A good landscaper should make your life easier, not add to your to-do list. The right team keeps your yard healthy and cared for on a schedule you can count on. The wrong one leaves you chasing updates, fixing problems, and wondering when the crew will show up next.
Confirm Licensing and Insurance First
Before anything else, make sure the company can operate legally and won’t leave you exposed. Ask for:
- A business license for the area where they work
- General liability insurance, which covers damage to your property
- Workers’ compensation coverage, so you are not on the hook if a crew member is hurt on your land
- Proof of certification for anyone applying fertilizer or pesticide. Virginia regulates commercial application, and the person treating your turf should be certified to do it.
A dependable company hands over proof of coverage without hesitation. If a landscaper dodges the question or promises to “send it later,” treat that as a warning.
Read Reviews and Ask for Local References
Reviews tell you how a company behaves once the contract is signed. Look for recent Google reviews, a steady pattern rather than a handful from years ago, and how the company responds when someone raises a problem. Then ask for references or examples of nearby properties they maintain. A landscaper doing good work in your area will have both. You can see ours on our reviews and portfolio pages.
Look for a Clear Maintenance Plan
The quickest way to spot a dependable company is how plainly they explain their maintenance program. Steady landscapers keep a set rhythm of mowing, weeding, trimming, mulching, turf treatments, and seasonal tasks, and they can walk you through the schedule without hesitating.
Listen to How They Talk About Plants
Good maintenance takes knowledge as much as labor. Central Virginia’s clay soil, humidity, and fast-growing shrubs trip up an inexperienced crew. As you talk with a landscaper, listen for horticultural knowledge: when to prune, how turf behaves through the seasons, how to stay ahead of weeds, and how different plants respond to trimming.
At GSU, degrees in horticulture, turf management, and agronomy shape the decisions made on every property.
Check for Consistency and a System
Inconsistency is one of the biggest frustrations homeowners report. The crew shows up some weeks and not others. The work looks great once and rushed the next time. Ask how a company handles:
- Weather delays
- Seasonal shifts in workload
- Crew scheduling
- Communication when something unexpected comes up
A company with a system for these has an answer ready. One that offers to “try to stop by this week” does not.
Get a Written Estimate and Clear Terms
Anything you agree to should be in writing. A dependable landscaper gives you a written estimate that spells out the scope, the price, and the schedule, so you know exactly what you are paying for. Read the contract terms too. Ask how long the agreement lasts, whether it renews automatically, and how to cancel. Maintenance agreements often renew each year, which is fine as long as you know it going in.
Expect One Point of Contact
This detail is simple and easy to overlook. You deal with one person who already knows your property, your preferences, and the history of your landscaping. That saves you from re-explaining things to a rotating crew every visit. Every maintenance client at GSU gets a dedicated contact for exactly that reason. Maintenance clients also earn referral savings and credit back on enhancement work through the GSU Advantage.
Look for Quality-Control Follow-Up
Dependable landscapers check their own work instead of waiting for you to flag a problem. Regular quality-control visits catch small issues early and keep a yard looking sharp through the year. At GSU, these management visits come at no extra charge and act as a second set of eyes on your property.
Know the Red Flags
A few signs should give you pause:
- No proof of license or insurance
- No written estimate, or cash-only pricing
- Vague scheduling and slow replies
- No local reviews or references
- Pressure to sign on the spot
- A bid far below everyone else’s
A price well under the rest of the market usually means something important is left out, like insurance or a trained crew. We cover the reasoning in Why Might Green Side Up Cost More
Questions to Ask Before You Hire
You do not need a long checklist. A few questions surface most of what you need:
- Are you licensed and insured, and can I see proof?
- Who will be my point of contact?
- How often will you visit, and what is included each time?
- What happens when weather disrupts the schedule?
- Do you perform quality checks?
- Can I get the estimate and terms in writing?
Walk the Property Together First
A walk-through is one of the clearest signs of professionalism. It lets you talk through your goals and gives the landscaper the chance to assess the property in person instead of guessing from the street. We offer in-person visits to review your landscape and put together a proposal that fits your home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should a landscaper be licensed and insured in Virginia?
Yes. A landscaping company should carry general liability insurance and workers’ compensation, and anyone applying pesticide or fertilizer commercially should hold the certification Virginia requires. Ask for proof before work starts.
How do I know if a landscaper is reliable?
Check licensing and insurance, read recent local reviews, ask for a written estimate, and confirm you will have one point of contact. A company that answers all four plainly is usually one you can count on.
How much does landscape maintenance cost?
It depends on your property size, the services in your plan, and how often you want visits, so a single number online won’t tell you much. The most accurate figure comes from a quote on your property. You can check our pricing or try our instant estimate to see where you’ll land.
Is the cheapest landscaper the best choice?
Rarely. A bid far below the market usually leaves something out, from insurance to trained crews to the seasonal care that keeps a yard healthy. Compare what each quote includes.
Looking for a Maintenance Partner You Can Count On?
If you want a maintenance relationship based on communication, consistency, and plant health, we would be glad to help. Start with an instant estimate for your property, or schedule service.
About the Author
Craig Attkisson is the Owner and General Manager of Green Side Up Landscaping, holding a B.S. in Agronomy and Horticulture from Virginia Tech. His passion for the outdoors started early — growing up on a Christmas tree farm and mowing baseball and soccer fields as a 10-year-old entrepreneur. That foundation led to hands-on experience at Hanover Country Club, followed by a unique opportunity during his time at Virginia Tech to study abroad in South Africa, researching cultural diversity, climates, agrometeorology, and large-scale irrigation. After returning to the U.S., Craig built his expertise across all three Country Club of Virginia golf courses before becoming Second Assistant Superintendent at Hermitage Country Club. In 2004, he channeled that deep-rooted knowledge into founding Green Side Up Landscaping — with a singular focus on delivering the best lawn care and landscaping service possible to every client.
