Landscapers in Toronto

No general licence, but specific activities are regulated: tree work near hydro lines, pesticide application, and retaining walls above a certain height.

Typical costs

Sod supply and installation, per square foot

$1.50 – $3.50

Interlocking stone patio, per square foot

$25 – $50

Retaining wall, per linear foot

$60 – $150

Tree removal

$500 – $2,500

Full hiring guide

Working in this area

Knob-and-tube and insurance

Many insurers will not write or renew a policy on a home with active knob-and-tube wiring. If you are buying in an older neighbourhood, get an electrical assessment before firm closing rather than after.

Heritage designations

Toronto has numerous Heritage Conservation Districts where exterior changes, including windows and roofing materials, may require separate heritage approval on top of a building permit.

More about hiring in Toronto

What landscaping work costs in Ontario

Landscaping quotes vary more than any other trade on this site, because the scope is rarely fixed. Insist on an itemised quote - materials, labour, disposal, and plant warranty as separate lines - otherwise you cannot meaningfully compare two numbers.

Job	Typical range
Sod supply and installation, per square footIncludes grading and topsoil. Removing old lawn is usually extra.	$1.50 – $3.50
Interlocking stone patio, per square footDriven by base depth and stone selection more than by area.	$25 – $50
Retaining wall, per linear footHeight, drainage detail and whether engineering is required drive the range.	$60 – $150
Tree removalProximity to structures and access for equipment matter more than height.	$500 – $2,500
Spring or fall cleanupFor a typical suburban lot, including disposal.	$250 – $700
Garden bed design and plantingPlant material is often a third of the cost; labour and soil the rest.	$2,000 – $8,000
Full design-build projectDesign fees are sometimes credited against construction if you proceed.	$15,000 – $60,000+

Planning estimates for Ontario, not quotes. Always get written quotes against the same written specification.

Questions to ask before you hire

Is there a design fee, and is it credited against the build if I go ahead?

How deep is the base under any hardscaping, and what material is it?

How will this change where water goes? Where does it drain to now, and after?

Is there a plant warranty, how long does it run, and what voids it?

Is disposal of excavated material and old sod included?

Who is on site day to day, and is any of this subcontracted?

Do any parts of this need a permit or engineered drawings?

Warning signs

A hardscaping quote with no base specification.

No discussion of drainage on a job that changes your grade. Water has to go somewhere, and "the neighbour's yard" is a legal problem.

Tree work quoted by someone without arborist certification or proof of insurance.

Broad chemical lawn treatment offers, given Ontario's cosmetic pesticide restrictions.