Get Quotes from Top Landscapers in Philadelphia, PA

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Philadelphia?

Per the Home Improvement Consumer Protection Act (HICPA), landscaper contractors offering home improvement services between $5,000 to $50,000,0000 to private residential homes must register with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. It is unlawful for a Landscaper to offer home improvement services without registering with the Attorney General's Office. Such a violation will constitute a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on how much was paid to the erring landscaper.

Interested individuals can complete an application online to register with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General. Alternatively, they can complete and submit an application form to the mailing address indicated in the form. In addition, applicants must accompany their completed form with a $50 non-refundable processing fee. If the application is successful, the Attorney General's Office will register the landscaper. Before hiring your intended landscape contractor, It is advisable to verify their registration status by utilizing the Verify Contractor Registration tool maintained by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. For more information regarding the registration process, contact this office at (888) 520-6680.

If your intended landscaper is applying pesticide, the landscaper must possess a commercial applicator pesticide certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. To obtain this certification, applicants must pass one core exam and one category exam administered through the PaPlants website. Successful applicants must then attend training programs to maintain the certification. You can confirm if your intended landscaper possesses this certification via the Pesticide Business/Applicator Lookup tool provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, landscape architects who wish to offer services in Philadelphia must be duly licensed by the Pennsylvania Board of Landscape Architects (BLA) of the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA). To be issued licenses, interested individuals must obtain a pre-approval from BLA online to complete the Landscape Architect Registration Exam (LARE) administered by the Council of Landscape Architects Registration Boards (CLARB). In addition, applicants must meet the eligibility requirement, which includes providing proof of a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture and two years of experience obtained under the supervision of a design professional. Eligible applicants can sit for the exams, and if successful, they must transmit their exam results and pay a licensing processing fee of $60 to BLA to be issued a landscape architect license.

Note that it is considered misconduct for a landscape architect to perform work without a license, and such a landscape architect will be subject to disciplinary action. To avoid hiring an unlicensed landscape architect, you can verify the licensing status via the Verify License portal provided by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs.

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

Landscapers in Philadelphia charge an average of $16.87 per hour for their services. What influences how much a landscaper charges include the size of the property, the nature of landscaping work, and the workforce required for the proposed project. Before hiring a landscaper, getting estimates from at least three Landscapers is advisable to compare your proposed landscape project budget and avoid being overcharged for the project.

A landscaper in Philadelphia earns an average wage of $35,090 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Philadelphia against other individuals across the rest of Pennsylvania and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Philadelphia Landscape Ordinance?

When hiring a Landscaper in Philadelphia, you must ensure the landscaper is well-versed with the Philadelphia Zoning Code. The Zoning Code regulates the development and use of landscape within the city to improve its physical, economic, and aesthetic environment. The Code stipulates the minimum standard to be used when landscaping work in the city to protect public health, safety, and welfare. Hiring a knowledgeable and qualified landscape contractor guarantees you will not violate the Code, which may attract city-imposed penalties. As such, in addition to hiring a qualified and conversant Landscaper, you should also carry out your due diligence by directing your queries to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections. You can contact the city's Department of Licenses and Inspections by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311 directly.

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

Even though no specific landscaping permits are required for residential landscaping projects in Philadelphia, you may need zoning permits that authorize how you can use the ground within the city boundaries. According to Section 14-303(6) of the Philadelphia Zoning Code, no land or building may be constructed, converted, enlarged, or altered for use until a zoning permit has been obtained from the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections.

Determining the property's zoning district is usually the first step in obtaining a zoning permit, and you can rely on the city's Atlas tool to look it up. Once determined, you can apply for the relevant zoning permits for your proposed projects online using eCLIPSE; you can schedule a virtual appointment if you need help filling out the online application. Alternatively, you can apply for the relevant zoning permit in person by booking an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center at:

Note that the zoning permit application must always include the complete scope of the planned project and the property's current owner information. The applicant must then complete the relevant permit application and submit plans where applicable to L & I. If the city's L & I approves the permit application, the applicant will be issued the requisite permit and zoning permits for their project. Aside from relying on your well-versed landscaper for information, you can direct your queries regarding necessary landscape-related permits to the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspection by submitting an online request to 311 or calling 311 directly.

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

Landscapers in Philadelphia offer the residents different types of services. These services include landscape design like virtual garden design, landscape installation like hardscape and irrigation installation, and landscape maintenance like pesticide application. Before hiring your intended landscaping company, it is best to know what the landscaper specializes in and if they are the best fit for the work. This is because certain landscaping work requires varying experience, skills, and qualifications. For instance, when hiring a Landscaper to apply pesticides in your home, the landscaper must possess a commercial pesticide applicator certification issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. It is also advisable to know your intended landscaper's work and portfolio before hiring them to confirm your work will be done satisfactorily. You should also get a cost estimate of your planned project from your intended landscaper to ensure it is suitable for your budget. Listed below are cost estimates for common landscaping services available to residents of Philadelphia:

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

Philadelphia has unpredictable weather that alternates between hot summers and winters. The city is in a humid continental climate zone, which means higher chances for a higher precipitation rate. This makes Philadelphia weather a suitable one to have a healthy growing season. If you plan to plant your grass during the cool season in Philadelphia, the following are examples of grasses you may consider:

• Kentucky bluegrass
• Rough bluegrass
• Perennial ryegrass
• Tall Fescue
• Fine Fescues

However, if you prefer growing your grass in a warm season, you can consider planting Zoysia.

Picking the suitable grass for your lawn project requires you to conduct a lot of research. It is best to consult a professional landscaper to determine the grass breed ideal for your lawn. You can find a qualified Landscaper online, reputable online directories of the National Association of Landscape Professionals, or third-party websites like Better Business Bureau. Make sure you verify the registration status of your intended landscape contractor via the Verify Contractor Registration tool maintained by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

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

Landscaping accounts for an estimated 143,000 severe injuries annually in the country. Landscaping is considered physically demanding work, making landscapers susceptible to many hazards like slips, trips, falls, equipment accidents, cuts, and amputations. Even though landscapers are not mandated to carry an active liability insurance policy in Philadelphia, it is best to hire only an insured landscaper. Hiring a landscape contractor with an active liability insurance policy protects you from incurring any financial and legal costs resulting from an on-site injury sustained by your landscaper. As such, in addition to confirming your intended landscaper registration status, you must request a copy of their insurance certificate. You can take further steps by verifying the authenticity of the insurance certificate with the relevant issuing insurance carrier.