Free Landscaping Contract Template

Use a landscaping contract​ when the job is big, costly, or ongoing. It keeps both sides on the same page and helps stop problems before they start.

It’s smart for major installs like patios, retaining walls, sod replacement, or drainage systems. Smaller but ongoing work, such as lawn mowing, hedge trimming, fertilizing, or seasonal clean-ups also benefits from having clear terms in writing.

Landscaping contracts are especially important when the job includes valuable plant material such as trees, shrubs, or full flower beds. They also make sense in higher-risk situations, including:

• When utility lines need to be marked or heavy equipment must access the property
• When deposits are required for high-cost materials such as stone, sod, or bulk mulch

For homeowners, a landscaping contract​ adds peace of mind. It provides a clear cost breakdown, allows for progress checks, and gives inspection rights before final payment.

Strong landscaping contracts live in the details. From plant types and patio layouts to sod square footage and mulch depth, everything should be written down clearly so both sides know what to expect. As you draft the contract, be sure to:

• Name who is doing the work by including the landscaper and any subcontractors, such as tree crews, irrigation installers, or hardscape teams.
• Describe where the work is done by listing the property address and pointing to exact areas like front beds, the backyard patio, or side yard access.
• Detail what work is included so no task is overlooked. That might cover mowing, edging, fertilizing, pruning, mulching, planting, sod or seed installation, leaf clean-up, grading, drainage work, patios, or retaining walls.
• Clarify if the job is one-time or ongoing. Laying sod or building a patio would be a single project, while weekly mowing or seasonal clean-ups count as continuing service.
• List all materials clearly. Plants should be named with size and quantity, sod measured in square footage, mulch in cubic yards, stone in square footage or tons, and drainage pipe in length. If the agreement also involves selling products directly to the property owner, note that as part of the contract.
• Set a quality checklist. Mulch must be the right depth, sod tight and level, plants spaced evenly, patio stones level with proper slope, and drainage built to prevent standing water.
• Note how the site will be prepared. Mark utilities, protect turf, and call out access issues such as narrow gates or steep slopes.
• Assign responsibility for watering and care. State who will water new sod or plants, how often, and what mowing height should be used for the first cuts.
• Explain how weather delays will be handled. Rain, frozen ground, or heatwaves can all shift the schedule, and the contract should show how those changes are managed.
• Break down the pricing. Include labor hours, per-plant costs, sod per square foot, mulch per yard, stone per square foot, and equipment or haul-away fees.
• Outline how payments will be made. A deposit usually covers plants, stone, or sod, while progress payments can follow milestones such as finishing the hardscape base, completing planting, or the final walkthrough.
• Define the cancellation terms. For example, regular mowing can stop with notice, but installation projects must still be paid for if materials have already been purchased or delivered.
• Include warranties. For example, plants may be covered for a set period if watered properly, turf should have an establishment warranty, and hardscape should include coverage for settling.
• Require daily cleanup. For example, crews should remove debris, protect driveways, and repair ruts with topsoil and seed.
• Agree on the schedule. List the start date, workdays, daily work hours, and any restrictions such as HOA or neighborhood quiet hours.

By locking in these details, a landscaping contract keeps expectations realistic and helps ensure the finished project matches the plan. You can save time with our landscaping contract template, which already includes these key sections and can be customized for your project.

The sample is there to give you a quick look at how a landscaping contract is structured. When you’re ready to use it for your own project, download the full landscaping contract template in PDF or Word.