Divide the property into working areas

Make a short list of the lawn, garden beds, walkways, patio, driveway edges and shared access routes. Mark which areas need leaf removal and which should be left alone. This gives a contractor a clearer starting point than a general request to clean the yard.

Photograph the current condition before booking. Include rear yards and any narrow access route. Let the contractor know whether waste can be staged at the curb, whether gates are locked and whether vehicles will need to move.

Choose where leaves should stay

A tidy property does not require removing every leaf from every bed. Toronto encourages residents to consider retaining fallen leaves and branches for pollinators and soil health. Decide which garden areas can retain material before requesting blanket removal.

Separate that decision from the routes people need to use. Mark entrances, steps and paved paths as their own cleanup areas. If you want a more natural garden edge, describe that preference clearly so the finished result matches your expectations.

Match the disposal plan to your municipality

Check the collection calendar for the property's address before planning a curbside cleanup. A contractor's visit and a municipal collection date are separate bookings. If collection has ended for the season, ask how the material will be removed.

Toronto's yard waste page lists leaves and specified plant trimmings as accepted materials, while grass clippings, sod and soil are excluded. Peel's set-out guidance calls for Kraft paper yard waste bags or suitable labelled containers; plastic bags are not accepted. Check the linked pages for current size, weight and bundling requirements.

Separate garden work from leaf collection

Point out plants you want retained and identify any planned pruning or removal. If you do not know a plant's name, take a photo instead of guessing. Ask for garden work to be itemized so it is clear what the crew will cut back and what it will leave.

Keep household rubbish, construction debris and heavy soil separate from ordinary yard material. Describe each type of waste in the request, especially after a renovation or tenancy change. The disposal method can change the labour, equipment and price.

  • Areas to clear and garden areas to retain.
  • Leaf collection only, or additional bed and shrub work.
  • Bagging and curbside staging, or removal from the property.
  • Separate quantities of soil, sod, branches or non-yard debris.
  • Any follow-up visit needed after later leaves fall.

Finish with a winter access check

Before the final cleanup, identify the paths you will use in winter and remove movable objects from those routes. Record the location of edging and other low obstacles while they are visible. These photos can also help define a later snow removal request.

For the quote, say whether you want a single visit or a second pass after the remaining leaves fall. Ask what happens if weather or access prevents the planned work, and confirm who is responsible for moving bags to the collection point.