What "licensed and insured" means for landscaping work
In Ontario, landscaping isn't a licensed trade the way electrical or plumbing work is, so "licensed" usually refers to business licensing with the Town of Oakville, plus any trade-specific certifications for things like pesticide application, irrigation backflow testing, or tree work. Insurance is the part that matters most day to day: a legitimate landscaping company should carry commercial general liability coverage (typically $2 million or more) and, if they have employees, WSIB coverage. That protects you if a crew member is hurt on your property or if equipment damages a fence, window, or your neighbor's car during a job.
We've identified 10 landscaping businesses in Oakville that carry proper insurance and business registration. That's the baseline, not the finish line, so we still score and rank them on quality, consistency, and how they handle the work itself.
What to check before you sign a contract
- Ask for a current certificate of insurance naming you or your project, not just a claim of coverage.
- Confirm WSIB clearance if the crew has employees, since homeowners can be liable for uninsured workers hurt on site.
- Get quotes in writing with scope, materials, and a payment schedule tied to milestones, not full payment upfront.
- Check for a physical business address and how long they've operated under that name.
How our scoring works
We weigh verified insurance and licensing status alongside review patterns, responsiveness, and job consistency over time. For a full side-by-side comparison with scores, see the ranked guide to Oakville landscapers. Our scoring criteria and how we weight each factor are explained on the methodology page.
