How to choose a gardener: checklist

Decide what you need

• Regular lawn mowing, and how often: weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
• Garden maintenance: weeding, pruning, mulching.
• A one-off job: hedge trimming, a clean-up or section clearing.
• A bigger project: a new lawn, garden beds or landscaping.

What to ask

• Is green waste removal included, or extra?
• Is the price per visit, per hour or per job, and does it include GST?
• What happens when it rains on the booked day?
• Do you have public liability insurance?
• Can I see photos of your work or talk to a past client?

Gardener, lawn mower or landscaper?

A lawn mowing service mows, edges and blows clean, usually on a fixed round. A gardener also weeds, prunes and looks after the beds. A landscaper builds: new lawns, paths, retaining walls and planting plans. Many companies do more than one, so ask.

Questions about choosing a gardener

How often should a gardener come?

For mowing, every one or two weeks in spring and summer and less often in winter. For general garden care, every two to four weeks keeps most gardens tidy.

Should I pay a gardener per hour or per job?

Mowing is usually a fixed price per visit. General garden work is often per hour. A fixed price for a set list of jobs makes costs easier to compare.

Checked in October 2026.

Gardeners near you

• Gardeners Auckland
• Gardeners Wellington
• Gardeners Christchurch
• Gardeners Hamilton
• Gardeners Tauranga
• Gardeners Dunedin