Working with an unlicensed contractor may seem like a great way to save money. But there are risks involved, and it’s important to be clear about them before you decide to move forward on a project. Here’s what happens when you hire an unlicensed contractor.
Why Do Landscapers Need a License in Nevada?
Landscaping contractors need to be licensed in every state, including here in Nevada. Locally, landscaping companies need a C-10 license for services like lawn cutting, irrigation, paver installation, tree trimming, and the like. This license serves as a confirmation that a landscaper has the appropriate training in the industry and is able to factor for the local climate, soil and foliage, along with important environmental regulations and standards.
There are multiple licenses for different areas of landscaping work. If you want to add a patio cover or pergola to your outdoor space in Reno or Sparks in 2024, your landscaper needs a C-3 license to build wooden structures such as decks and wooden patio covers, and a C-14 license to build metal structures like aluminum patio covers. Without those licenses, a landscaper isn’t legally allowed to perform this work. To put it plainly, it’s illegal to hire a landscaper for work that he or she isn’t licensed to perform.
It’s also risky. Hiring someone who seems to have the right experience but lacks the license to prove it means you, as the homeowner, are taking full responsibility if anything goes wrong. For big projects, with lots of room for error, that means the risks increase. Are you willing to pay for what could be poorly executed landscaping work, and potentially pay more for a professional to fix the job? Doing it right the first time with a licensed contractor eliminates this risk.
There’s another benefit to a licensed landscaper. It means the company is bonded and insured, which means your family and home are protected the event of property damage or if a worker is injured while working on your property.
The Bottom Line
Remember that your home’s landscaping has the potential for the biggest return on investment of many home improvement projects, which means it’s worth doing properly. So when you’re looking for a landscaper, always ask about current licenses. Your landscaping contractor should have the right licenses for the scope of work you want done and the right relationships to contract out any work they can’t legally perform. In Reno and Sparks, Harris Landscape Construction has both. Contact us today and let’s talk about 2024 landscaping projects.
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