When and How Much Should You Tip Your Landscaper?

You tip when you go to a restaurant, you tip your hairdresser, but do you tip landscapers? There are various landscaping services—from recurring lawn maintenance to one-off projects like designing a paver patio. For most homeowners, landscaping costs anywhere from $1,300 to $6,100 per project. It’s a significant chunk of change, but should you budget extra for a tip? Here are some common tipping guidelines.

Factors to Determine When Tipping a Landscaper Is Appropriate

Are you always supposed to tip landscapers? The short answer is no. Tipping is at your discretion. Most people don’t regularly tip their landscapers, but there are some instances where you may want to show appreciation. Here are some factors to consider:

• Quality of work: If your landscaper’s work is high quality, you may want to show your appreciation with a tip.

• Scope of work: Did your landscaper go above and beyond the standard scope of work? Sometimes, landscapers will throw in small extra jobs, like trimming a hedge during a lawn service.

• Difficulty of task: You may want to tip for tasks that are especially labor-intensive (think: clearing land filled with heavy boulders or cleaning up a yard in severe disrepair). 

• Level of expertise: You may want to tip for tasks that require special knowledge and expertise, like designing an entire landscape around plants native to your specific hardiness zone or solving drainage issues around your foundation.

• Efficiency: If your landscaper was prompt and efficient, you may want to tip.

• Recurring contracts: If you plan to hire a landscaper for regular work, you may want to consider tipping after a large job or offering an annual bonus. This can strengthen your working relationship.

One-Time Service vs. Seasonal Work 

While it’s not expected, you may consider tipping a landscaper for a one-time project if they go above and beyond. This is more common for significant redesigns and renovations than smaller jobs like planting flowers in mulch or installing simple landscape curbing. 

Seasonal jobs are a little different. Most homeowners don’t tip directly after seasonal jobs, but some offer annual or seasonal bonuses. 

Routine Lawn Maintenance

You don’t need to tip for weekly or bi-weekly lawn services, though homeowners are more likely to offer some kind of tip to contractors they see regularly. If you want to show gratitude, provide an annual bonus.

Emergency Landscaping Projects

If your landscaper pulls through in an emergency, like taking a job on short notice, rearranging their schedule, or working during off-hours, consider a tip. 

Though emergency landscaping is most likely needed after a storm, you could need urgent work at any time. This type of work includes tree removal, storm cleanup, erosion prevention, and emergency irrigation services (or landscaping to prevent flooding).

How Much Do You Tip Landscapers?

If you choose to tip your landscaper, most people tip $10 to $100 per crew member, depending on the job. Here are some garden-variety tipping guidelines:

• Small services: $10–$20 

• Large services: $50–$100 

• Seasonal bonuses: $20–$50 

• Annual bonus: 10% to 20% of the cost of yearly services

Tipping culture varies from region to region. You may find that tips are customarily higher in areas with a higher cost of living, and there may be nuances to your specific neighborhood. The best way to understand how much to tip landscapers is to ask your neighbors.

Is Tipping a Landscaper Mandatory? 

Again, tipping your local landscaper is not mandatory—and it’s uncommon after one-time jobs or routine lawn services. Most landscapers don’t expect tips at all, but the standard tip is an annual or seasonal bonus. 

At the end of the day, there’s no hard and fast rule. If you’re happy with the quality of work, your landscaper went above and beyond, or you want to show appreciation for a loyal team, go ahead and tip away. 

Alternatives to Tipping Your Landscaper

If tipping isn’t in your budget, you can show appreciation for your landscaping team in other ways. Here are some alternatives to tipping:

• Offer cold water or sports drinks on hot days

• Offer coffee or tea on cold days

• Offer a light snack

• Write positive online reviews

• Recommend their services to friends and family

• Offer a reference