Hiring the wrong landscaper is one of the most expensive mistakes a Dublin homeowner can make. A poorly installed patio sinks within two years. A badly compacted driveway develops ruts and weeds. Substandard drainage fails to prevent flooding. And worst of all, you’ve paid thousands for work that needs to be ripped out and redone.
The landscaping industry in Ireland is unregulated — anyone can call themselves a landscaper, buy a van, and start quoting for jobs. That doesn’t mean most are bad (many are excellent), but it does mean the responsibility falls on you to distinguish the professionals from the chancers. Here are the eight things to check before you commit.
1. Public Liability Insurance
This is non-negotiable. Any landscaper working on your property should carry a minimum of €2 million public liability insurance. This protects you if a worker is injured on your property, if your property is damaged during the work, or if a neighbour’s property is affected. Ask to see the actual certificate — not just a verbal assurance. If a contractor becomes evasive or claims they don’t need insurance, walk away immediately.
2. Written, Itemised Quotations
A professional landscaper will provide a detailed written quote that breaks down every element: excavation, materials (with specific product names), sub-base specification, labour, waste removal, drainage, and any additional work. This transparency allows you to compare quotes meaningfully. Verbal quotes, round-number estimates, or vague one-line proposals make it impossible to know what you’re paying for — and impossible to hold the contractor accountable if the work falls short.
3. Verifiable Portfolio and References
Ask to see completed projects — ideally in person or with high-resolution photographs. Better still, ask for the addresses of recent Dublin projects you can drive past. Online reviews on Google, Facebook, or Trustpilot are useful indicators, but nothing replaces seeing actual work with your own eyes. A contractor who can’t show you examples of their work is either very new (higher risk) or doesn’t want you to see the quality (red flag).
4. Clear Payment Terms
Be cautious of any landscaper who asks for a large cash deposit upfront before starting work. A reasonable arrangement might be a small materials deposit (10–20%) with the balance due on completion. At Lion Paving & Landscaping, we never ask for payment until the work is finished and you’re satisfied with the result. If a contractor demands 50%+ upfront or cash only, consider this a serious warning sign.
5. Specific Material Knowledge
A good landscaper should be able to tell you exactly which products they’ll use and why. Ask: What brand of paving slabs? What depth of sub-base? What type of mortar or adhesive? What specification of drainage pipe? Vague answers like “standard materials” or “whatever’s available” suggest a lack of expertise or an intention to cut costs on materials. The best contractors specify products by name — Kilsaran cobblelock, Tobermore paving, Midland Stone sandstone — because they know what works.
6. Realistic Timeline
A professional contractor will give you a clear timeline with start and completion dates. A standard Dublin garden patio takes 3–5 days. A full garden renovation takes 1–3 weeks, depending on the scope. A driveway takes 3–5 days. If a contractor promises unrealistically fast completion (a full patio in one day) or is vague about dates, be cautious. Equally, if they’re available to start tomorrow, ask yourself why they’re not booked up — good landscapers are typically booked 2–6 weeks ahead during the busy season.
7. Understanding of Ground Preparation
The quality of any landscaping project — patios, driveways, artificial grass, retaining walls — is determined by what’s underneath. When discussing your project, a competent landscaper should talk unprompted about excavation depth, sub-base specification (MOT Type 1), compaction, drainage falls, and edge restraints. If the conversation jumps straight to the surface material without addressing the foundation, the contractor either doesn’t understand proper installation or plans to skip these critical steps.
8. Aftercare and Guarantees
Ask about guarantees on workmanship. Many professional landscapers offer 1–2 year guarantees on their installation work, separate from the product manufacturer’s warranty. Ask what happens if a block sinks, a slab cracks, or drainage fails within the guarantee period. A contractor who stands behind their work will welcome this conversation. One who doesn’t will change the subject.
Red Flags That Should Stop You From Hiring
| Red Flag | What It Usually Means |
| Demands large cash deposit upfront | Cash flow problems or flight risk |
| No written quote — verbal only | Can’t be held accountable, price may change |
| No insurance or won’t show certificate | You’re liable if anything goes wrong |
| No portfolio or references | Low quality work they don’t want you to see |
| Available to start immediately (peak season) | Not in demand — usually for a reason |
| Significantly cheapest quote | Cutting corners on materials or sub-base |
| No discussion of sub-base or drainage | Plans to skip the most important steps |
| Quotes by phone/text without visiting site | Can’t accurately assess the job |
| Unmarked van, no branded workwear | May be unregistered or operating informally |
How to Compare Landscaping Quotes Properly
Getting three quotes is standard advice, but comparing them is where most homeowners go wrong. Don’t just look at the bottom-line figure — the cheapest quote almost always means something has been left out or downgraded. Instead, compare the specific details: what depth of excavation is quoted? What sub-base thickness and specification? Which brand and type of paving slab? Are edge restraints included? Is waste removal and skip hire included in the price? Does the quote include a drainage provision?
A quote that’s €2,000 cheaper than the others often becomes more expensive when the “extras” emerge during the project — skip hire that wasn’t included, drainage that’s suddenly needed, or a sub-base that “turned out to need more material than expected.” The most professional quotes are the most detailed ones, and they’re usually in the middle of the price range.
Why a Site Visit Is Essential Before Any Quote
Never accept a quote from a landscaper who hasn’t visited your property. Every garden is different: access routes for machinery and materials, existing ground conditions, drainage requirements, slopes and levels, underground services (gas, water, electric), and proximity to boundaries all affect the scope and cost of work. A phone or WhatsApp photo cannot capture these details. A contractor who quotes without visiting is either guessing (and will add costs later) or quoting low to win the job (and will cut corners to stay within budget).
At Lion Paving & Landscaping, we always visit before quoting. It’s the only way to give an accurate, honest price that won’t change once work begins. Our site visits are free and carry no obligation. Book yours here.
How Lion Paving & Landscaping Works
We’re sharing these tips openly because we believe transparency builds trust. When you work with us, here’s what you can expect: a free, no-obligation site visit to assess your project; a detailed written quote with specific materials, quantities, and costs; full public liability insurance (certificate available on request); a clear start date and realistic timeline; no payment until the work is complete and you’re happy; and a portfolio of completed projects across Dublin and Kildare you can view in our gallery. For a full guide to what landscaping costs in Dublin, see our 2026 pricing guide.
Ready to discuss your project? Get in touch here or call us directly on +353 85 778 0394.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many quotes should I get for a landscaping project?
We recommend getting 3 written quotes for any significant project. This gives you a fair range to compare, but be wary of simply choosing the cheapest. Compare what’s included in each quote — materials, sub-base depth, waste removal, drainage — not just the bottom-line number.
Q: Should I pay a deposit to a landscaper?
A small deposit (10–20%) for materials is reasonable for larger projects. However, never pay the full amount upfront, and be wary of contractors demanding more than 30% before starting. Reputable contractors have trade accounts with suppliers and don’t need your money to buy materials.
Q: How do I know if a landscaper is qualified?
Ireland has no mandatory licensing for landscapers. Look for membership of professional bodies like the Association of Landscape Contractors of Ireland (ALCI) or the National Guild of Master Craftsmen. Relevant qualifications include horticulture or landscape construction certificates from institutions like the National Botanic Gardens or SOLAS.
Q: When is the best time to hire a landscaper in Dublin?
The best time to book is late winter (January–February) for spring/summer projects. Contractors’ diaries fill up from March onwards. Summer is the easiest season for outdoor work, but also the busiest. Autumn and winter are excellent for hard landscaping (patios, driveways, walls) as ground conditions are often better than people expect.
Q: What if I’m not happy with the finished work?
With a professional contractor, raise concerns immediately before making the final payment. A reputable landscaper will address genuine issues promptly. Having a detailed written quote protects both parties by establishing exactly what was agreed upon. If a dispute arises, your written agreement is your key document.
Call us: +353 85 778 0394
Email: sales@lionpavingandlandscaping.ie
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Lion Paving & Landscaping
259 Birches Rd, Wedgwood, Dublin 16, D16Y5E5
Serving North Dublin, South Dublin, Kildare & Surrounding Areas
