How to Choose a Landscaper in Brisbane

Hiring the right landscaper makes the difference between a project you love and one you regret. Follow these 10 tips to find a qualified, reliable Brisbane landscaper — or let us match you with pre-screened professionals for free.

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10 Tips for Choosing a Brisbane Landscaper

Whether you are planning a $5,000 garden refresh or a $60,000 backyard transformation, these tips will help you make the right choice.

Check Their QBCC Licence

In Queensland, any landscaping construction work valued at $3,300 or more must be done by a QBCC-licensed contractor. Search the QBCC online licence register to verify their licence is current and covers the type of work you need. An unlicensed operator cannot legally provide Home Warranty Insurance.

Verify Public Liability Insurance

Ask for a certificate of currency showing a minimum $10 million public liability insurance. This protects you if a worker or third party is injured on your property, or if the work causes damage to neighbouring properties. Reputable landscapers will provide this without hesitation.

Get at Least 3 Written Quotes

Comparing quotes helps you understand the market rate and what is included. Ensure each quote itemises materials, labour, timeframes, and exclusions so you are comparing like-for-like. The cheapest quote is rarely the best value — focus on scope and quality.

Ask for Recent References & Photos

Request contact details for 2 to 3 recent clients and photos of completed projects similar to yours. Speak to past clients about the quality of work, communication, timeliness, and whether the final cost matched the quote. Before-and-after photos reveal a landscaper's actual capability.

Insist on a Written Contract

Queensland law requires a written contract for domestic building work over $3,300. The contract should include a detailed scope of work, total price, payment schedule, start and completion dates, allowances for variations, and a dispute resolution process. Never proceed on a verbal agreement alone.

Check Online Reviews

Read Google reviews, Facebook reviews, and industry platforms like HiPages or Houzz. Look for patterns rather than isolated comments. A landscaper with 50 reviews averaging 4.5 stars is more reliable than one with 3 perfect reviews. Pay attention to how they respond to negative feedback.

Understand the Payment Schedule

A standard payment schedule is a deposit of no more than 10 percent (up to $13,800 in QLD), with progress payments tied to completion milestones. Never pay the full amount upfront. Avoid landscapers who demand large cash deposits or refuse to provide receipts.

Confirm They Handle Council Approvals

If your project requires council approval — retaining walls over 1 metre, tree removal, or pool fencing — ask whether the landscaper manages this process or if you need to arrange it yourself. Experienced landscapers have established relationships with certifiers and engineers.

Ask About Warranties & Aftercare

Queensland provides statutory warranties on domestic building work, but also ask about the landscaper's own warranty on plants, materials, and workmanship. A good landscaper will offer a maintenance period or aftercare advice, especially for newly planted gardens.

Trust Your Communication Instincts

The quoting process reveals how a landscaper operates. Do they return calls promptly? Do they listen to your needs? Do they explain options clearly? If communication is poor during the sales process, it is unlikely to improve during the project. Choose someone you feel comfortable working with.

Or Let Us Do the Work for You

Our free Find a Landscaper service pre-screens for QBCC licensing, public liability insurance, and online reviews. We match you with up to 3 qualified Brisbane landscapers based on your project — saving you hours of research.

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Choosing a Landscaper FAQs

At minimum, a Brisbane landscaper doing construction work over $3,300 must hold a current QBCC licence. Look for a licence class that covers the specific work you need — landscape construction, structural landscaping, or building work. Many also hold a Certificate III or IV in Landscape Construction or a diploma in Landscape Design.

Getting 3 quotes is the standard recommendation. This gives you enough comparison to understand pricing without being overwhelming. Ensure each landscaper visits your property and provides a written, itemised quote rather than a verbal estimate. We can match you with up to 3 qualified landscapers through our free service.

Requesting a large upfront payment — especially in cash — is the biggest red flag. In Queensland, deposits are legally limited to 10 percent of the contract price (maximum $13,800). Other red flags include no written contract, no QBCC licence, reluctance to provide references, and unwillingness to put pricing in writing.

For complex projects over $20,000, hiring a landscape designer to create the plan and then engaging a separate landscaper to build it can deliver better results. The designer focuses purely on the best outcome for you, without being influenced by construction methods or margins. For simpler projects, a design-and-build landscaper is usually efficient.

Yes. Our free Find a Landscaper service matches you with up to 3 QBCC-licensed Brisbane landscapers based on your project type, location, and budget. We pre-screen for licensing, insurance, and reviews so you can compare quotes with confidence. There is no cost or obligation.

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