Free Landscaping Contract Template (2026)

Updated April 2026 · By Mike Torres, 14-year landscape contractor

I operated without a written contract for my first five years. Five years. Every single problem I had during that time — scope creep, non-payment, "that's not what I asked for" arguments — could have been avoided with a one-page contract. The job that finally forced me to get serious was a $7,200 backyard renovation where the homeowner kept adding things: "Can you also fix that drainage issue? And move those three bushes? And edge along the driveway?" By the end, I'd done about $9,500 worth of work and had no legal basis to bill for the extras because nothing was in writing.

A landscaping contract isn't just legal protection — it's a communication tool. When everything is spelled out on paper, both sides know exactly what's happening, when, and for how much. Disputes drop to near zero.

Section 1: Scope of Work

This is the most important section of your entire contract. Vague scope = guaranteed arguments. Here's what I include:

• Detailed description of every task. Not "landscape renovation" but "Remove existing boxwood hedge along front walkway (approx. 35 linear ft). Install 12 Green Gem boxwoods at 30" spacing. Mulch all beds at 3" depth with double-shredded hardwood." The more specific, the fewer arguments.
• Materials and quantities. List the exact materials you'll use: plant varieties, mulch type, paver brand and color, sod type. If the homeowner wants to upgrade materials later, that's a change order.
• What's NOT included. This is just as important. "This contract does not include irrigation work, tree removal, grading beyond the specified area, or hauling of existing materials unless noted above." I've saved myself thousands of dollars with this section.
• Property boundaries. Specify the exact area you're working in. "Front yard from sidewalk to house, extending 15 ft on each side of the front walkway." I had a neighbor once claim I damaged their property line — my contract showed exactly where I was authorized to work.

Section 2: Payment Schedule

Your payment terms should match the job size. Here's what I use in my contracts, and it mirrors what I put on my invoices:

• Total contract price: Spelled out in numbers and words. "$4,800 (four thousand eight hundred dollars)." This prevents any "I thought you said $3,800" conversations.
• Deposit amount and due date: "50% deposit ($2,400) due upon signing this contract. Work will not begin until deposit is received." Non-negotiable.
• Progress payment (for larger jobs): "30% ($1,440) due upon completion of grading and base preparation." Tie payments to milestones, not dates.
• Final payment: "Remaining balance ($960) due upon completion and client walkthrough." Always do a walkthrough before asking for final payment — it eliminates 90% of post-job complaints.
• Late payment terms: "Balances unpaid after 15 days will incur a 1.5% monthly late fee." Check your state's usury laws — some cap late fees.

Section 3: Change Orders

This section alone has saved me more money than any other. A change order is a written amendment to the original scope. My contract says:

"Any work not described in the Scope of Work above requires a written Change Order signed by both parties before work begins. Change Orders will include a description of additional work, adjusted pricing, and any impact on the project timeline. Verbal requests for additional work are not binding."

The key phrase is "verbal requests are not binding." When Mrs. Johnson says "while you're here, can you trim those crepe myrtles?" — you say "absolutely, let me write up a quick change order for that." It keeps the relationship professional and ensures you get paid for every hour.

Section 4: Liability and Insurance

Your contract should address who's responsible for what:

• Your insurance coverage. "Contractor maintains general liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $1,000,000 per occurrence." Include your policy number. Many homeowners (and all commercial clients) will verify this.
• Workers' comp. If you have employees, list your workers' comp policy. If you're solo, note that. Some states require it even for sole proprietors.
• Property damage. "Contractor will repair or replace any property damaged during the course of work at no additional cost to the client." This shows you stand behind your work.
• Existing conditions. "Contractor is not responsible for pre-existing conditions including but not limited to: underground utilities not marked by 811, existing drainage issues, or diseased plant material." Call 811 before you dig — and document that you did.
• Warranty. I offer a 90-day workmanship warranty and pass through any manufacturer plant warranties (most nurseries offer 1-year replacement). Be specific about what voids the warranty — improper watering is the #1 plant killer after installation.

Section 5: Cancellation Policy

People cancel. It happens. Your contract needs to address it clearly:

• Before materials are ordered: Full deposit refund minus a $150 administrative fee. This covers your time for the site visit, measurements, and estimate preparation.
• After materials are ordered: Deposit is non-refundable to the extent that materials have been purchased. If you ordered $1,800 in pavers, the client doesn't get that $1,800 back.
• After work begins: Client pays for all work completed to date plus materials on site. No one works for free.
• Your right to cancel: "Contractor may terminate this agreement if payment milestones are not met within 7 days of their due date, or if the work site becomes unsafe." I've walked off two jobs — once for non-payment, once because the homeowner's dog kept attacking my crew.

Section 6: Property Access and Site Conditions

This one gets overlooked but matters a lot in practice:

• Gate and access codes. If you need gate access, get it in writing. "Client will provide gate code/key for rear yard access. Contractor is authorized to access the property between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday."
• Pets. "Client is responsible for securing all pets during work hours." I've been bitten once and chased dozens of times. Put it in the contract.
• Parking and equipment staging. Heavy equipment needs somewhere to go. "Contractor may temporarily stage equipment and materials on the client's driveway and/or front yard during the project duration."
• Utilities. "Client will provide access to water and electricity as needed for the project at no charge to the Contractor."

Download the Free Contract Template

Here's the contract template I've refined over the past decade. It's a Word document you can customize with your company information. Have a local attorney review it for your state's specific requirements — this is a starting point, not legal advice.

Contracts, estimates, and invoices are the three pillars of running a professional landscaping business. If you're still managing all three with separate spreadsheets and Word docs, you're spending hours on admin that could be automated. Check out our estimate template guide and our pricing guide for the complete picture.