Why Hire a Licenced Landscaper
Any construction project in your home involves investing a lot of time and money. Hiring a licenced landscape contractor will lessen the risk of shoddy workmanship. Furthermore, landscaping involves technical skill, and the build itself involves a lot of structural aspects which, if not done by a qualified, licenced professional, may pose a risk to your and your family’s safety.
More importantly, without a licence, the landscaper will not be able to obtain landscaping insurance. Any landscaping work needing Council approval applications will require the landscaper licence details to complete the work.
Some types of landscaping work require a licence to be carried out in NSW.
How to Check for Landscaping Licence NSW
Now that you know that hiring a licenced landscape contractor is crucial, the next step is to check whether the contractor is licenced. You can check the landscape contractor’s licence validity through the NSW Fair Trading Association.
Who Will Supervise the Work?
If the structural landscaping job is large, the landscape contractor may get a supervisor to supervise the work. Make sure that the supervisor holds a Supervisor Certificate from NSW Fair Trading.
Know How Much the Work Will Cost
Before you sign the contract, make sure you discuss the cost of the project, and the other incidental costs that may arise in the course of the build. It would be better to have an itemised list in your contract instead of just one lump sum. Either way, you need to have the total cost of works clearly outlined in your contract.
Check for any “provisional cost items,” because they may alter the total cost later on in the project. Ask questions and make sure everything is clear to you, before you sign.
When Will Progress Payments be Made?
The landscaper should provide, in the landscaping contract agreement, a schedule of progress payments. These would be the “milestone payments,” or payments for each specific stage of work, and the payment required for each.
The period, amount, and percentages should be clearly specified.
What Happens When There is Defective Work?
The process for addressing defects should be clearly set out in the landscaping contract. This includes when to make a Defects List, when and how to notify the landscaper, and the process and time periods for the landscaper to rectify defects. It is also important for the contract to have a process on what to do should the landscaper be unable or unwilling to rectify the defect.
How We Can Help
Of course, there are other contract terms that need to be reviewed as well. If you want to take extra precaution, you may opt to engage a specialist Construction Lawyer for a thorough Contract Review. Said review includes recommendations and advice on how you can effectively administer your contract.
Contracts Specialist has been in the active practice of Construction Law for more than 10 years now, and has proven expertise and experience in managing construction contracts, which includes the specialised area of Contract Review and Advice.
Should you wish to get in touch with us, feel free to give us a call. First consult is free.
