pricing layouts vague, believing ambiguity gives them an advantage.

And of course, many families are navigating this process for the first time, which adds another layer of uncertainty.

So what advice would we give a friend or family member?

Over the years, we've found that most clients prioritize these three key factors:

1. Affordability

2. Quality

3. Availability

Here’s the hard truth: in today’s high-demand market, you’ll almost always get two out of the three — not all three. We call it the landscape unicorn dilemma. It’s okay to prioritize what matters most to you — but be aware of what you're likely sacrificing in return.

Here's how it usually plays out:

• Quality + Availability = Expensive. If you love a contractor’s past work and they’re available to start right away, it’s likely because your project is highly profitable for them. Quality and speed often come at a premium.

• Affordability + Quality = Long Wait. If you're willing to wait, you can often find contractors who deliver excellent results at a fair price. During peak seasons, expect lead times of 6+ months. The good news? Reputable contractors typically have scheduling systems and can give you a realistic start date.

• Affordability + Availability = Risky. If a contractor can start next week and their pricing is low, tread carefully. They may be new to the industry, unlicensed, or struggling to keep projects on their calendar due to management issues. This could result in rushed work or subpar results.

  

Final Thoughts:

Before you hire a landscape contractor, get clear on your top two priorities — and understand which one you’re willing to let go of. Your priorities will shift depending on your stage of life, project scope, and goals — and that’s perfectly okay.

By setting realistic expectations and making an informed decision, you’ll create a smoother experience for yourself and your contractor — and ultimately, a better end result for your outdoor space.