Licensing and credential red flags
Legitimate contractors are transparent about their credentials. Any hesitation is a warning sign.
- Cannot or will not provide a licence number
- Claims they don't need a licence for regulated work
- Has no WSIB coverage or refuses to show proof
- No verifiable business address or business number
- Not listed on ProScore or any review platform
Financial red flags
How a contractor handles money tells you a lot about how they'll handle your project.
- Demands full payment upfront (standard is 10–30% deposit)
- Cash-only — no invoices, no receipts
- Quote is dramatically lower than all competitors
- Refuses to provide a written contract or scope of work
- "This price is only good today" pressure tactics
Communication red flags
Poor communication before the project starts only gets worse during the work.
- Won't provide references from recent jobs
- Vague about timeline, materials, or process
- Arrives without identification or company vehicle
- Avoids putting anything in writing
- Unreachable by phone — only texts or messages
2,271 verified landscaping in Ontario
Every provider is scored from 0–100 using 10+ data sources and 20+ trust signals.
Browse LandscapingFrequently Asked Questions
How do I check if a landscaping contractor is legitimate?
Verify their Skilled Trades Ontario certification, check WSIB coverage, ask for proof of $2M liability insurance, and look up their ProScore on proscore.ca. A legitimate contractor will have no problem providing all of this.
What should I do if I've already paid a scam contractor?
File a complaint with the Ontario Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. If fraud is involved, file a police report. Contact your bank or credit card company about a chargeback. Document all communications and keep copies of any receipts or contracts.