Should the landscaper I hire be licensed, bonded and insured?

Intro
Your yard is one of the most important aspects of your home. It’s not only the first thing people see when they drive to your home, it’s also the first thing they see when they drive by your home. However, not all of us have the time to care for our lawn which is where landscapers play an important role in lawn care maintenance. But, when there’s so many to choose from how do you know which one to pick? Should they be licensed? What does bonded mean? Is their work insured?

Firstly, yes…now, let’s talk about what licensed, bonded, and insured actually mean.

Licensed
In many states, if a company is not licensed it cannot also be insured or bonded so this is the best place …show more content…
Contractor’s insurance is a two-party contract between the contractor and an insurance company, protects the contractor from financial loss, and comes in two forms: liability insurance and worker’s compensation. Liability insurance covers damage to your property caused by the contractor but does not cover incomplete work, and worker’s compensation covers wages and medical expenses of workers who are injured on the job.

So, how does this impact you? Well, let’s say you hire a contractor that doesn’t have insurance and/or a license and they get seriously injured or killed while completing your project. The legal system could potentially determine that you are considered legally responsible for the accident and also find you financially responsible for the worker’s medical expenses and/or wrongful death.

Closing
If you’re still unsure about all of the above, just remember that a licensed landscaper will also be bonded and insured so if you’re looking for a starting point, you should absolutely start with the licensed contractors. A licensed contractor needs at least three years of experience in the landscaping field and has to pass an exam to ensure they are knowledgeable in the area’s climate, soil, and greenery, as well as environmental standards and