Get Quotes from Top Landscapers in Columbus, OH

Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Columbus?

Columbus requires Landscapers to register as home improvement contractors to carry out landscaping jobs in the city. Depending on the kind of work needed, a landscaper must register with the Columbus Building and Zoning Services as either a home improvement general contractor or a home improvement limited contractor. The home improvement general contractor license covers structural alterations and construction of accessory structures. The home improvement limited contractor license covers, among other residential projects, the construction of residential swimming pools, sidewalks, and driveways

Landscapers seeking the general contractor license must have at least three years of hands-on installation experience in single-family, two-family, and three-family home improvement. This license also requires the professional to complete and pass the Ohio Home Improvement Contractor 767 examination with a grade of at least 70%. Similarly, landscapers pursuing a limited contractor license must possess a full year of hands-on installation experience in single-family, two-family, and three-family home improvement.

Alternatively, the following category of people may qualify for a general or limited contractor license:

• A registered design professional with a current and valid certificate as an architect or engineer as allowed by the Ohio Revised Code who has experience in residential design and construction
• A graduate architect or engineer with at least a year's experience as a designer or installer in the specific field of work for the type of home improvement contractor license.

Operating without a home improvement license in Columbus is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00, a sentence of up to 180 days in prison, or both. Every day the infraction or noncompliance continues is a separate and distinct offense.

Verifying the licensing status of any Landscaper you intend to hire is a fantastic idea. To find out whether a landscaper is duly licensed in Columbus, you can use the Columbus online licensing database. For more information on the licensing process for landscape contractors, you can contact the Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 or visit their office at:

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

It is essential to carefully confirm the billing mechanism employed by the landscaper you are considering hiring. This is because landscape companies in Columbus often charge for their services using either an hourly or square footage fee billing structure. Landscaping expenses are impacted by various factors, including the sort of landscaping work to be done and the labor intensity of that job. As a result, while trying to hire a Landscaper in the city, it is prudent to get quotes from several landscape companies. You may compare rates and come up with an average cost for your job by acquiring such estimates.

A landscaper in Columbus earns an average wage of $51,490 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Columbus against those of this category of professionals across the rest of Ohio and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Columbus Landscape Ordinance?

A successful landscaping project begins with ensuring that your landscaper is familiar with and abides by the standards and guidelines of the Columbus Code of Ordinance. The city's landscaping laws, which can be found under the Zoning Codes section, comprise restrictions and provisions that seek to bring structure and order to the city's landscape. These regulations aim to improve the city's physical, social, economic, and decorative environment by enforcing appropriate landscape design and construction for all land uses. They also ensure that any landscaping work in the city conforms with all applicable city and state conventions. Furthermore, they establish required regulations to protect the public's safety when interacting with landscapes across the city. They cover the following:

• Screening requirement
• Fences specifications
• Dumpsters placement
• Ground-mounted mechanical equipment
• Plant specifications

Confirming that your preferred Landscaper is conversant with and follows the rules ensures that your landscaping job will not break any city codes. This protects you against the financial, legal, and physical consequences of ordinance violations. Contact Columbus Building and Zoning Services at (614) 645-7433 to learn more about the city's Landscape Ordinance and how it may affect your landscaping project. Code violations can be reported by phoning the agency at (614) 645-2202, sending an email, or using their online platform.

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

Whether or not you will be requiring a permit for landscaping work largely depends on the kind of project you are undertaking. Property owners and contractors licensed or registered to work in Columbus can obtain permits. Property owners can get permits for structural work that involves the addition, alteration, repair, or replacement of an existing single-family residence in which they live. They can also seek a permit to demolish an accessory structure to an existing single-family home.

However, property owners are unable to get permits for work that will be completed by a contractor. Such jobs require a Columbus licensed or registered contractor to acquire the permit. It is necessary to remember that obtaining the necessary permits for the proposed project is not always the only requirement.

The permitting procedure starts with submitting an application and any associated plans that may be necessary for approval. You can use the city's citizen's access portal to purchase a permit online. Depending on the nature of the work, the plans are forwarded to various departments for review when the application is received. The permit is issued after each needed review has been approved, and work can commence. You can contact the city's Building and Zoning Services for further information about the permits you'll need for your landscaping project by calling (614) 645-6090 or sending an email.

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

Landscapers in Columbus offer a broad array of services to prospective clients. From general services like landscape installation, irrigation systems, and drainage solutions to more specialist services such as hardscaping, softscaping, and xeriscaping, the professional landscaper has got you covered. These activities can require a broad knowledge base and skill set, even in fields like horticulture and arboriculture. As a result, it is always a good idea to check your potential landscaping contractor's areas of expertise to ensure they are the right fit for the job.

It is also a good idea to ask for images of recent landscape jobs completed by the prospective Landscaper, especially if your specifications are similar to theirs. Professional landscapers will readily provide this information, and any firm that refuses should be avoided. Then, for the project you wish to complete, you should request a cost estimate. This gives you an estimate of how much you'll have to pay. The following are cost estimates for basic landscaping services in Columbus:

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

Local climate conditions largely influence the type of grass you can grow and your lawn's overall health and attractiveness. Columbus has a Koppen Climate Classification subtype of Hot Summer Continental Climate. Large seasonal temperature fluctuations characterize this, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and freezing (occasionally bitterly cold) winters. Every year, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, blizzards, and winter storms affect Columbus' climate, including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, blizzards, and winter storms. In many parts of the city, precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.

The best grasses that thrive in Columbus because of its peculiar climate are:

• Fine fescue.
• Kentucky bluegrass.
• Perennial ryegrass.
• Tall fescue.
• Buffalo grass

Always consult a professional landscaper before planting any of these grasses on your lawn to guarantee the greatest and healthiest results. To find qualified Landscapers, look for them online using the Columbus Citizen Portal or through reputable organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals and the Better Business Bureau.

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

While landscapers in Columbus are not obliged to carry insurance, it is a good idea to ensure they do, whether it is the usually requisite Commercial General Liability or Workers' Compensation. It is always advisable to ensure that any landscaper you hire is adequately insured. This is particularly so because of the severity of injuries that a landscaper may sustain on the job. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts the fatality rate for the landscape services industry at roughly 25 deaths per 100,000 workers, comparable to more recognized high-risk jobs like agriculture and mining. Insurance will protect you in the event of an accident at work.

Ensure you obtain a copy of your landscaper's valid insurance certificate that takes care of any injuries or unintended property damage that may occur during the project. These documents should also be verified with the appropriate insurance carrier. Contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at (614) 644-2658 for additional information about landscaper insurance in Columbus, or stop by their office at: