Gardening in Laval: Hiring and Planning Guide

Define the work before requesting quotes

Walk through each work area and identify plants to retain, weeds to remove and shrubs to trim. For an overgrown bed, ask the gardener to get your approval before removing unidentified plants. Send photos and approximate dimensions, and describe narrow gates, steps or other access constraints.

For recurring care, name the beds and tasks covered at each visit. Specify whether the agreement includes mowing, edging, hedge trimming and clearing paths. Record how the gardener should handle unfinished work and seek approval for extras.

For planting, approve plant names, quantities, sizes and locations before purchase. Ask for separate amounts for soil preparation, compost, mulch, delivery and installation. Assign watering responsibility and request written aftercare instructions.

Set a budget with property-specific quotes

Request property-specific quotes to set your gardening budget. Give each provider the same task list and ask them to separate labour, materials, delivery, debris removal and applicable taxes. For hourly work, clarify whether the rate covers one worker or a crew, any minimum charge and the spending limit before they must contact you.

For a fixed price, describe the finished result and list exclusions. Ask for proof of liability insurance and examples of comparable garden work. Put visit frequency, payment terms, weather rescheduling and cancellation terms in a maintenance agreement.

Keep municipal authorization fees separate from the gardener's charges. Laval lists its temporary watering permit at CAD 32.75. Its pesticide page gives a starting cost of CAD 25 in the headline and lists CAD 25 in the fee section; confirm the applicable amount when applying. [1] [2]

Decide how to handle garden debris

Choose whether the gardener will prepare material for household collection or haul it away. Include cutting, bundling and bagging in the quote if you want collection preparation. For hauling, ask where the provider will take the material and whether disposal charges form part of the price.

Laval accepts small branches through compost collection when they measure less than 1.2 metres long and less than 4 centimetres in diameter. Bundles must weigh no more than 25 kilograms and sit beside the brown bin. [3]

The city directs invasive plants to garbage collection and large branches, logs, trunks and stumps to the ecocentre or bulky-item collection. Ask the gardener to separate these materials and confirm the disposal arrangement before work starts. [3]

Agree on the maintenance your garden needs

Laval limits lawn, weeds and brush to 20 centimetres on developed property and 30 centimetres on vacant land. The city exempts maintained flower beds, flowers, ornamental and native plants, perennials, trees and shrubs from those height limits. Identify intended planting areas with the gardener before approving a general cutback. [4]

The city recommends reducing lawn area with native planting or a vegetable garden and suggests low-growing ground covers such as clover and thyme. Ask for a planting proposal that accounts for sunlight, access and the maintenance you want to undertake. [4]

Discuss equipment and arrival times. Laval advises residents to avoid mowing and noisy landscape maintenance in the evening or early on weekends, and to limit noisy equipment such as leaf blowers. Ask about hand tools or electric equipment if noise affects your booking. [4]

Plan visits around weather and aftercare

Nearby Montréal Trudeau Airport recorded average monthly rainfall of 85.6 millimetres in May, 91.2 in July and 101.6 in October in its 1991–2020 normals. These regional averages describe past conditions, not rainfall at your property or a forecast for your booking. [5]

Agree how the gardener will reschedule wet-weather work and who will check new planting between visits. Ask for watering instructions tied to the plants and soil, and confirm the watering rules that apply to your address before installation.

Regional rainfall reference for planning garden work

Choose the scope for your booking

Your hiring checklist

1. Send photos, approximate dimensions and access details.
2. Identify plants to retain and removals requiring approval.
3. Confirm whether hourly pricing covers one worker or a crew.
4. Separate labour, materials, delivery and debris removal.
5. Agree on equipment, arrival times and weather rescheduling.
6. Assign watering and permit application responsibilities.
7. Record the spending limit and approval process for extras.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does any gardening visit qualify for a watering permit?

Laval lists new lawn installation or seeding, landscaping work and treatment for harmful insects as eligible reasons. Confirm whether your planned work qualifies before applying. The authorization lasts 15 consecutive days. [2]

Can a gardener spray weeds during maintenance?

Do not assume a maintenance agreement authorizes spraying. Laval prohibits outdoor cosmetic pesticide use. Its temporary infestation permit process requires prior ecological alternatives and low-impact pesticides, supporting documents and a municipally registered company. [1]

Should the gardener remove all fallen leaves?

Agree on the approach in your quote. Laval describes shredding fallen leaves with a mower and using brown-bin collection. For leaves from diseased trees, the city advises against shredding and accepts them in the brown bin or at a leaf drop-off location. [3]

Can I retain tall native plants?

Laval exempts maintained native plants and other listed garden planting from its lawn, weed and brush height limits. Identify the planted areas with your gardener and agree on their care before approving trimming or removal. [4]