Get Quotes from Top Landscapers in Houston, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Houston?

There are no city-level licensing requirements for landscapers in Houston. However, any landscapers that provide services that involve the application of restricted-use or state-limited-use pesticides in the city are required to obtain a state-issued Commercial Pesticide Applicator License from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Applications for this license can be made online or by mailing a properly completed Application for Commercial Pesticide Applicator License Form to:

You can contact this department at (512) 463-7476, toll-free number (877) 542-2474, or via email to get more information on its licensing requirements and to verify that your landscaper has a valid applicator license where necessary.

Also, considering that landscapers in Houston are not required to possess occupational licenses, it is a good idea to look out for professional certifications among these individuals. Landscapers can obtain certifications from several reputable local, national, and international trade associations, and these certifications typically indicate that the contractors have attained a certain level of on-the-job experience and competence.

Examples of trade associations that issue professional certifications to landscapers in Houston include the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, the National Association of Landscape Professionals, the International Society of Arboriculture, the Tree Care Industry Association, and the Professional Grounds Management Society. Note that you should always request proof from any landscaping contractor that claims to be certified and authenticate this proof with the appropriate trade association.

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

Landscaping costs in Houston are heavily influenced by several factors, such as the nature and scope of the landscaping project and the cost of seeds, sod, and other materials that may be required. The size of the area that requires landscaping and the amount of energy that would be expended on the job also affects the amount of money you would have to pay for your landscaping project. Before commencing your project, you should consider getting estimates from several contractors in the city and comparing these estimates to get a fair idea of the average charges for your specific project. This is also an excellent way to avoid being overcharged by a particular landscape contractor.

A landscaper in Houston earns an average wage of $30,560 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Houston against those of this category of individuals across the rest of Texas and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Houston Landscape Ordinance?

The Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance regulates activities involving planting trees and shrubs, installing landscaping buffers, and preserving and caring for existing trees on private properties in the city. This ordinance establishes minimum planting requirements designed to ensure and maintain the livability of Houston in relation to landscape developments and green spaces. These requirements cover removing and replacing protected trees, planting shrubs, landscape buffers, street trees, parking lot trees, and protecting trees during and after construction projects.

It should be noted that the Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance's planting requirements apply to all new single-family residential, multi-family residential, and commercial developments. Projects involving additions to non-SF residential developments that exceed 1,000 square feet and new parking lots or expanded portions of old lots must also comply with these planting requirements. Failure to meet any applicable provisions of the city's Tree and Shrub Ordinance can result in potential fines of up to $500 per day for each violation. You can get more information on the Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance requirements by contacting the city's Planning and Development Department at (713) 837-7701 or (832) 393-6600.

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

Permits are typically required before the commencement of landscape-related projects in Houston. These permits include the Residential Landscaping Permit and the Commercial Landscaping Permit, which are required to install new landscaping on residential and commercial property. Likewise, individuals who wish to remove trees on city property or on a setback must obtain a Tree Removal/Tree Trimming Permit before doing so.

The Houston Permitting Center handles the issuance of landscaping permits, and applications for these permits can be made online via this center's eServices portal. The registration of a user account is required for the proper utilization of this portal, and the Permitting Center provides several guides on the portal that interested parties can use to navigate both the user registration and permit application processes. Note that the payment of a permit fee and the submission of a completed building permit application and landscape plans are generally required before the requested permits can be issued. The specific types of plans that will be required primarily depend on the nature and scope of the landscaping project.

Similarly, parties that wish to obtain Tree Removal/Tree Trimming Permits will have to submit a œwritten notice of intent to remove protected trees via email to the Urban Forestry Division of the Houston Parks and Recreation Department before commencing the online permit application process. Also, on-site inspections are typically conducted by authorized city officials once requested landscaping permits have been issued to ensure that the permitted work complies with the Houston Tree and Shrub Ordinance and other applicable city regulations.

You can direct queries related to Houston landscaping permits or get more information on the city's permitting process by contacting the Houston Permitting Center at:

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

Landscapers in Houston provide several services, including, but not limited to, lawn care and maintenance, lawn aeration and fertilization, mulching services, grass planting, and leaf and tree removal services. To ensure you get the best available service, you need to confirm that your intended landscaper specializes in the area or type of landscaping you need for your project. You can do this by getting verbal confirmation from the contractor and requesting proof through pictures of completed jobs and references from past clients. Professional landscapers who are adequately equipped to get the job done will readily provide you with this information, while contractors who cannot guarantee proper service delivery will be hesitant to do so.

Once you have ascertained that your intended landscaper is duly qualified for your specific landscaping project, you should find out how much this contractor will charge you for the job. Provided below are cost estimates for some landscaping services commonly offered by landscapers in Houston:

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

According to the Houston Climate Impact Assessment, there have been significant increases in the city's annual average temperature and the number of hot days and warm nights with temperatures above 100 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. Per this assessment, the city is also expected to face more significant variability in day-to-day precipitation and an increased drought risk over the rest of this century. Given these present and anticipated climate conditions, the best types of grasses for lawns in Houston are:

• Bermuda grass
• St. Augustine grass
• Zoysia grass
• Ryegrass
• Centipedegrass

These grasses are warm-season and drought-tolerant grasses that can withstand the city's climate. However, it should be noted that the results you will get from planting these grasses may be affected by factors like watering frequency, soil composition, and the amount of shade on your lawn. To get optimal results, you should always consult a professional landscaper. You can find these contractors in Houston online via platforms provided by reputable organizations like the Better Business Bureau, the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, and the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

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

There are no mandatory insurance requirements for landscape contractors in Houston. Regardless, ensuring that any contractor you hire is adequately insured is of utmost importance. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 4,764 fatal work injuries and 2.7 million nonfatal work injuries occurred across the United States in 2020. Landscaping is a particularly risky occupation, with lawnmowers alone causing an estimated 87,600 emergency room visits annually.

Hiring a landscape contractor with adequate liability insurance prevents you from making out-of-pocket payments to cover any potential injuries during your landscaping project. This insurance also typically covers the cost of any property damage caused by the contractor during the execution of this project.

Always request proof of liability insurance from landscape contractors you wish to hire. If the contractors have any employees involved in the project, they should also provide proof of workers' compensation insurance that covers these employees. Contact the relevant insurance organizations to validate the provided proof and to confirm that the insurance coverage is adequate for the scope of your project.