POLL: Is Landscaping A Trade?

[Ed The Roofer]

Well, is it?

If it only includes grass cutting, does that count, but if they do all sorts of lawn decorating with stone etc..., does that make it a trade?

Opinions Please.

Vote Early And Vote Often.

Ed

[Mike(VA)]

When you get into serious work with design elements such as hardscaping, rain gardens, koi ponds, etc, you could call it a trade. However, my view is that trades are those you have to be specifically licensed by the local jurisdictions to do such as plumbing, electrical, gas, etc. No slight to the landscapers, but cutting grass, trimming hedges, and planting a few glads is not a trade.

[Ed The Roofer]

So then, would you only consider "Licensed" trades to actually be trades?

In jy opinon, the skill-set required determines if it is an official trade, not something that you could train the neighbors kid to do in a day or two.

Maybe the poll should have stated, Is it a "Skilled" trade?

Ed

[Mike(VA)]

I agree, but what skill does it take to cut grass? That is why I distinguished between the two types. Again, to me, 'trades' are those licensed by the state to perform that type of work. Doesn't equate to 'skilled', but usually does by historical definition.

Got to go check out 'Wha's fer dinner'. See ya.

[SLS-Construction]

Hardscaping - falls under the masonry, excavation & concrete trades

Sprinklers, drip systems - plumbing

Low voltage lighting - electrical

Plantings, etc - not unless we want to count it as excavation

Lawn maintenance - uh no, but is that any different than those of us that add Handyman Services to fill slots, etc... If all they do is lawn maintenance, then no - but most fix the lights & sprinklers when they have issues - so we are back at the Handyman question again

[Ed The Roofer]

Hardscaping - falls under the masonry, excavation & concrete trades

Sprinklers, drip systems - plumbing

Low voltage lighting - electrical

Plantings, etc - not unless we want to count it as excavation

Lawn maintenance - uh no, but is that any different than those of us that add Handyman Services to fill slots, etc... If all they do is lawn maintenance, then no - but most fix the lights & sprinklers when they have issues - so we are back at the Handyman question again


That was going to be my next poll.

Ed

[Ed The Roofer]

So, Roofing is Licensed in Illinois, but not in the adjoining States.

So, am I a tradesman only when I work in Illinois?

Ed

[Dusty]

Landscaping is a trade. Cutting grass is not.

A Landscaper understands the chemical composits of soil. They understand the multitudes of disease/insects that effect our lawns and gardens. They understand and have the ability to solve such issues.

A landscaper knows what plants are suitable for different soils, lighting, and geographical location.

You get my point. A true landscaper has devoted his/her time to educating themselves in a specific area. It is an agricultural trade much like farming.

[WarnerConstInc.]

Can I be a basement landscaper??

[ModernStyle]

I vote no, if my brother does it then it cant be hard

[Allrounder]

When you get into serious work with design elements such as hardscaping, rain gardens, koi ponds, etc, you could call it a trade. However, my view is that trades are those you have to be specifically licensed by the local jurisdictions to do such as plumbing, electrical, gas, etc. No slight to the landscapers, but cutting grass, trimming hedges, and planting a few glads is not a trade.

You don't need a license to paint, so does this mean that painting is not a skilled trade? What about finish carpentry? Or mudding drywall? Are these people not skilled?

[buildpinnacle]

I would venture to state that a 16 year old mowing the grass is as much of a trade as my nephew toting bundles of shingles up the ladder in the summer. However, a turf management professional who understands a yard like Ed understands a roof, I will give him the nod. If he knows when to fertilize and why and how the soil will react if he does it at any other time or in what conditions, etc etc etc, he knows well more than I do about it so let him have the title.

[Dusty]

I vote no, if my brother does it then it cant be hard

Oh my God!
THERE ARE MORE OF YOU?

[ModernStyle]

not really, I have 2 half brothers and 2 half sisters, I am a unique mix of genetic material.

[Dusty]

Unique you are, my friend.:ears:

[TulsaRemodeler]

A seasoned full service landscaper yes, a hackscaper no.

[Winchester]

I don't really consider "lawn maintenance" landscaping, so yes.

That's like calling someone who pressure washes a painter.

[sparkydave]

I guess if any decent project needs a landscape architect, there might be. sure wouldn't want to see some guy who has a natural bent for it taking it up in retirement, and having his knuckles rapped because he wasn't "qualified". Certainly far from a restricted trade. There is also a vast ammount of knowledge out there, but I think you would have a hard time proving risk from unqualified practitioners, although in this day and age, it's not impossible.

Dave

[sparkydave]

Oh my God!
THERE ARE MORE OF YOU?

Cute little girl!
(avatar)

Dave

(was hoping for something more recent, though.... (joke)

[Silvertree]

The University of Minnesota has a 4 year degree program for arborists and plant sciences.

The real question is, define landscaping.

Its not fair to a guy like Bob the Landscaper to have to defend studying for years on proper planting, drainage, soil mix and plantings that encourage healthy growth, and then comparing him to a lawn guy.

Its the difference between a painter and someone who paints.

[Eieio]

What construction colleges did you guys graduate from to become Professional contractors??

Your license means your a professional?

[SLS-Construction]

http://www.ab.edu/uploads/Ye/v1/Yev1Z9xWO2djRg9tabk7CA/UHK.jpg

[Blue]

What construction colleges did you guys graduate from to become Professional contractors??

Your license means your a professional?

Mine was an open book test and I failed it on my first try :grin:.

I went and bought tab dividers for the book and passed it on the second try.

No finish college- I wasn't smart enough to stick with it.

[Mike(VA)]

Made it through one year of architecture college. Spending one semester painting with bamboo brushes wasn't my idea of architecture. Had better things to do which was anything but college. History was made but it was never recorded.

[FRY1975]

So, Roofing is Licensed in Illinois, but not in the adjoining Atates.

So, am I a tradesman only when I work in Illinois?

Ed


Yep. Just bought a Senate seat today, Ed.:grin:




Jeremy

[buildpinnacle]

What construction colleges did you guys graduate from to become Professional contractors??

Your license means your a professional?

Oklahoma State 1993
Bachelor of Science in Construction Management Technology

You did ask!

[tinner666]

I define Landscapers as Exterior Decorators. They layout the land to look like something in particular, either for usefullness, or looks.
Lawn cutters and hedge trimmers are not included as far as I'm concerned.
The guys that custom cut trees and bushes in look like animals are another catergory of artists that I woudn't consider landscaping.

[Winchester]

I define Landscapers as Exterior Decorators. They layout the land to look like something in particular, either for usefullness, or looks.
Lawn cutters and hedge trimmers are not included as far as I'm concerned.
The guys that custom cut trees and bushes in look like animals are another catergory of artists that I woudn't consider landscaping.
What about the guys building retaining walls, doing grading, drainage, stone paver driveways, walkways, patios, etc?

Are these guys exterior decorators?

Someone asked where the safety was involved?

What if you were doing a stepped retaining wall 8' at a time with stairs, drainage, and a stone patio at the top?

There's real knowledge required when doing real landscaping besides planting shrubs and exotic grasses.

[mrusk]

No not a trade at all :rolleyes3::rolleyes3:

[Splinter]

I'm probably one of a dozen people left on Long Island that actually mow their own lawns. Everybody here uses a service, and they're all called Landscapers. Many of them will do design work, plantings, small retaining walls, planter beds, etc.

Many more just cut grass... These guys can get hundreds of accounts, so there's no need to expand into anything besides mowing lawns. These companies are usually one or two documented citizens, and a half dozen illegals. Homeowners dont care who's cutting their lawn because it's done while they're at work, and only costs them $25 a week. It's a blow-n-go-lawn-mow.

I just trademarked that term... Dont try to steal it... :grin::grin:


I personally feel that if you just cut grass for a living, it's not a skilled trade. My 2 year old does the same thing with her bubble-maker lawn mower.

[Winchester]

No not a trade at all :rolleyes3::rolleyes3:

Yeah, sorry. Better pick up something else...

[tinner666]

What about the guys building retaining walls, doing grading, drainage, stone paver driveways, walkways, patios, etc?

Are these guys exterior decorators?

Someone asked where the safety was involved?

What if you were doing a stepped retaining wall 8' at a time with stairs, drainage, and a stone patio at the top?

There's real knowledge required when doing real landscaping besides planting shrubs and exotic grasses.

Maybe I should have been clearer? They are landscapers and I consider them professionals. Decorators are considered professionals too.

I do use too few words. Sorry.

[Allrounder]

It's a blow-n-go-lawn-mow.

:laugh4::laugh4::laugh4::laugh4:

[tinner666]

"I define Landscapers as Exterior Decorators. They layout the land to look like something in particular, either for usefullness, or looks."

I was a bit simplistic, wasn't I. Landscapers do retaining walls, or at least 'spec' them, and then, I guess we get the excavators in there next?:builder2:

Some only tell people where to put trees. I've seen their qualities run the gaument (sp). Some just draw up stuff. Some do the work.

[Winchester]

Landscapers do retaining walls, or at least 'spec' them, and then, I guess we get the excavators in there next?:builder2:

The landscaping company I used to work for does everything from start to finish...

I did almost everything with this and a walk-behind skidsteer

http://www.publiquip.com/photo/Kubota-BX24.jpg
(not sure if it was the same size as this, I can't tell from the photo, but it was a kubota

[TulsaRemodeler]

The landscaping company I used to work for does everything from start to finish...

I did almost everything with this and a walk-behind skidsteer

http://www.publiquip.com/photo/Kubota-BX24.jpg
(not sure if it was the same size as this, I can't tell from the photo, but it was a kubota
This looks like a Bob tractor.

[Winchester]

This looks like a Bob tractor.
Actually, this is the only tractor bob uses
http://www.farmall-land-usa.com/2008_images/gallery_links/pink_tractor.jpg