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Nevada, like all states, has its own laws and regulations relating to work completed by a licensed contractor. As a landscape construction company, Harris Landscape Construction must follow these rules. And really, it benefits our customers, since these laws are in place to protect consumers. Here’s what homeowners should understand about landscape contracting and bid limits in Nevada.

Homeowner Overview of Nevada Contractors

The Nevada State Contractors Board (NSCB) is very direct about the scope of work that requires a licensed contractor:

“If you are considering a home construction, repair, remodel, addition, demolition, electrical, plumbing, air conditioning, landscaping or installing a new pool, you will need a contractor to do the work. In the State of Nevada, that contractor should have a proper contractor’s license for his specific trade.

Licensed contractors have met experience and examination requirements and are required to maintain bonds and workers compensation insurance and have established their financial responsibility; therefore, it is wise to insist that your contractor be licensed. Your home is one of your biggest investments – be aware of your rights and responsibilities when hiring any person to work on it. An informed and prepared consumer is key to a successful project.”

Makes sense, right? The NSCB licenses and regulates contractors across Nevada. That means if you end up having problems during or after a project with a contractor, licensed or otherwise, you have recourse through the NSCB. There are a few reasons you might need to contact the NSCB:

• • You’re researching contractors for a project and you want to confirm that a particular contractor’s license is in good standing
  • You’re confirming that a contractor’s bid limit is within the price range you expect to spend
  • You’re looking for confirmation that your rights are protected before signing a contract
  • You need to file a complaint against a licensed or unlicensed contractor

You can learn more about Nevada’s approach to licensed contractors here.

Understanding Bid Limits

When a contractor applies and is approved for a specific license pertaining to their scope of work, they receive what’s known as a monetary limit. This bid limit is based on a contractor’s ability to maintain and complete contracts up to a certain amount, as well as a company’s financial stability. At Harris Landscape Construction, our bid limit is $1.6 million, which means we’ve established our ability to successfully manage and execute large-scale residential and commercial landscaping projects.

In Washoe County, there are currently 131 C-10 landscape contractors, and only 12 landscape construction companies have a bid limit over $1.5 million. 

It’s important for Nevada homeowners to know their contractor’s bid limit because any contracts that are written over that established amount are considered invalid. If you sign a contract with a landscape construction company that exceeds the contractor bid limit and something goes wrong — you’re dealing with shoddy, unprofessional, or downright dangerous work, or any other issues — you aren’t protected under Nevada law and you may find it very hard to recoup your loss.

If you’re considering landscaping in 2022, you’ll find it reassuring to know that HLC has one of the most generous bid limits in the area. Contact us today for an estimate.