Lawn Management

Holliston's Conservation Commission enforces the Wetlands Protection Act, and Bogastow Brook, Lake Winthrop, the Charles headwaters, and the town's wetlands carry a 100-foot buffer (200 feet along perennial streams) with a no-disturb inner zone — so work near water generally needs an Order of Conditions before grading, clearing, or planting. Public shade trees are protected under state law. Retaining walls over four feet need a building permit and engineering — frequently relevant on Holliston's slopes — and pools, significant grading, and stormwater work require permits. On lots with private wells and septic, those locations also limit grading and plantings.

Holliston pricing sits in the MetroWest band, above central MA but below Boston proper. Weekly mowing typically runs $45-80; spring cleanup $300-800; fall cleanup $400-1,200 on heavily treed lots. Bark mulch installed runs roughly $85-130 per yard. Retaining walls run $40-65 per square face foot. Irrigation typically lands $4,500-8,500. Stone or paver patios and walls run $11-18K. Full design-build with plantings, walls, and hardscape usually lands $25K-85K, with sloped, treed lots costing more once walls and grading are factored in.

Massachusetts requires a written contract and a Home Improvement Contractor registration for most residential landscaping work; ask for the registration number and check it before paying a deposit.

More on permits, costs, rebates and common questions, plus every other landscaping contractor serving the town, on the Landscaping in Holliston page.