While we'd all love to give our gardens the best care, sometimes our lack of skills or time thwart those plans. The next best option is to hire landscapers. Know that they're trained professionals and are knowledgeable, we leave our yards and gardens in their capable hands. Sadly, sometimes, they don't live up to their reputation or your expectations, forcing you to re-evaluate this relationship.
If your lawn starts to look weedy rather than manicured, your shrubs appear unkempt rather than tidy, or tree limbs start to look like brooms, your landscaper may not be doing the best job possible. At this stage, you're simply wasting money. You may also consider replacing them if they start skipping their shifts, behave unprofessionally, refuse to return your calls, or aren't upfront about their costs. Landscapers following unhealthy gardening practices like topping and lion-tailing, as well as those unmindful about plant placement, also may be worth reconsidering. Obviously, before making the final call, you should decide whether you'd like to give them a chance to fix these issues. If they don't offer any corrective action, it's a sure sign to pull the plug. With that said, here are 14 justified reasons to fire your landscaper.
They overpromise but underdeliver
Landscaping is a competitive business, and companies often underbid each other to secure clients. But that's no excuse to make tall promises that they can't keep. If, after months of work, your yard is still riddled with dandelions and crabgrasses or looks brown rather than verdant, that's reason enough to end the contract. Promising a pristine yard, but blowing clippings onto your flower beds or driveway, or skipping edging, is also a red flag. Moreover, failing to follow an agreed-upon chemical regime by insisting your trees or grass are "healthy" when you have seen signs of disease or overcrowded weeds signals negligence -- pre-emergent treatments are important! Overpromising could also include guaranteeing fast turnarounds for projects like paver installation, lawn sodding, or putting down privacy screens, then repeatedly missing deadlines. Agreeing to specialized tasks outside their expertise and butchering them, forcing you to redo the job, is also solid ground for dismissal.
In short, if your landscaper isn't meeting their contractual obligations, you're well within your rights to fire them. Going forward, avoid choosing solely on price. Instead, request multiple quotes, and look at past work before selection. Also, ensure that they hold the necessary licenses, such as a pesticide applicator license or ISA certification when necessary, for the contracted work. They must also carry insurance required by state laws.
They consistently show up late or miss appointments
If your landscaper doesn't show up for the scheduled appointments, you may have grounds to fire them. But, before making such a call, factor in a few things. Has the weather been nice this week? If it has rained, they may be running behind schedule and trying to catch up or waiting for more suitable weather for your project. After all, activities like mowing grass or spraying fertilizers can't be undertaken in stormy weather. They might be feeling under the weather or someone in their support team might have taken sick, making them short-staffed. Equipment breakdowns can also cause delays, especially for small companies with fewer resources.
If such forces are at play, and your landscaper has communicated their reasons for arriving late or missing their appointment, give them grace -- life happens to us all. But if you notice they've been skipping appointments repeatedly for several weeks, it's time to revisit the contract. If they fail to return your calls, terminate their services and leave them a message explaining why; you shouldn't have to chase people to complete work they've been hired for.
When you notice hidden costs or billing inconsistencies
You'd think a written contract would sort out the billing. Unfortunately, some landscapers mislead by promising a certain set of services to signal they're affordable, only to later claim that your yard needs more work. For instance, they may quote four chemical treatments for your mixed lawn, but later when they show up to do the work, insist on eight, since different grasses require distinct weed killers. If this wasn't explained up front, it's a sign of deliberate mis-selling, and you should consider terminating their services as soon as possible and replacing them with another company.
Spotting inconsistencies in what you're billed for also justifies firing. For example, while mulch does need periodic refreshing, invoicing you for it every month is excessive. Organic mulches typically need replenishing once a year, and inorganic ones even less frequently. In fact, topping mulch higher than 3 inches can be detrimental to your plants. Some landscapers also inflate post-storm charges in hopes of tapping into insurance payouts. If they can't clearly explain the work performed or provide documentation, it's time to move on to someone who can. Remember to always inspect the bill before clearing it.
They're wasting your money with poor plant placement
When you hire a landscaping company to plant up a barren spot or redesign your existing beds, you expect them to follow the adage "right plant, right place." This means they know which plants go where, ensuring they're well-adapted to your area and receive optimal growth conditions. But if they've been combining sun-loving plants with shade hoggers for aesthetic purposes, it's time you speak with them. Half of those plants won't survive and you'll have to spend further on replacements. Planting water guzzlers in arid areas or frost-tender plants in perennial borders similarly raises concerns about their expertise. Pushing plants into unfavorable spots stresses them out and raises upkeep costs.
Landscapers locating plants that shouldn't grow right next to your house because of shallow roots, mature size, messy litter, or invasive tendencies, are also not worth retaining. Keep an eye out, too, for unnecessarily expensive practices like overcrowding beds. When the plants' lateral spreads aren't accounted for, they grow into each other, blocking air flow and sight. This enables disease-causing organisms or pests to take shelter, necessitating future maintenance. Save yourself the heartbreak and labor, and opt for more honest, consistent, and knowledgeable landscaping experts only.
They plant trees too deeply into the soil
You should reconsider whether you want your current landscaper to still be looking after your lot if they're planting trees neck deep in the soil. Ideally, you should be able to see the root collar -- the crown part where the tapering tree trunk meets the ground. If it's buried deep, either beneath mulch or soil, it can cause serious problems for the tree in the long run. Such conditions cut off oxygen supply, forcing the tree to grow finer roots at ground level. Unfortunately, as the tree matures and widens in girth, these roots start to strangle it and hinder resource movement. Fungi feeding on dead plant matter may also take over, rotting it. After a few years, you'll be forced to excavate the dead tree.
So, monitor how your landscapers plant trees to prevent failures and costly replacements. Planting trees too deep is a sign of carelessness or lack of knowledge, which may extend to other tasks in the future. As a side note, be extra cautious when buying container-grown trees. Sometimes, nurseries pot the trees deeply, covering their root collar with soil. Since many landscapers aim to plant at the same grade as they were in their original containers, this can result in a buried root flare and eventual tree decline.
They leave mulch volcanoes in your landscape
Does your landscaper leave heaping piles of mulch in a conical formation around trees and bushes? These are sometimes called mulch volcanoes, and piling mulch in this way is a harmful practice taking over America's lawns. Some landscapers even carve a shallow moat around the drip line before mounding mulch to make it visually pleasing -- both for themselves and pests. If not for aesthetics, mulch volcanoes may be a result of cutting corners. Unloading a cartful of mulch willy-nilly without evening it out or raking it away from the tree's trunk definitely saves time.
If your landscaper leaves mulch volcanoes all over your yard and defends them by saying "everyone does it," fire them. These cones trap moisture against the trunk, rotting it. They also disrupt nutrient and oxygen flow, triggering the formation of a secondary root system that eventually girdles the tree. Worse, your trees won't have the ability to withstand cold and pest infestations. The decline may not show immediately, but when it does, the tree is usually past saving. As with many other time-saving practices, cone-shaped mulch beds may just be the first of many corners cut by a careless landscaper.
They top trees
Do you have a tree overtaking your roof? Perhaps you're dealing with a crape myrtle that was poorly pruned and looks awkward in winter or a windbreak that's seen better days. Either way, if your landscaper suggests topping -- removing upper limbs and leaving blunt stubs behind -- hire someone else. While the practice shortens a tree and lets in more light, this popular gardening technique can kill your trees.
Removing the canopy impairs the tree's ability to produce food and exposes the bark to sunscald. Such trees lose their defenses against rotting organisms and insects due to open wounds. The rapid regrowth that follows is structurally weak and prone to breakage in strong winds. Plus, it permanently distorts the tree's natural form. Worse, topped trees require annual pruning until they become due for a premature replacement, costing you dearly. Given the risks, it's best to fire a landscaper who is prone to this careless technique. In some areas, this sin against trees goes by other names, such as rounding over, hat-racking, lopping, tipping, de-horning, and stubbing. In the future, don't forget to look for trees that won't overtake your yard.
They undertake lion tailing
Another harmful practice that some inexperienced landscaping professionals indulge in is lion tailing. Just like a lion's tail has a huge puff of hair at the end, this practice leaves trees with a huge foliage bush at the top of their branches. Remember, clipping the interior branches and leaves to open up the canopy or improve wind resilience is futile.
If your landscaper lion tails trees, they're likely either not as knowledgeable as they purported to be, or they're being careless -- neither is a good sign. Like topping, lion tailing has a detrimental effect on trees. With the weight concentrated on the top branches, they're unable to distribute the pressure along their length, losing their ability to withstand wind action. Fewer leaves mean the trees can't photosynthesize per usual, making subsequent regrowth fragile. Plus, pruning wounds invite insects and diseases, turning them into a long-term liability. Fortunately, such trees can still be saved with years of corrective pruning. But you must fire your current landscaper and hire a licensed professional in their stead.
They prune or shape your perennials and shrubs incorrectly
It wouldn't be a stretch to say that your landscape maintainer's main focus is keeping the plants trimmed and tidy. But if your beds and borders look messy and neglected, re-examine their pruning and shearing techniques and consider canceling the contract if they aren't using the proper methods. Professionals shouldn't be trimming your plants with a weed whacker or loppers. That shows inexperience, a callous attitude, or simply penny-pinching. They should also adhere to the correct pruning schedule. For example, some plants shouldn't be pruned in summer, while others need pruning right after flowering to bloom again next year.
Pruning at random, rather than on a need and seasonal basis, can hinder flowering and plant health. Cutting back foliage excessively to the point of killing the plant also reflects poorly on them. Be wary of professionals shearing plants at every visit, even if they're ornamental in shape (like some decorative boxwoods). While such shrubs can be striking focal points, they often mask signs of decline since light cannot reach their interior, ultimately killing inner growth. Save yourself money by hiring landscapers experienced in shaping shrubs in their natural form or choosing varieties and cultivars that naturally hold those shapes.
They refuse responsibility for damaging your plants and property
There's no denying that accidents can happen during maintenance, despite the best efforts. Your landscaper could be mowing the grass, and the mower may ram into a nearby tree. Or, they could be edging the lawn, and a rock may sail into a glass window, shattering it. A crew may accidentally bust up sprinklers while cutting back plants. Or, they might overspill fertilizers, causing chemical burns or decimating an entire lawn patch.
Although such plant and property damage is heartbreaking, you don't immediately have to replace your landscaper. It gets worrisome only when they refuse to own up to their mistakes. Denying liability when their equipment caused damage or killed plants shows poor ethical conduct. Refusing to fix the damage is the coup de grace. So, don't think twice about firing them. That being said, make sure to hire contractors with solid insurance, so they can compensate for the damage without having to dip into their own pockets.
They repeatedly ignore your requests and offer conflicting advice
Imagine telling your lawn care provider that you'd like to repurpose your lawn clippings. Yet, they bag them up and place them on the curb. Or, when you ask for OMRI-certified products to maintain a more organic landscape, but they use synthetic chemicals instead. While it's human to make a mistake once or twice, it's disconcerting when repeated multiple times. Your landscaper should be able to justify their reasons for continually overlooking your requests. Otherwise, there's no point in retaining such contractors who fuel your frustration.
You should also be cautious of professionals rendering poor advice. For example, to make a quick buck, they may propose fertilizing the shade trees for faster growth. However, unless the soil is lacking (carry out a lab-based soil test to be completely sure), chances are it would simply leach away or burn the roots, damaging your trees. Moreover, if the maintenance provider changes their crew often, you may also encounter situations of conflicting advice. Either insist on them sending at least one member who's already familiar with your landscape, or look for one with a steadier team.
They follow poor weed management practices
Getting rid of weeds is a herculean task. Your lawn or garden may contain annual and perennial weeds, with both requiring different treatments. Weeds are also seasonal in nature, and they must be caught in the pre-emergent stage for effective control. This means your landscaper must constantly scope the land for seeds or seedlings to prevent them from establishing and seeding. But if they fail to do so, let them go. It's also highly irresponsible if they don't effectively deal with persistent weeds like Scotch and French broom and cheatgrass. Not only are these invasive, but also a major fire hazard in arid areas and highly unsafe within defensible zones.
Using non-selective herbicides and killing your grass when selective options are available is equally problematic. You can also hold them responsible for herbicide injury. If over- or misapplied, chemicals can drift into beds and borders, though the damage may not become apparent for a few months. Apart from treatment, you can fire landscapers for poor disposal practices. It's also not a good idea to burn weeds, especially ones like poison oak or sumac that emit harmful chemicals, or compost them when they have already flowered. To avoid such complications, always ensure your landscaper has the requisite qualifications, certifications, and licenses, as directed by your state laws. Also, pay attention to the products being applied to your yard.
They use dull or poorly-maintained equipment
You can may want to have a conversation with your landscaper if they are deploying dull equipment. Turf mowed with dull blades develops a brown cast from uneven cutting. Overgrown spots may suffer scalping, making your lawn susceptible to diseases. This raises maintenance costs significantly since you'll have to splurge on chemical treatments to get infestations under control. In certain scenarios, you may even have to resod the lawn. If your landscaping professional will not replace or service their equipment, it's time to hire someone else. Look out for warning signs indicating when a lawn mower's blades need sharpening after your landscaper's shift to prevent further damage.
Other than dull mowers, landscapers can also be guilty of using ill-maintained gardening tools. If your hedges appear chewed through rather than pristine, they were likely cut with dull trimmers, which leave frayed edges in their wake. Uneven holes or poor cutting of stray roots may indicate the use of unsharpened shovels. If the bark on your tree appears crooked, your maintenance landscaper may have deployed a dull chainsaw. Such repeat offenses warrant dismissal if you don't want to shoulder hefty expenses.
They display unprofessional behavior
Displaying unprofessional behavior is another valid reason to fire your landscaper. While it's normal for crews to play music as they work, it shouldn't be loud enough to disturb you or your neighbors. Nor is there any excuse for shouting matches, profanity, or physical altercations on your property. You can also dismiss them for trashing your property by leaving behind cigarette butts, food wrappers, or debris.
Landscapers conducting illegal activities, such as abusing drugs or filming on your property without permission, should also be kicked out, without question. A grayer area is communication issues: dodging questions, providing shifting explanations, or becoming defensive when asked for clarification can point to incompetent behavior. It's typically best to not continue working with providers who refuse to follow safety protocols and precautions. And if you ever find workers trespassing into areas deemed off-limits or moving personal items without permission, contact the company. In case there's no corrective action, don't hesitate to cancel their services.
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