12 Questions to Ask a Gardener Before You Hire
The questions worth asking a gardener before you book, covering scope, waste, equipment, timing and payment, with what a good answer sounds like.
A short conversation before booking can save a lot of frustration. These questions are designed to surface the details that quotes often leave out. You do not have to ask all of them, but the ones relevant to your job are worth getting answered in writing.
About the work
1. Can you describe how you would approach this job?
A good gardener can outline the order of work in a few sentences, such as cutting back first, then clearing, then edging. Vague answers may signal that they have not thought it through.
2. Have you done this type of work before?
Mowing and weeding are routine, but pruning ornamental trees, planting schemes or renovating a lawn need specific knowledge. Ask for examples of similar jobs, or photos if they are happy to share.
3. Is there anything you would not do?
Honest gardeners know their limits. They should say if the job needs a tree surgeon, an electrician for lighting or a landscaper for structural work. Our guide to landscaper vs gardener explains the difference.
About time and price
4. How many hours or days do you expect it to take?
This gives you a way to sanity-check the price. If one quote estimates two hours and another a full day, find out why.
5. Is that a fixed price or an estimate?
Fixed prices give certainty, estimates leave room to move. Ask what happens if the job overruns and whether extra costs need your approval first.
6. What is and is not included?
Typical extras include waste removal, materials, equipment hire and return visits. Ask for these to be listed.
About waste and materials
7. What will you do with the waste?
Options are taking it away, leaving it bagged for you, or composting on site. A fuller explanation of the options is in our guide to garden waste disposal.
8. Who supplies plants, compost or bark?
If they provide materials, ask about quantities and pricing. If you buy them, check specifications so the right products are bought.
About logistics
9. What tools and equipment will you bring?
Some work needs a tap, power socket or a clear route for a mower. Confirm what you must provide.
10. When can you start, and what if the weather is bad?
Ask about their rain policy, and how they will notify you of changes.
About working relationship
11. How will we communicate during the job?
Agree where you will keep the conversation: messages in the platform, a phone number for the day, and how to flag problems. Keeping a record in one place avoids mix-ups.
12. How is payment arranged?
Clarify when payment is due and how. Paying through the platform where you booked keeps the agreement clear for both sides. On Compito you accept an offer and pay online, and after the booking is completed you can leave a review. Read how it works for the sequence.
What good answers sound like
Look for answers that are:
- Specific: they refer to your garden, not generic statements.
- Transparent: they explain pricing without pressure.
- Practical: they mention access, waste and weather.
- Willing to put it in writing: a gardener happy to confirm the scope is usually a safe sign.
Warning signs
- Pressure to pay a large sum in cash before any work starts.
- Reluctance to give a written scope or price.
- A price that is far below other quotes with no explanation.
- Door-knocking offers of immediate work claiming you need urgent tree or roof work.
For more on safe hiring, see safety and trust.
Worked example: five questions that changed the decision
A homeowner has two similar quotes for a spring tidy. Rather than ask all twelve questions, they pick five: how would you approach it, how long will it take, what happens to the waste, what if it rains, and is there anything you would not do. Gardener A answers in detail, mentions that the large conifer at the back should go to a tree surgeon and offers a return visit if rain stops play. Gardener B answers briefly, says "we do everything" and cannot say how long it will take. The cheaper quote came from B, but A's answers made the decision easy.
Pick the questions for your job
| Job type | Most useful questions |
|---|---|
| Regular mowing | Frequency, edging, clippings, holiday cover |
| Hedge cutting | Height reached safely, waste, nesting birds |
| Clearance | Waste route, hidden-item policy, timing |
| Planting | Plant sizes, aftercare, who sources plants |
| Lawn renovation | Method, timing, seed and feed included |
Questions you may not think of
- Will anyone else be working on my garden, or subcontracting?
- How do you protect plants, paving and borders?
- What will you do if you discover something unexpected?
- Can you give me a rough time of arrival?
- How will you let me know if you are delayed?
Special cases
- Renters. Ask the landlord before any major work and tell the gardener what is allowed.
- Older relatives. Sit in on the conversation, or ask for answers by message that can be reviewed later.
- Wildlife or protected trees. Mention them early; see tree preservation orders and conservation areas.
Listen as much as you ask
The best signal is often how a gardener responds when you raise a concern. A calm, specific reply is worth more than a polished sales pitch.
Frequently asked questions
Is it rude to ask for references or photos of previous work?
Not at all. Most reputable gardeners expect it and are happy to share examples, or point you to reviews from previous customers.
Should I get everything in writing?
Yes, for anything beyond a small routine job. Written scope, price and dates protect both parties and make it easier to resolve questions.
How many quotes should I collect?
Two or three is usually enough. More than that can make comparison harder without adding useful information.