How to Choose a Landscaping Company on Cape Cod

Verify Licensing and Insurance

In Massachusetts, landscaping companies performing pesticide and fertilizer applications must be licensed by the Department of Agricultural Resources. Ask any prospective company for their pesticide applicator license number — you can verify it online. Beyond licensing, ensure the company carries general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Ask for a certificate of insurance before any work begins.

Ask About Local Experience Specifically

Cape Cod's landscaping challenges are different from the rest of Massachusetts. Sandy, low-nutrient soil, salt air that damages plant foliage, deer pressure in wooded areas, tick management concerns, and strict nitrogen management regulations are all local factors a general landscaping company may not handle well. Ask specifically: how many years have you been working on Cape Cod? What grass varieties do you recommend for this area, and why?

Get Three Written Quotes

A professional landscaping estimate should be detailed in writing — specifying which services are included, the products that will be used, frequency of visits, and payment terms. Beware of vague verbal quotes or estimates that seem too low to cover real labor and material costs. Compare three quotes line by line rather than just looking at the total price.

Read Reviews — and Ask for References

Online reviews on Google are a good starting point, but ask any prospective company for two or three client references you can actually call. Ask those references: Does the crew show up on time? Does the company communicate well about scheduling changes? Did the lawn improve over the first season? References tell you things reviews often don't.