10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Landscaper
A good landscaper transforms your outdoor space. A bad one leaves you with drainage problems, dying plants, and uneven paving. Ask before you dig.
Our in-house team of qualified, insured landscapers covers all of NW London.
Get a Quote1.Are you a member of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) or the Association of Professional Landscapers (APL)?
BALI and APL members are vetted, carry appropriate insurance, and adhere to professional standards. Membership also provides a dispute resolution process.
Yes — I am BALI registered. My member number is X. You can verify it on their website and see my profile.
No trade body membership, or claiming it is not necessary for residential garden work.
2.Can I see a portfolio of completed gardens — particularly similar in size and style to mine?
Landscaping quality is highly visible. A portfolio shows design ability, quality of hard landscaping, and whether planting schemes are appropriate for the soil and light conditions.
Here are six gardens I have completed in the past 18 months, including two in NW London with similar soil conditions. I can arrange visits to any of them if the owners agree.
Portfolio only shows design renders, not completed projects, or images that look like stock photography.
3.What is your approach to drainage — and how do you assess it before quoting?
Poor drainage is the most common and expensive landscaping failure. London clay soil drains badly. Hard landscaping without a drainage plan creates flooding, waterlogging, and structural problems.
Drainage assessment is part of my site survey. I probe the soil, check the fall of the garden, and design a drainage solution into every hard landscaping scheme. It is not optional.
No mention of drainage in the initial survey, or treating it as something to deal with "if it becomes a problem".
4.Is your planting knowledge current — and will you advise on species suited to this specific garden?
Planting the wrong species for soil type, sun exposure, or garden microclimate leads to plants that die within a year. A good landscaper knows the soil in your area and chooses accordingly.
I assess soil type, pH, light levels, and prevailing wind before specifying any plants. NW London tends to have clay-heavy, alkaline-leaning soil — here are the species I would recommend.
Using a standard planting list regardless of site conditions, or unable to explain why they are specifying particular plants.
5.Do you handle all structural elements — fencing, retaining walls, steps — or do you subcontract?
A landscaper who handles everything provides better coordination and accountability. One who subcontracts widely has less control over quality and timeline.
My team handles all hard landscaping including fencing, steps, and retaining walls. I subcontract only specialist work like electrical for outdoor lighting, using electricians I have worked with for years.
Subcontracting major elements to people you have never met, or no clarity on who is responsible for each element.
6.What materials do you use for paving — and can I see samples?
Indian sandstone, porcelain, granite, limestone, and concrete paving blocks vary enormously in quality, slip resistance, and longevity. The substrate preparation is as important as the stone itself.
I use [specific brand/grade] with a full mortar bed on a correctly prepared sub-base. I can bring samples. Porcelain requires a specific adhesive method — happy to explain the difference.
Budget materials with a thin dry-lay installation, or unable to specify the sub-base preparation method.
7.How do you handle tree roots and existing mature planting?
London gardens often contain mature trees with significant root systems. Cutting roots carelessly can kill trees and create subsidence risks. Some trees have preservation orders.
I assess all mature planting before planning. I check for TPOs. I work around significant root systems with root barriers and permeable surfaces. I do not cut roots without considering the consequences.
No mention of TPOs or root protection, or treating mature trees as obstacles to be removed without consultation.
8.What is the project timeline — and how do seasonal conditions affect it?
Landscaping has seasonal constraints. Planting is best in spring or autumn. Hard landscaping in frost risks damaged mortar. A professional plans around these constraints rather than ignoring them.
For your project, the ideal sequence is: hard landscaping [month range], planting [month range]. This avoids frost for mortar work and gives plants the best start. I can work around your timeline within these constraints.
Ignoring seasonal constraints or claiming any time of year is equally suitable for all work.
9.Do you include a maintenance visit after planting — and who is responsible if plants fail?
Newly planted specimens need establishment care — watering regimes, staking adjustments, mulching. A good landscaper includes a return visit and is clear about their responsibility if plants die.
I include a 3-month establishment visit to check plants are settling in. For plants that fail due to unsuitable selection or poor preparation, I replace them. For plants lost to drought or disease, we discuss case by case.
No follow-up visit and no responsibility for plant failure once they leave site.
10.Are you insured — and what happens if your machinery damages underground services?
Landscaping machinery can damage gas pipes, water mains, and electrical cables. Public liability insurance and confirmation of cable-tracing before digging are essential.
I carry £5 million public liability insurance. Before any digging deeper than 300mm I check with the owner about underground services and use a cable avoidance tool.
No cable tracing before digging, or inadequate insurance for the scale of machinery being used.
Skip the research — our team is ready
Every landscaper at Hampstead On Demand is qualified, insured, and experienced with NW London properties. We do the due diligence so you do not have to.
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