Terms & Conditions

1. Estimates and quotes

All pricing is provided as a free written estimate or written quote. An estimate is valid for 30 days from the date issued and is based on the scope, materials and site conditions observed at the time of the walkthrough.

Work begins only after you approve the written estimate. Any change to scope, material selection or quantity is handled as a written change order.

2. Deposits

A deposit is required to schedule work and to place material orders. Deposits are applied to the total contract price.

If you change your order after materials have been ordered, the deposit is non-refundable.

3. Landscaping materials — no refunds

Any landscaping materials you place an order for are non-refundable. This includes, without limitation, sod, plant material, soil, mulch, rock, aggregate and edging.

4. Hardscape materials — no refunds

Once hardscape materials are ordered there are no refunds. This includes pavers, travertine, wall block, caps, coping, stone, sand and related hardscape supplies.

Special-order, custom-cut and non-stock material is likewise non-refundable and non-returnable.

5. Plant guarantee

Plants are guaranteed for one (1) month from the date of installation, provided they are watered and maintained according to the care instructions we supply.

The guarantee does not cover loss caused by insufficient or excessive watering, irrigation failure, storms, freeze, flooding, pests, animals, chemical damage, vandalism or work performed by others.

6. Scheduling and site conditions

Schedules are estimates and may shift with weather, permitting, material availability and unforeseen underground conditions such as roots, utilities, buried debris or existing drainage issues.

You are responsible for providing clear access to the work area and for identifying private utilities, irrigation lines, invisible fencing and low-voltage wiring that are not marked by the public locate service.

7. Payment

Payment is due per the schedule stated on your approved estimate. Final payment is due upon substantial completion and walkthrough.

Financing, when used, is provided by third-party lenders and is subject to their approval and terms.

8. Third-party customer financing

Financing offered in connection with our work is provided entirely by independent third-party lenders and payment processors. We are not a lender, broker or financial advisor, we do not set or control approval decisions, credit limits, rates, fees or repayment terms, and we make no representation or guarantee that you will be approved.

Your financing agreement is strictly between you and the lender and is governed by that lender's terms and disclosures. Denial, delay, cancellation or default of financing does not relieve you of your obligation to pay for work performed and materials ordered under your approved estimate.

9. Workmanship warranty and exclusions

Installation workmanship is warranted as stated on your written estimate. Manufacturer warranties on materials pass through to you and are governed by the manufacturer's terms. Warranty coverage requires the account to be paid in full.

The warranty does not cover normal settling, efflorescence, natural color and texture variation in stone, pavers and plant material, joint sand loss, staining, damage from vehicles exceeding rated loads, storms, flooding, freeze, tree roots, pests, irrigation failure, chemical or pressure-washing damage, alterations or repairs performed by others, or lack of routine maintenance.

10. Site conditions, utilities and drainage

We call in the public utility locate service, but public locates do not cover private lines. You are responsible for identifying private utilities, irrigation lines, septic components, invisible fencing, low-voltage lighting and any unmarked lines. We are not responsible for damage to unmarked private lines, and repairs to them are billed as additional work.

Grading and drainage work is designed to improve the movement of water on the property. No contractor can guarantee a site will never hold water during extreme rainfall or storm events, and we are not liable for flooding, standing water or erosion caused by events beyond a normal rain event, upstream runoff, or conditions originating off the property.

Heavy equipment access can leave normal marks on lawns, driveways and adjacent surfaces. We take reasonable care and restore disturbed areas within the contracted scope, but incidental wear associated with access is not considered damage.

11. Cancellation and delays caused by the customer

If work is cancelled after materials have been ordered or after mobilization, you remain responsible for all materials ordered, work completed to date, restocking charges assessed by suppliers and reasonable mobilization costs. Deposits are non-refundable in these circumstances.

If the site is not accessible on the scheduled date, or work is delayed by you, a remobilization fee may apply.

12. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by Florida law, the total liability of Ideal Landscapes & Hardscaping, its owners, employees and subcontractors arising out of or related to the work is limited to the amount actually paid by you for the specific portion of work giving rise to the claim.

We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages, including loss of use, loss of enjoyment, lost profits or diminution in property value.

You agree to notify us in writing and allow a reasonable opportunity to inspect and cure any claimed defect before engaging another contractor. Repairs performed by others without that opportunity void the related warranty and any claim for reimbursement.

13. Permits, HOA approvals and property lines

Unless expressly included in your written estimate, obtaining HOA approval, architectural review approval and any required permits is the customer's responsibility. We provide layout and material details to support those submissions.

You represent that you own the property or are authorized to approve the work, and that the work area is within your property lines. We rely on the boundaries and stakes you identify and are not responsible for encroachment claims arising from incorrect information.

14. Photography and marketing

We may photograph or video completed work for portfolio, website and social media use. Images do not include your name or address unless you approve it in writing. Let us know before the project starts if you prefer to opt out.

15. Force majeure

We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding, extreme heat or rain, fire, labor shortages, supplier delays, material shortages, permitting backlogs, utility outages and government action.

16. Collections, liens and governing law

Past-due balances may accrue interest at the maximum rate permitted by Florida law. You are responsible for reasonable costs of collection, including attorney's fees.

Under Florida law, those who work on your property or provide materials and are not paid in full have a right to enforce a claim against your property, known as a construction lien. We reserve all rights under Chapter 713, Florida Statutes.

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Florida. Venue for any dispute is Hillsborough County, Florida. If any provision is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions stay in full force.

17. Licensing

Ideal Landscapes & Hardscaping is licensed and insured in the State of Florida. Documentation is available on request before work begins.

18. Entire agreement

Your approved written estimate, any written change orders and these terms form the entire agreement between us and supersede any verbal statements, sketches or prior discussions. Only a written change order signed or approved by both parties modifies the scope or price.

19. Contact

Questions about these terms can be directed to (813) 327-1039 or john@ilshs.com.

20. Scope of work, change orders and material price adjustments

Services are limited strictly to the items, material specifications and quantities listed in your approved written proposal. Anything not expressly listed is excluded from the scope.

Scope modifications require a signed written change order. Where a change adds materials or scope, an additional deposit proportional to the new scope is required before materials are ordered or work proceeds.

If raw material market prices rise by more than 10% between estimate approval and material procurement, we reserve the right to pass the increase through to you via a written change order.

21. Payment schedule

Unless your approved estimate states a different schedule, hardscape and combined landscape projects are billed as follows: a 60% initial deposit is due at contract execution to reserve schedule dates and procure materials (work will not begin until funds clear); a 30% progress payment is due upon completion of excavation and/or delivery of hardscape materials to the job site; and the final 10% balance is due upon substantial completion during the final walk-through inspection, prior to handoff.

22. Late payments and work suspension

Unpaid balances more than seven (7) days past due accrue interest at 1.5% per month (18% per annum) or the maximum rate permitted by Florida law, whichever is less.

We reserve the right to suspend work upon non-payment. You are responsible for reasonable costs of collection, including attorney's fees, incurred to recover overdue balances.

23. Jobsite utilities and material security

You agree to provide us continuous, unhindered access to functioning outdoor water spigots and 120V electrical outlets at the job site for the full project duration, at your expense.

Once materials are delivered to the job site, you assume full financial responsibility for their security and protection. We are not liable for materials that are stolen, vandalized or damaged after delivery, and replacement costs are your responsibility.

24. Access routes and existing surface damage

Reaching rear and side yards requires moving heavy machinery across driveways and lawn areas. We assume no liability for cracked or stained driveways, damaged irrigation heads along transit paths, or damaged or rutted sod in transit zones.

Transit route repairs, re-sodding of transit paths and driveway pressure washing are excluded from standard scope and are billed as a written change order.

25. Irrigation pre-testing

Before installing new sod or softscapes, we perform a pre-inspection test of the existing irrigation system. Any required repairs, line fixes or head height adjustments must be completed at your expense via a written change order before sod installation.

We accept no liability for sod failure caused by pre-existing irrigation defects, leaks, low pressure or uncovered zones.

26. Drainage and grading limits

Unless a dedicated engineered drainage system (such as a French drain, catch basin or sump system) is explicitly included in your written proposal, we assume no liability for standing water, pooling, yard flooding or water movement onto adjacent properties.

Grading performed under a standard hardscape or softscape scope is limited to establishing base elevations for the installation. Corrective grading to fix pre-existing slope issues is billed separately.

27. Hardscape workmanship warranty and restocking fees

Hardscape installations carry a one (1) year limited workmanship warranty against structural base settling caused by improper installation. This warranty excludes ground movement, sinkholes, flooding, excessive weight and efflorescence.

Returned, exchanged or modified hardscape material orders are subject to a mandatory 30% restocking fee, plus any additional freight and re-delivery charges.

Minor polymeric sand hazing, like natural color and texture variation in pavers and stone, is a normal occurrence and is not a defect covered under warranty.

28. Plant warranty conditions

The plant guarantee in Section 5 is a 30-day limited warranty consisting of a one-time material replacement for installed trees and shrubs, contingent upon an active automated irrigation system.

The warranty excludes neglect, freeze, heat, pests, sod and annual flowers. Re-planting labor fees apply.

29. Jobsite safety

Active construction zones present serious physical hazards. You, your household members, guests and invitees are strictly prohibited from entering active work zones.

You assume full financial responsibility for any injury or property damage resulting from unauthorized entry into a work zone, and we accept no liability for injuries sustained by non-contractor personnel on site.

30. Design ownership

Designs, plans and drawings prepared for your project remain our property, even after the estimate or proposal is approved.

31. Final walkthrough and completion

Substantial completion is achieved when the specified work is functional and complete per the approved scope. You agree to attend a final walkthrough within 48 hours of our notice.

Minor punch-list items do not justify withholding the final payment balance.

32. Three-day right to cancel

You may cancel this contract without penalty within three (3) business days of signing, pursuant to Florida home solicitation law, by delivering written notice before midnight of the third business day.

For cancellations after that period, non-refundable plant orders (Section 3) and restocking fees (Section 27) will be deducted from the initial deposit.

33. Venue and attorney's fees

These terms are governed by Florida law with exclusive venue in Hillsborough or Pasco County, Florida. In any dispute, the prevailing party is entitled to recover reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.