How To Write a Lawn or Landscaping Contract (+Free Template & Example)

A landscaping contract is more than just a piece of paper—it’s a clear agreement that protects both you and your customers while setting expectations for every project. Whether you’re offering lawn care, garden design, or full-scale landscape construction, having a solid contract makes sure everyone is on the same page.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create a solid lawn care or landscaping contract. We’ll also provide a free template you can customize for your business.

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Common types of lawn and landscaping contracts

Landscaping work covers everything from routine lawn maintenance and seasonal cleanups to large installations and commercial property care. Different jobs call for different contracts. Here are the most common agreements and when to use them.

Lawn care maintenance contract

Maintenance contracts include weekly or biweekly services like mowing, fertilization, aeration, weed control, and overseeding. Use these contracts if you’re running a lawn care business or have customers who need regular, ongoing lawn maintenance rather than full landscaping projects.

Pro tip: Use Housecall Pro’s recurring service plans to easily set up ongoing lawn maintenance schedules, automate billing, and keep track of recurring jobs. More recurring revenue, less hassle.

Landscaping service agreement

A landscaping service agreement covers a broader range of outdoor work, from planting and garden design to hardscape installations and ongoing property maintenance. Unlike a lawn care contract, a landscaping agreement addresses bigger projects, larger budgets, and longer timelines. Use these contracts for clients who want comprehensive services that go beyond regular lawn upkeep.

Landscaping design contract

A landscaping design contract is specific to planning and creating outdoor spaces. It covers services like site analysis, concept design, plant selection, hardscape layout, and 3D renderings. Unlike general landscaping service agreements, a design contract focuses on the planning phase rather than ongoing maintenance or installations. Use this contract when a client wants a detailed plan for a new garden, patio, or full property makeover before any physical work begins.

Make sure to outline:

• Phases of work
• Materials and plant lists
• Timelines and milestones
• Payment schedule and deposits

One-time or seasonal service agreement

This contract covers single jobs or seasonal services, such as spring/fall cleanups, mulching, pruning, or special treatments. Unlike ongoing maintenance contracts, it’s project-specific with a defined start and end date. Use this agreement when a client only needs occasional help rather than continuous lawn or landscaping care.

Commercial landscaping contract

A commercial landscaping contract is tailored for businesses, apartment complexes, HOA properties, or other large-scale properties. It often includes recurring maintenance, seasonal services, and sometimes design or renovation work. Use this contract for clients who need long-term property care on a larger scale than residential work.

Financing or payment plan agreements

These agreements outline payment terms for larger landscaping projects, like multi-phase installations or major renovations. They clearly outline:

• Deposit amounts
• Installation schedule
• Due dates and late‑payment terms

Use these contracts to protect your cash flow when clients need flexibility to pay over time.

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What to include in a lawn or landscaping contract

A good contract lays out the services you’ll provide, the timeline for completing them, the payment terms, and each party’s responsibilities. Every section should make expectations clear, prevent misunderstandings, and help you deliver work on-schedule without surprises. 

Every lawn or landscaping contract should include:

• Business and client details: Clearly list names, addresses, and contact information for both parties.
• Scope of work: Describe the specific services you’ll provide and any project limits. Spell out what’s included and what isn’t so you can avoid “while you’re here…” add‑on requests.​
• Materials and equipment: List plants, hardscape materials, soil, mulch, irrigation parts, and equipment needed. Note if there’s flexibility for substitutions if something isn’t available.​
• Frequency or duration: Note how often you’ll visit (for maintenance) or the expected timeline and phases (for projects).​
• Pricing and payment terms: Outline costs, payment schedule, and accepted payment methods.​
• Warranty and liability: Explain any service guarantees, outline each party’s responsibilities, and specify what types of damages or accidents are covered (and what isn’t).
• Termination clauses: Outline how either party can end the agreement and what happens if a project is canceled mid‑way.​
• Signatures and dates: Get signatures from both parties and the start date for the agreement, either digitally or on paper.

Have an attorney review your contract template at least once so you know it aligns with all state and local requirements before you repurpose it.

Pro tip: Use Housecall Pro’s contract features to build digital contracts, collect e-signatures, and automate renewals, all from one place.

How to create a lawn or landscaping contract (step by step)

You don’t need pages of legal jargon to write a solid landscaping contract. Clear structure, plain language, and the right details are usually enough to protect your time and give customers confidence in your work. Follow these steps to create a landscaping contract from scratch.

Step 1: Gather client and business information

Start with the basics: your business name and contact info, the exact service address, and the client’s name and contact details. This is especially important when you work with property managers or HOAs that oversee multiple locations. Listing “rental property” instead of each specific address will make things confusing. When you’re specific, your crew shows up at the right driveway every time. 

Step 2: Define the scope of work

Lay out the tasks in clear, simple language. For a lawn care client, that might be mowing and edging the front and back yard every Thursday with fertilizer applied every six weeks. For a landscaping project, it could include removing old beds, installing 40 feet of paver edging, planting shrubs, and adjusting irrigation lines.

The more specific you are, the easier it is for customers to understand what’s included and what isn’t.

Step 3: List materials and equipment covered

Describe the materials you’ll use: plants, mulch, stone, pavers, soil, irrigation parts, whatever it is for the specific job. Note how you’ll handle substitutions if something’s not available, especially for landscaping design projects, so clients aren’t surprised by changes. If you typically use three-quarter-inch gravel but may switch based on availability, say so upfront. 

Step 4: Set frequency and duration

Maintenance contracts should define how often you’ll visit. For example, you might set your contract up for weekly service from April to October. For project-based contracts, break the job into simple milestones like “Week 1: Demo; Week 2: Pavers; Week 3: Planting and irrigation.”

When your customers can visualize the schedule, you field fewer check-in calls and keep your calendar predictable. 

Step 5: Establish prices and payment terms

Break pricing into clear parts:

• A monthly maintenance plan might be listed as $220 per month for weekly mowing, edging, and cleanup. 
• A project contract might require a 40% deposit to schedule, another 40% at the halfway point, and the remaining 20% at completion. 

Spell out exactly how deposits work, when payments are due, and how clients can pay to avoid awkward money conversations later.

→ For more pricing tips, check out our guide to pricing lawn care jobs.

Step 6: Detail warranty and liability information

Set expectations around plant survival, workmanship, and site conditions. For example, you might cover new plants for 30 days if irrigation and care instructions are followed, but exclude damage caused by pests, pets, lack of watering, or extreme weather. This keeps your services fair without taking on unlimited risk for issues outside your control. 

Step 7: Add termination clauses

Explain how either party can end the agreement and what happens if work stops mid-project. A simple approach is something like: “Either party may cancel with 14 days’ written notice. Work completed to date will be billed at the agreed rate.” This protects your schedule and your cash flow if a customer suddenly pauses service. 

Step 8: Include signatures and dates

A signed and dated agreement is your greenlight to begin. Leave a space at the bottom of your contract with lines for each party to sign and date the agreement. Digital signatures are acceptable in most cases and can speed up approvals when clients can’t meet in person. 

Step 9: Review and customize 

Before sending the contract, check for details that customers might question, like material names, square footage, dates, and totals. A quick review avoids errors or confusion later.

Pro tip: Build reusable contract templates in Housecall Pro for quick and easy customization when you need them. Once you have the details, plug in scope, pricing, and materials, then send your polished agreement in minutes. 

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Contract template for lawn and landscaping jobs

This Lawn and Landscaping Services Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into on [Date], by and between [Business Name], located at [Business Address] (“Contractor”), and [Client Name], located at [Client Address] (“Client”).

Scope of work

Contractor agrees to provide lawn and landscaping services as described below: [Describe services in detail, including frequency, areas serviced, and exclusions.] Any additional work outside this scope must be approved in writing by both parties.

Materials and equipment

Unless otherwise stated, Contractor will provide all tools, equipment, and materials necessary to complete the agreed-upon services.

Timeline and schedule

Services will begin on [Start Date] and will continue [weekly/biweekly/project-based] until [End Date or termination], weather permitting.

Pricing and payment terms

Client agrees to pay [Total Cost or Rate], billed [per visit/month/project]. Payment is due within [number] days of invoice. Late payments may be subject to fees as outlined by Contractor.

Warranty and liability

Contractor warrants that all services will be performed in a professional manner. Contractor is not responsible for damage caused by pre-existing conditions, underground utilities, weather events, or factors beyond reasonable control.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement with [number] days’ written notice. Client is responsible for payment for all services completed prior to termination.

By signing below, both parties agree to the terms of this Agreement.

Contractor signature: ________________________ Date: __________
Client signature: ____________________________ Date: __________

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Contract sample for lawn and landscaping jobs

This agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into on March 1, 2026, by and between GreenPro Landscaping LLC, located at 123 Main Street, Springfield, IL, (“Contractor”) and Jane Doe, located at 456 Oak Avenue, Springfield, IL, (“Client”).

Scope of work

Contractor agrees to provide weekly lawn mowing, edging, fertilization, weed control, and seasonal spring and fall cleanups for the Client’s property located at 456 Oak Avenue. Services do not include tree removal, irrigation repair, or hardscape installation unless separately approved in writing.

Materials and equipment

Contractor will supply all equipment, fertilizers, and materials required to perform the services outlined in this Agreement.

Timeline and schedule

Services will begin on March 1, 2026, and continue weekly every Tuesday through Nov. 30, 2026, weather permitting.

Pricing and payment terms

Client agrees to pay a total of $1,800 for the season, billed monthly at $180. Payment is due within 15 days of invoice. Late payments may incur a late fee of $25.

Warranty and liability

Contractor guarantees all services will be performed professionally and in accordance with industry standards. Contractor is not liable for damage caused by preexisting property conditions, underground utilities, or severe weather events.

Termination

Either party may terminate this Agreement with 14 days’ written notice. Final charges will be prorated based on services completed.

Signatures

GreenPro Landscaping LLC: ________________________ Date: __________
Jane Doe: ________________________________ Date: __________

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How Housecall Pro’s landscaping software can help

Housecall Pro keeps your landscaping and lawn care work organized by putting contracts, scheduling, and payments in one app you can access from anywhere.

With our lawn and lanscaping software, you can:

• Create and store digital contracts: Build templates once and attach them to estimates so every project starts with clear, consistent terms.
• Collect e-signatures: Get approvals on-site or remotely to speed up start dates and reduce back‑and‑forth.
• Automate recurring maintenance: Use Service Plans to schedule weekly or seasonal visits automatically and keep recurring revenue steady.
• Link contracts to invoices and payments: Tie each job to its contract so billing and deposits match the agreed scope.
• Track renewals and expirations: Get notified when annual or seasonal agreements are nearing the end so you can renew customers before the next season.
• Keep pricing consistent with Price Book: Set standardized rates for services and materials so estimates and contracts stay accurate and fast to build.

Ready to streamline your landscaping contracts and keep every job organized from the first estimate to the final payment?

Try Housecall Pro free for 14 days and see how easy it is to manage your workflow from anywhere.

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