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Landscapers in Massachusetts
Patios, retaining walls, plantings and drainage for homeowners in Greater Lowell and the Andover and Methuen area. Call (000) 000-0000 or send the form for a free estimate. We'll review your request and help you with the next step.
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- Town-by-town local rules
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Service areas
Massachusetts towns we cover
We're starting in the Merrimack Valley. Each town page covers the local conservation commission, wetland setbacks, watering rules and historic districts that affect yard work there.
Greater Lowell
Andover, Methuen & Lawrence
State rules
What Massachusetts law says about yard projects
Contractor registration. Under M.G.L. c.142A, contractors doing residential work on an existing owner-occupied home of one to four units must register with the state. The regulations exempt contractors who work exclusively in landscaping, ground-level patios, fencing or freestanding masonry walls, or driveways. The state's own guidance chart puts exterior retaining walls on the registration side. Registration matters if something goes wrong: the state Guaranty Fund can cover up to $25,000 of a homeowner's actual loss, and only if the contractor was registered when the contract was signed.
Contracts and deposits. When a job is covered by c.142A, such as a retaining wall or deck, contracts over $1,000 must be in writing, and the deposit can't exceed one-third of the price or the cost of special-order materials, whichever is greater. Contracts signed away from the contractor's place of business carry a three-day right to cancel. Work that falls under the registration exemptions may not carry these protections, so ask for a written contract on every job.
Building permits. The 10th edition of the state building code, in force since October 2024, exempts retaining walls up to four feet unless they support a surcharge, fences up to seven feet, sheds up to 200 square feet, and sidewalks and driveways. Patios aren't named in the exemptions; the state's guidance chart lists ground-level patios as needing no permit. Electrical, plumbing and gas work keep their own permits.
Dig Safe. Excavators must notify Dig Safe (811) at least 72 hours before digging, excluding weekends and legal holidays, and premark the work area in white. Tickets expire if work doesn't start within 30 days.
Wetlands. Under the Wetlands Protection Act, work within 100 feet of a wetland, or within 200 feet of a river (25 feet in some large or densely developed cities), generally needs a Request for Determination of Applicability or a Notice of Intent with the local conservation commission, apart from a short list of minor activities. The state notes that over 100 communities have their own wetlands bylaws on top of it, including every town that has its own page here.
Water and irrigation. Local water suppliers set outdoor watering restrictions, and the state asks communities to limit nonessential use during declared droughts. Irrigation connected to public water needs an approved backflow device installed by a licensed plumber.
Landscaping services
What are you planning?
Patios & Walkways
Pavers, bluestone and natural stone, set on a compacted base that survives frost.
Retaining Walls
Block and stone walls that hold a slope, with drainage behind them.
Landscape Design & Plantings
A plan for the whole yard, then beds, shrubs and trees that suit the site.
Yard Drainage
Grading, drains and dry wells for wet lawns and water near the foundation.
Outdoor Living
Fire pits, outdoor kitchens, pergolas and seating walls.
FAQ
Massachusetts questions
Does a landscaper need to be registered in Massachusetts?
Not always. State regulations exempt contractors who work only in landscaping, ground-level patios, fencing or freestanding walls, or driveways from Home Improvement Contractor registration. Retaining walls, decks and other work on or attached to the house fall under registration, and only registered contractors' jobs are covered by the state Guaranty Fund.
How big a deposit can a contractor ask for?
For work covered by the state home improvement contractor law, such as retaining walls and decks, the deposit can't exceed one-third of the contract price, or the cost of special-order materials if that's more, and contracts over $1,000 must be in writing. Routine landscaping and ground-level patios by a landscape-only contractor are exempt from registration, and those rules may not apply, so agree the deposit and terms in writing anyway.
When does a retaining wall need a building permit?
Under the 10th edition of the state building code, retaining walls over four feet from the bottom of the footing to the top, or any wall supporting a surcharge, need a permit. Fences need one over seven feet, though some towns set a lower local threshold.
Who calls Dig Safe?
Anyone excavating has to notify Dig Safe at least 72 hours ahead, not counting weekends and legal holidays, and premark the area. Dig Safe says property owners and professional contractors are both required to notify it. On a hired job, agree in writing who places the ticket; it's usually the contractor doing the digging.
Is there a charge to use New England Landscapers?
No. The call and the referral are free to homeowners. Your estimate and any work are agreed directly between you and the contractor.