What "licensed and insured" actually means
In Ottawa, landscaping isn't a licensed trade the way electrical or gas work is, so "licensed" usually refers to a valid business license with the City of Ottawa plus any trade-specific certifications the crew has picked up (irrigation, pesticide application, arboriculture, or interlock installation certifications, for example). Insurance is the part that matters most for you as a buyer: general liability coverage that protects your property if something goes wrong, and WSIB coverage that protects the workers on your lot. Without both, you're the one exposed if a retaining wall collapses or a worker gets hurt digging a trench in your yard.
What to check before signing anything
Ask for a certificate of insurance and confirm the coverage amount and expiry date directly with the insurer, not just the contractor. Ask whether WSIB clearance is current, since a lapsed account can leave you liable for a workplace injury on your own property. Check that any subcontractors (grading, lighting, drainage) carry their own coverage too, since a general contractor's policy doesn't automatically extend to every sub on the job.
This category page lists 33 businesses that meet this baseline. To see how they stack up against each other on the details that separate a solid crew from a risky one, use our ranked guide to Ottawa's best landscapers, and read our methodology for how we score and weight each factor.