Shortlist businesses for the work you need at your property, then compare their written proposals and examples of similar jobs. Check both their services and coverage: this directory separates businesses based in your city from those based elsewhere that serve it. A nearby address can help narrow the search, but it cannot tell you whether a company is suited to the project.
Shortlist by the work you need
Start with the service you need. A company that specializes in mowing lawns might not have the right expertise to build a retaining wall, and a designer might hand over plans without providing an installation crew. Look at the services they list, then check their website or talk to them directly to confirm they handle your job. Pay attention to their city coverage notes to see if a listed service area is a hard limit or if they can still confirm travel to your specific location.
Ask to see relevant work
Ask for examples of projects similar to yours, and look for enough detail to understand how they handled the job. A nice photo of a planting project doesn't prove they know how to build structural retaining walls. Request the business's own photos, project descriptions, and relevant references.
Identify who will be on site
Find out who is coming to give the estimate, who will be supervising the crew on-site, and if any of the work is being subcontracted out. Agree on one contact for questions, site access, and changes to the plan. For specialized tasks, clarify who is responsible for providing things like drawings, reports, or assessments. Don't just assume a general business description covers every trade; check for the specific qualifications needed for your particular task.
Check the practical paperwork
You should ask for a written scope of work, a list of what is excluded, insurance info, and the terms of the warranty. WorkSafeBC provides guidance for homeowners and has a clearance-letter process you can use to check if a contractor is properly covered. If you are hiring an independent business, WorkSafeBC recommends checking their clearance standing. Hiring a worker directly can create different coverage responsibilities for you. Establish exactly what the professional relationship is rather than assuming every project is the same, and keep all your records before the work begins. A listing in a directory is not proof of insurance or WorkSafeBC clearance.
Choose a complete proposal
Compare the deliverables, work sequence, site access, cleanup, and aftercare. Make sure any items labeled as an "allowance" or anything left for later is clearly resolved. Ask how they document changes to the plan before any work moves forward. A good proposal helps both you and the contractor know exactly when the work is finished, even if the schedule gets pushed around by weather or material availability.
Compare the evidence behind each proposal
Use these three checks when two businesses describe their services similarly.
| Check | Useful evidence |
|---|---|
| Relevant work | Photos and descriptions provided by the business showing they have completed the same type of project. |
| Who does the job | Names of the estimator, the site contact, and details regarding any specialists or subcontractors used. |
| Comparable result | A written scope that includes the same inclusions, exclusions, cleanup, aftercare, and process for changes. |
Enquiry checklist.
- Confirm the exact service and property address.
- Request relevant project examples supplied by the business.
- Record the crew contact, the project scope, exclusions, and the process for changes.
- Verify applicable coverage and insurance before any work begins.
Common questions
Can a Burnaby gardener prune the boulevard tree during a yard cleanup?
You should check with the City before you add this to a job. Burnaby handles the inspection, pruning, and planting for trees owned by the City. You need to identify which trees are on your private property and which are on the boulevard; keep your private garden work separate from any requests for City tree services. Burnaby: City trees and private trees
Should I exclude a Surrey-based landscaper from a Langley project?
Where a business is based doesn't always dictate their service area. You need to check that the business lists the exact service you need and confirms they will come to your specific Langley address. Ask if they include travel, loading, and site visits in their quote. A business based outside Langley may still be a suitable choice.
Local questions for your project
Explore questions about costs, services and project requirements in your city.
