1. Q: What is the minimum license classification required for landscape
contracting in NC? ANSWER Landscape Contractor License (LI or LII
classification depending on project value)
2. Q: What is the monetary limit for an unclassified landscape contractor
in NC? ANSWER $30,000 per project
3. Q: How often must a landscape contractor license be renewed in NC?
ANSWER Annually
4. Q: What is required to obtain a landscape contractor license in NC?
ANSWER Pass the licensing exam, provide proof of insurance, and pay
required fees
5. Q: What type of insurance is required for landscape contractors in NC?
ANSWER General liability insurance and workers' compensation (if
employees)
6. Q: What is the minimum general liability insurance amount typically
required? ANSWER $300,000 per occurrence (varies by licensing board
requirements)
7. Q: Can a landscape contractor subcontract work without proper
licensing? ANSWER No, subcontractors must also be properly licensed for
their scope of work
8. Q: What agency regulates landscape contractors in NC? ANSWER NC
Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board
9. Q: What happens if a contractor works without a license? ANSWER
Subject to fines, cease and desist orders, and possible criminal charges
10. Q: Are landscape contractors required to have a written contract?
ANSWER Yes, for projects over $30,000 it's required; recommended for all
projects
11. Q: What must be included in a landscape contract? ANSWER Scope of
work, timeline, payment schedule, materials, and warranty information
,12. Q: How long must contractors keep business records? ANSWER
Minimum of 3 years
13. Q: What is a lien waiver? ANSWER A document waiving the right to file
a mechanics lien upon payment
14. Q: How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in NC?
ANSWER Within 120 days of last furnishing labor or materials
15. Q: What is the purpose of a performance bond? ANSWER Guarantees
project completion according to contract terms
16. Q: What is a payment bond? ANSWER Ensures subcontractors and
suppliers are paid
17. Q: Can a homeowner act as their own landscape contractor? ANSWER
Yes, for their primary residence only
18. Q: What is the statute of limitations for construction defects in NC?
ANSWER 6 years from substantial completion
19. Q: Are verbal contracts enforceable for landscape work? ANSWER
Limited enforceability; written contracts strongly recommended
20. Q: What is required for change orders? ANSWER Written
documentation signed by both parties
21. Q: What is retainage? ANSWER Percentage of payment withheld until
project completion (typically 5-10%)
22. Q: When must final payment be made? ANSWER Upon substantial
completion and acceptance of work
23. Q: What is substantial completion? ANSWER When work is sufficiently
complete for intended use
24. Q: Are landscape contractors required to provide warranties?
ANSWER Yes, at minimum implied warranties; express warranties should be
in writing
25. Q: What is a typical plant warranty period? ANSWER 1 year, though
this varies by contract
26. Q: What is the difference between LI and LII classifications?
ANSWER LI is unlimited; LII has project value limitations
27. Q: Can a license be suspended or revoked? ANSWER Yes, for
violations of licensing laws or regulations
, 28. Q: What is required to reinstate a revoked license? ANSWER Meet all
original requirements plus address reasons for revocation
29. Q: Are continuing education credits required? ANSWER Check current
NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board requirements
30. Q: What is the penalty for contracting without a license? ANSWER
Misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,000
31. Q: Must landscape contractors register their business name? ANSWER
Yes, with the NC Secretary of State if using a trade name
32. Q: What is an assumed name certificate? ANSWER Registration of a
business name different from owner's legal name
33. Q: Are landscape contractors required to collect sales tax? ANSWER
Yes, on materials in certain situations; consult NC DOR
34. Q: What is the NC sales tax rate? ANSWER Variable by county; state
rate is 4.75% plus local rates
35. Q: When is a building permit required for landscape work? ANSWER
For retaining walls over 4 feet, structures, and electrical/plumbing work
36. Q: Who can design landscape plans in NC? ANSWER Licensed
landscape architects or contractors within their scope
37. Q: What is the difference between design-build and design-bid-build?
ANSWER Design-build: one entity does both; design-bid-build: separate
designer and contractor
38. Q: What is bid shopping? ANSWER Unethical practice of using one bid
to negotiate lower prices with others
39. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-construction meeting? ANSWER
Clarify expectations, schedule, and responsibilities before work begins
40. Q: What is a punch list? ANSWER List of items needing correction or
completion before final acceptance
SECTION 2: SOILS & SITE ANALYSIS (Questions 41-80)
41. Q: What are the three components of soil? ANSWER Sand, silt, and
clay (mineral particles)
contracting in NC? ANSWER Landscape Contractor License (LI or LII
classification depending on project value)
2. Q: What is the monetary limit for an unclassified landscape contractor
in NC? ANSWER $30,000 per project
3. Q: How often must a landscape contractor license be renewed in NC?
ANSWER Annually
4. Q: What is required to obtain a landscape contractor license in NC?
ANSWER Pass the licensing exam, provide proof of insurance, and pay
required fees
5. Q: What type of insurance is required for landscape contractors in NC?
ANSWER General liability insurance and workers' compensation (if
employees)
6. Q: What is the minimum general liability insurance amount typically
required? ANSWER $300,000 per occurrence (varies by licensing board
requirements)
7. Q: Can a landscape contractor subcontract work without proper
licensing? ANSWER No, subcontractors must also be properly licensed for
their scope of work
8. Q: What agency regulates landscape contractors in NC? ANSWER NC
Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board
9. Q: What happens if a contractor works without a license? ANSWER
Subject to fines, cease and desist orders, and possible criminal charges
10. Q: Are landscape contractors required to have a written contract?
ANSWER Yes, for projects over $30,000 it's required; recommended for all
projects
11. Q: What must be included in a landscape contract? ANSWER Scope of
work, timeline, payment schedule, materials, and warranty information
,12. Q: How long must contractors keep business records? ANSWER
Minimum of 3 years
13. Q: What is a lien waiver? ANSWER A document waiving the right to file
a mechanics lien upon payment
14. Q: How long does a contractor have to file a mechanics lien in NC?
ANSWER Within 120 days of last furnishing labor or materials
15. Q: What is the purpose of a performance bond? ANSWER Guarantees
project completion according to contract terms
16. Q: What is a payment bond? ANSWER Ensures subcontractors and
suppliers are paid
17. Q: Can a homeowner act as their own landscape contractor? ANSWER
Yes, for their primary residence only
18. Q: What is the statute of limitations for construction defects in NC?
ANSWER 6 years from substantial completion
19. Q: Are verbal contracts enforceable for landscape work? ANSWER
Limited enforceability; written contracts strongly recommended
20. Q: What is required for change orders? ANSWER Written
documentation signed by both parties
21. Q: What is retainage? ANSWER Percentage of payment withheld until
project completion (typically 5-10%)
22. Q: When must final payment be made? ANSWER Upon substantial
completion and acceptance of work
23. Q: What is substantial completion? ANSWER When work is sufficiently
complete for intended use
24. Q: Are landscape contractors required to provide warranties?
ANSWER Yes, at minimum implied warranties; express warranties should be
in writing
25. Q: What is a typical plant warranty period? ANSWER 1 year, though
this varies by contract
26. Q: What is the difference between LI and LII classifications?
ANSWER LI is unlimited; LII has project value limitations
27. Q: Can a license be suspended or revoked? ANSWER Yes, for
violations of licensing laws or regulations
, 28. Q: What is required to reinstate a revoked license? ANSWER Meet all
original requirements plus address reasons for revocation
29. Q: Are continuing education credits required? ANSWER Check current
NC Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board requirements
30. Q: What is the penalty for contracting without a license? ANSWER
Misdemeanor charges and fines up to $1,000
31. Q: Must landscape contractors register their business name? ANSWER
Yes, with the NC Secretary of State if using a trade name
32. Q: What is an assumed name certificate? ANSWER Registration of a
business name different from owner's legal name
33. Q: Are landscape contractors required to collect sales tax? ANSWER
Yes, on materials in certain situations; consult NC DOR
34. Q: What is the NC sales tax rate? ANSWER Variable by county; state
rate is 4.75% plus local rates
35. Q: When is a building permit required for landscape work? ANSWER
For retaining walls over 4 feet, structures, and electrical/plumbing work
36. Q: Who can design landscape plans in NC? ANSWER Licensed
landscape architects or contractors within their scope
37. Q: What is the difference between design-build and design-bid-build?
ANSWER Design-build: one entity does both; design-bid-build: separate
designer and contractor
38. Q: What is bid shopping? ANSWER Unethical practice of using one bid
to negotiate lower prices with others
39. Q: What is the purpose of a pre-construction meeting? ANSWER
Clarify expectations, schedule, and responsibilities before work begins
40. Q: What is a punch list? ANSWER List of items needing correction or
completion before final acceptance
SECTION 2: SOILS & SITE ANALYSIS (Questions 41-80)
41. Q: What are the three components of soil? ANSWER Sand, silt, and
clay (mineral particles)
