Get Quotes from Top Landscapers in Austin, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Austin?

While landscapers operating in Austin are generally not required to have a license, certain landscaping projects may require specific licenses. For example, a license issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is required to install irrigation systems. Similarly, your landscaper will need a commercial pesticide applicator license from the Texas Department of Agriculture if the application of restricted or state-limited pesticide is part of your lawn care or landscaping project.

Landscapers carrying out irrigation projects must apply for a landscape irrigator license through the TCEQ's Occupational Licensing online application. The TCEQ sends an acceptance letter to the mailing address on the application once it has been received, reviewed, and authorized. Once they have obtained the approval letter, landscapers can register for the landscape irrigator exam by calling the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), which currently administers the exams, at (800) 723-3811. Applicants for the landscape irrigator exam must submit a copy of the TCEQ approval letter to the TEEX.

Operating without a landscape irrigator license is a Class C misdemeanor and is punishable by fines of up to $500.00 (in addition to related costs). To determine if your landscaper is duly licensed for irrigation work, use the TCEQ Search Licensing platform. You can direct all inquiries to the TCEQ office at:

For a commercial pesticide applicator license, landscapers can apply by filling out the Texas Department of Agriculture's online form or downloading and submitting a paper form to the Department's mailing address at:

Before final approval, the landscaper will also need to pass the general standards exam and at least one category exam, in this case, category 3A, Lawn and Ornamental Pest Control: Landscape Maintenance. Recertification as a licensed commercial applicator is yearly. To recertify, the landscaper must earn five continuing education credits, two of which must come from the following categories: laws and regulations, integrated pest management, and drift minimization.

Operating without a commercial pesticide applicator license is considered a maximum hazard potential violation with fines of up to $2000 for first offenders, $3000 for second offenders, and $5000 for third and subsequent violators. To check the license of your landscaper, use the Pest Control Business License platform.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Landscapers in Austin?

When it comes to billing, Landscapers in Austin often use either an hourly or a square footage fee billing system. Also, landscaping rates are often determined by factors such as the type of landscaping work to be performed and the labor intensity of the operation. As a result, you should always confirm this with any landscaping contractor you want to engage. When choosing a Landscaper in the city, you should compare rates and come up with an average cost for your job by acquiring several estimates from different professionals.

A landscaper in Austin earns an average wage of $32,540 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Austin against those of this category of professionals across the rest of Texas and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Austin Landscape Ordinance?

Ascertaining that your Landscaper is familiar with the Austin Landscape Ordinance's standards and requirements is critical in achieving a successful landscaping project. The essential elements of the landscape ordinance guide and regulate what a landscaper can and cannot do. The following are some of them:

• Street Yard Requirements
• Buffer Requirements
• Tree Mitigation
• Plant Selection
• Soil Conditioning and Mulching
• Protection of Landscape Areas
• Irrigation and Innovative Water Management

Confirming that your desired landscape contractor is familiar with the city's landscape ordinance and follows its regulations assures that your landscaping project will not violate any city code. In the end, it helps you avoid the penalties connected with ordinance infractions and the financial, legal, and physical hardship that these penalties often entail. You may learn more about the Austin Landscape Ordinance and how it can affect your landscaping project by contacting the Austin Code Department at (512) 974-2633 or visiting their office at:

Will You Get the Landscaping Permit Required as per the Austin Code?

Depending on the type of landscaping work you want to do in Austin, you may need to obtain a permit. Projects involving trees over 19 inches in diameter do not require tree permits in the city. While most landscape projects do not require permits, those that include construction (such as patios, arbors, fire pits, pools, or retaining walls) will need one. However, a permit might still not be required for these constructions if they meet Austin's conditions for permit exemption. Below are some landscaping works that do not require permits:

• The construction of a fence that is not above 8 feet (2,438 mm) high unless it is in a flood hazard area.
• The construction of a retaining wall that is not more than 4 feet (1,219 mm) tall measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless it is sustaining a surcharge or is located within a flood hazard.
• The construction of a one-story detached adjunct structure, such as a patio, with a floor space of no more than 200 square feet (18.58 m2) and a height of no more than 15 feet (4,572 mm), that does not form a dwelling, includes no plumbing, and is not located in a flood hazard area, is not considered a dwelling.
• The construction of a prefabricated swimming pool smaller than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.

Use the Residential Intake Request Form to submit the required permit application, revisions, and updates to Austin. For permit-related inquiries, please contact the Austin Permitting and Development Center at (512) 974-2000 or visit their office at:

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

In Austin, professional Landscapers offer a wide range of services to interested parties. Residential and commercial landscaping services, landscape installation, irrigation systems, drainage solutions, and more specialized services such as hardscaping, softscaping, and xeriscaping are all available. These services often involve a broad knowledge and skill set in areas such as horticulture and arboriculture. In view of this, it is advisable to ask your potential landscaping contractor to verify their areas of specialization so as to ensure that they are the proper fit for the work.

It is also a good idea to take a step further and ask for photos of recent landscape jobs they have done with the same requirements as yours. Professional landscapers will gladly offer this information, and any contractor hesitant to do so should be avoided. After that, you should ask for a cost estimate for the project you want to accomplish. Cost estimates for common landscaping services in Austin are listed below:

What are the Best Types of Grass for Lawns in Austin?

The type of grass you can plant in Austin is largely dependent on its climate. According to the Koppen Climate Classification, Austin has a Humid Subtropical Climate. Long, hot summers and short, mild winters characterize this climate, which also features pleasant spring and fall transitional seasons. Austin has an average daily maximum temperature in the mid to upper 90s Fahrenheit and receives an average of 35.5 inches of rain per year, with the wettest months being May, October, and June, in that order.

Due to its temperate climate, the best grasses to grow in Austin include:

• St. Augustine grass
• Lawngrass
• Buffalo grass
• Scutch grass
• Bermudagrass
• Ryegrass
• Muhly grass
• Mexican feather grass

Before planting any of these grasses on your lawn, you should always speak with a professional landscaper to ensure you receive the best results. Use trustworthy online organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals and Better Business Bureau to discover skilled Landscapers.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Landscapers in Austin?

While landscapers in Austin are not required to have insurance, it is advisable to ensure your landscaping company has some coverage, be it Commercial General Liability Insurance or Workers' Compensation Insurance. Given the seriousness of the injuries that a landscaper might get on the job, it is always in your best interests to ensure that any landscaping contractor you hire is fully insured. This will safeguard you in the event of a workplace mishap. Request a copy of your landscaper's insurance certificate to verify if the contractor is fully covered for any bodily harm or unintended property damage that may occur during the job. You should also double-check this documentation with the appropriate insurance company. For more information on landscaper insurance policies, you can call the Texas Department of Insurance's customer helpline at (800) 252-3439.