What questions should I ask before hiring a landscaping company in NB?

Before signing with any landscaping company in New Brunswick, you should ask at least ten specific questions covering insurance, experience, materials, timeline, and warranty — and evaluate the quality of their answers as much as the answers themselves. A professional company will welcome these questions and answer them confidently with documentation, while fly-by-night operators will dodge, deflect, or pressure you to "just trust them."

Insurance and legal compliance questions come first. Ask: Do you carry general liability insurance, and what is your coverage amount? Most reputable NB landscapers carry $2-5 million in coverage. Ask for a certificate of insurance — don't just take their word for it. Ask: Are your employees covered by WorkSafeNB? This is legally required in New Brunswick for construction and landscaping workers, and if they're not covered and someone is injured on your property, you could be drawn into the claim. Ask: Is your business registered in New Brunswick? You can verify this through Service New Brunswick's corporate registry.

Experience and capability questions reveal whether they can actually deliver. Ask: How long have you been doing landscaping in New Brunswick? NB's climate, soil conditions, and seasonal challenges are specific enough that experience in the province matters significantly — a company from outside the Maritimes won't understand NB's acidic soils, frost depths of 1.2-1.5 metres, or the nuances of Zone 4-5 plant selection. Ask: Have you completed projects similar to mine? Request photos and references from 3-5 recent projects that match your scope.

Material and method questions protect your investment. Ask: What specific plants, soil, stone, or other materials will you use, and where are they sourced? NB-grown nursery stock is typically better acclimated than plants trucked in from Ontario or further south. Ask: What is your soil preparation process? Proper soil preparation is the most commonly cut corner in landscaping — a company that says "we'll just plant right in the existing soil" is setting you up for failure, especially in NB's acidic, often clay-heavy ground. Ask: Will you do a soil test before planting?

Timeline and logistics questions prevent misunderstandings. Ask: When will you start, and when will you finish? Get specific dates in writing, not vague commitments like "sometime in June." Ask: Who will be on-site daily — will you personally supervise, or will a crew leader manage the project? Ask: What happens if weather delays the project? NB's unpredictable spring weather can easily push timelines back, and a good company has contingency plans.

Financial and warranty questions protect you after the work is done. Ask: What is your payment schedule? Never pay more than 30-50% upfront, with the balance due upon satisfactory completion. Ask: Do you warranty your plants and workmanship, and for how long? Standard NB industry practice is one growing season for plant material and 2-5 years for hardscaping. Ask: What does the warranty cover specifically — replacement plants, or just labour to reinstall? These questions collectively take 15-20 minutes to discuss but can save you thousands in avoided problems.

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