Am I making a huge mistake hiring a landscaper?

Check three safeguards. 1) Scope: detailed drawings, plant list (botanical names/sizes), base depths, and irrigation specs. 2) Contractor: S330 license, insurance, local references you can visit. 3) Commercial terms: line-item pricing, change-order rules, milestones, and warranties. If you have those, you’re not making a huge mistake—you’re managing risk. If any piece is missing, fix it before work starts.