Landscaping and hardscaping references have a unique characteristic that sets them apart from most other trades: the best references are older ones. A new interlock patio looks great the week it’s installed. Whether it still looks great — level, stable, with no heaving or joint erosion — after two your region winters is the real test. Ask specifically for work that has been in place long enough to have been tested by time and weather.
“When I give references, I always include jobs from three or four years ago alongside recent work. The older references are the ones that show whether the base was built correctly, whether the drainage was designed well, and whether the plants were appropriate for the site. Anyone can make a new installation look good. The proof is in how it ages.”
— Nadia Petrov, certified landscape professional and hardscape designer with 21 years of experience in residential landscape and hardscape installation in the local area
Table of Contents
How to Ask for References
Can you give me references from similar projects — including at least one that’s two or more years old?
For hardscaping specifically, ask for references from jobs that have been through at least two freeze-thaw cycles. Interlock that hasn’t heaved after two winters was probably installed with an adequate base. A retaining wall that’s still plumb after two years was probably built correctly.
For soft landscaping, one to two years is enough to assess whether plants were appropriately selected for the site and whether planting design decisions were sound.
What a good answer looks like: A mix of recent and older references, specifically from projects comparable to yours in scope and material type.
Can I see photos or visit a completed project?
Photos are useful. A site visit — with the original homeowner’s permission — is better. Being able to walk an interlock driveway, look at the wall alignment on a retaining wall, and see how plantings have matured tells you more than any photo. Ask whether any past clients would allow a brief visit.
Questions to Ask the References
What was the scope of the work, and how long ago was it done?
Establish context first. What was installed — interlock patio, retaining wall, full soft landscaping, drainage system? How long ago? Over what sized area?
How does it look and perform today?
This is the central question for hardscaping references. Has the interlock remained level? Is there any heaving or settling? Has the retaining wall remained plumb and stable? Are there any drainage issues — water pooling, erosion, or runoff problems — that weren’t present before?
For soft landscaping: are the plants thriving? Did any die within the first year, and if so, how was that handled?
Did the project come in on budget?
Landscaping and hardscaping projects have legitimate variables — grading surprises, unexpected rock, additional drainage needs. Ask whether the final cost was close to the original quote and how any additional costs were communicated and approved.
How was the crew to work with?
Landscaping crews often work on your property for days or weeks. Ask whether they were professional and respectful, whether they communicated clearly about daily progress and any issues, and whether the site was left in good condition each evening.
Was there anything that wasn’t done to your satisfaction, and how was it addressed?
An open-ended question that surfaces things a reference wouldn’t otherwise volunteer — a section of interlock that had to be relaid, a plant that died and wasn’t replaced, a drainage issue that took multiple visits to resolve.
Would you hire them again?
Simple and definitive. Listen for the speed and confidence of the answer.
Beyond References: Checking the Portfolio and Public Record
A recognized landscaping trade association member directory: Check whether the contractor is an active a recognized landscaping trade association member at landscapeontario.Com. LO members agree to a code of ethics and many hold the Landscape Industry Certified (LIC) designation.
Google Reviews: Look for patterns across many reviews. Recurring mentions of base failures, drainage problems, or plant die-off are significant.
HomeStars: Canadian platform with verified reviews for home service contractors.
Photos on their website or social media: Look for photos that show the base being prepared — not just finished product photos. A contractor who photographs their base preparation is proud of it. One who only shows finished product photos may be hiding what goes underneath.
Related Questions
- Questions to Ask a Landscaper or Hardscaping Contractor Before You Hire One
- Questions to Ask When Getting a Landscaping or Hardscaping Quote
- Red Flags When Hiring a Landscaper or Hardscaping Contractor
Have a question we didn’t cover? Submit it below.