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Landscaping is so much more than an aesthetic pleasure. It’s the first thing people see when they come to your home, and it can have a big impact – positive and negative – on the value of your home. Did you know that investing in your home’s landscaping has the highest return of any home improvement project? It’s true!

If you’re planning any landscaping in 2018, don’t trust the job to just anybody. Here’s why it’s so important to hire a licensed landscaper for your project here in Reno, Sparks and beyond.

Is a Landscaping License Required in Nevada?

In almost every state, landscaping contractors need to be licensed. The same is true here in Nevada. A local landscaping company  must have a C-10 license in order to offer services such as lawn cutting, irrigation, paver installation, tree trimming, etc. This license ensures that a landscaper has shown experience in the industry and understands things like the local climate, soil and foliage, and environmental regulations and standards.

A license also means that a landscaper is both bonded and insured, which protects your family and home in the event of property damage or if a worker is injured while working on your property.

But that’s not all.

Landscaping Licenses in Northern Nevada

There are a variety of licenses available for different areas of landscaping work. Here in northern Nevada – or anywhere, for that matter – it’s illegal to hire a landscaper for work that he’s not licensed to perform. If your landscaper isn’t licensed to install underground pipes or drainage, for example, that work must be contracted out to someone who is.

Let’s say you’re planning to install a beautiful patio cover in your garden this year. In Reno and Sparks, landscapers need a C-3 license to build wooden structures (including decks and wooden patio covers), and a C-14 license to build metal structures (such as aluminum patio covers). Without those licenses, a landscaper isn’t allowed to perform this work.

What Happens if You Hire an Unlicensed Landscaper?

Hiring someone who seems experienced but lacks the right license can be risky. It means you have no recourse should the work be done incorrectly. That’s especially problematic when it comes to things like proper drainage or the installation of pavers, rock features or large-scale structures like patio covers.

When you’re looking for a landscaper, inquire about current licenses. Your landscaping contractor should have the right licenses for the scope of work you want done, and that’s something you should check from the start.