What is a Landscape Service Agreement?
A landscape service agreement is a contract between a client and a landscape service provider. The service agreement will cover all services to be provided in order to know exactly what to expect. It is crucial to read the entire contract from beginning to end before signing to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Topics included in your service agreement will be terms, payments, brick work or walkways, plants, lawn, changes, permits, project start and completion dates, termination, estimates, and any notices must be abided by.
Terms: The terms will set forth the basic agreement between the customer and the landscaping company.
Payments: This section will detail the payment terms agreed upon. Usually, this is a percentage down, with another percentage due in the middle of the work progress with a final percentage being paid after completion.
Brick Work: If applicable, this covers the quality of any bricks used.
Plants: The agreement will indicate the plants to be used and that they will be disease free. Usually, the landscaper will replace anything for 1 year after it has been planted.
Lawn: The lawn section will cover seeding or sod work.
Changes: Sometimes the landscaper has to substitute plants due to circumstances beyond their control. This is an explanation of what to expect if that becomes necessary.
Permits: The landscaper will cover what permits are required and who will be responsible for obtaining them, usually the homeowner.
Project Start and Completion: The start and ending date of your project is estimated by the landscaper. It also covers unexpected delays, etc.
Termination: The landscaper will offer the customer a few days to void the contract entirely, then details what happens if the contract is terminated early.
Estimates: Occasionally materials cost more than anticipated and the landscaper will want any additional expenses covered.
Notices: Pay close attention to this section. Some landscapers will attach a lien to a home for failure to make payment.