Short answer: Choose a landscaping company that clearly defines the work, communicates reliably, carries appropriate insurance, can confirm WorkSafeBC standing where applicable, and provides a written quotation that matches the result you expect.
Comparing only the final price can be misleading when two contractors are pricing different preparation, cleanup, material, or disposal. A short checklist makes it easier to compare equal scopes and avoid surprises.
Start with a specific request
Send wide photos, the address, approximate measurements, access details, and the main outcome. For recurring work, list lawns, beds, hedges, paths, and the expected frequency. For a project, identify material preferences and whether removal or disposal is part of the job.
Ask for a clear written quotation
The quote should identify the service areas, preparation, labour, materials, cleanup, disposal, price, scheduling assumptions, and exclusions. Clarify what happens if hidden conditions or a requested scope change are discovered after work begins.
Verify business and insurance details
Ask for the legal business name, liability-insurance information, and applicable WorkSafeBC details. WorkSafeBC recommends that customers hiring an independent landscaping or pressure-washing business obtain a clearance letter to confirm registration and payment status.
A clearance letter is available through WorkSafeBC’s online application. For managed, strata, and commercial properties, save the documentation required by the property manager or council before scheduling.
Look for relevant work, not just a large gallery
Before-and-after examples should relate to the service you need. Ask how access, debris, nearby plants, drainage, or aftercare were handled. Reviews can support the decision, but clear answers about your specific property are more useful than a generic promise.
Notice the communication process
A professional company should explain the next step, confirm scheduling, identify what the customer must prepare, and provide a way to report questions. For recurring maintenance, agree on one contact and how weather changes, gates, parking, pets, and extra work will be managed.
Aster Landscaping is WSBC covered, carries $5 million in liability insurance, and provides lawn, garden, hedge, blackberry removal, river rock, and pressure-washing services across Metro Vancouver. Send your property details and photos for a written quotation.
Sources and further reading
- WorkSafeBC: Homeowners Hiring an Independent Business
- WorkSafeBC: Clearance Letter
- Consumer Protection BC: Being a Savvy Home-Repair Consumer
Our guides combine reputable regional sources with practical observations from a crew bringing more than 15 years of hands-on outdoor service experience.
