Make a simple record of the lawn

Take photos of the front, rear and side lawns in ordinary daylight. Note shaded patches, worn routes, bare areas and places where water sits after rain. Include gates, steps and narrow passages so a contractor can assess access as well as lawn size.

Write down how you use the space: children playing, pets, entertaining or a quiet garden. List the problem you most want to solve. Regular mowing, repairing a worn patch and changing a planting bed are different jobs and should be quoted clearly.

  • Approximate lawn area and access width.
  • Sunny and shaded areas, bare patches and uneven ground.
  • Water source or existing irrigation.
  • Pets, play areas and preferred service access.
  • Tasks you will do yourself and tasks to include in the quote.

Let weather inform the mowing plan

Toronto's water-efficient landscaping guide recommends mowing dry grass and keeping the cut height around 6–7.5 cm. It also advises reducing mowing when growth slows during dry periods. Discuss how your provider will adapt visits to the condition of the lawn.

Agree on what a normal visit includes: mowing, edge trimming, clearing clippings from paved surfaces and the handling of green waste. Describe beds and other areas that are outside the mowing scope so the boundary is clear.

Measure rainfall before adding water

Toronto's guidance gives approximately 2.5 cm of water per week, including rainfall, as a reference for a healthy lawn. It recommends morning watering and using a rain gauge. Treat this as a starting point for an established lawn, rather than a schedule for every plant or newly seeded area.

If you have irrigation, check which areas it reaches and tell your provider about any visible leaks, runoff or dry spots. Record who will adjust the controller and who will monitor conditions. A mowing agreement should not be assumed to include irrigation maintenance.

Decide how to handle clippings and garden edges

Ask whether the regular service leaves suitable clippings on the lawn or removes them. Toronto encourages using grass clippings and excludes them from municipal yard waste collection. Confirm the disposal arrangement before requesting bagging as part of every visit.

Walk the garden edges with your provider, or mark them in a photo. If you are considering replacing a small section of turf, Toronto's sustainable landscaping resources can help you explore native planting options suited to the site.

Keep repair work visible in the proposal

If a worn or sparse area needs attention, request a separate assessment rather than assuming more mowing will solve it. Ask which observations support the proposed work and what follow-up care you will need to provide.

For overseeding or other repair work, clarify the area covered, preparation, materials, watering responsibilities and follow-up visit. Photograph the starting condition so later conversations refer to the same areas.

Build a maintenance scope you can review

Record the service frequency, included tasks, season dates and communication method in the proposal. Ask how weather delays are handled and how extra work is approved. For more than one property, provide a separate area list and access note for each address.

Review the plan when the property's use or condition changes. A clear record of what is included makes it easier to add a fall cleanup, adjust garden work or request a separate repair without confusion.