Personal Services & Property
Class Code 0042: Landscape Gardening & Drivers — Workers' Comp Insurance
Covers landscape design and installation work — planting, grading, and hardscape elements — along with the drivers who transport crews and materials. It's distinct from routine lawn mowing and maintenance, which carries its own separate classification.
- Risk level:
- elevated
What code 0042 covers
Class 0042 applies to landscape gardening businesses performing planting, grading, sod installation, and related hardscape and softscape work, covering crews handling hand tools, small power equipment, and materials such as soil, mulch, and plants, along with drivers who transport crews and supplies between job sites. This work involves more varied physical demands than routine mowing — digging, lifting plant material and landscaping stone, and operating equipment for grading and installation — which is reflected in this classification's elevated risk profile. This code is distinct from commercial lawn maintenance (9102), which covers ongoing mowing and turf care rather than design and installation projects, though many landscaping companies offer both services. Businesses that also perform significant tree removal, irrigation installation, or hardscape/masonry work at scale may need those specific services reviewed as part of underwriting.
Included operations
- Landscape design and planting installation
- Grading, sod laying, and soil preparation
- Mulch, stone, and landscaping material installation
- Drivers transporting crews, plants, and materials to job sites
Assigned elsewhere
- Routine lawn mowing and turf maintenance — see code 9102 (Lawn Maintenance—Commercial)
- Tree removal and trimming performed with specialized climbing or aerial equipment, evaluated under the applicable classification
- Irrigation system installation performed by a specialty contractor, evaluated separately
- Hardscape and masonry work performed at a scale resembling a masonry contractor, evaluated under the applicable contracting classification — see code 5022
Businesses that typically carry 0042
- Landscape design and installation companies
- Full-service landscaping contractors
- Garden center installation crews
- Independently owned service businesses
- Franchise locations
- Multi-location service operators
Common misclassifications
Code 9102
Landscape gardening and routine lawn maintenance are often provided by the same company but involve different duties and are separate classifications.
Code 5022
Landscaping companies that also install substantial retaining walls or hardscape features can drift into masonry-contractor-level work that needs its own classification.
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What drives the cost of code 0042
- Total annual payroll for employees assigned to this classification
- Experience modification factor based on claims history
- State-specific base rates and loss costs filed for this class code
- Claims frequency and severity trends for the business
- Safety programs, training, and workplace controls in place
- Payroll mix across multiple classifications at the same location
What underwriters look for
- Specific services offered and equipment used
- Whether work is performed at the business location, in clients' homes, or off-site
- Prior claims history and current experience modification factor
- Employee training and use of protective equipment
State differences
This entry uses standard NCCI class code phraseology, which applies in most NCCI-governed states. Pennsylvania (PCRB), Delaware (DCRB), California (WCIRB), New Jersey (NJCRIB), Michigan, New York (NYCIRB), and Massachusetts maintain their own classification manuals, and code numbers or phraseology can differ there. Our agency confirms the correct classification for your state before quoting.
Where code 0042 fits
Quote class code 0042.
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Class code 0042 questions
Is this the same code as lawn mowing services?
No, routine mowing and turf maintenance is a separate classification (9102); 0042 covers landscape design and installation work.
Does this code cover our drivers who transport plants and materials?
Yes, drivers transporting crews and materials to job sites are included in this classification.
What if we also build retaining walls or patios?
Substantial hardscape or masonry work may need to be evaluated under a separate contracting classification depending on scope.
Does this cover tree removal?
Tree removal and trimming performed with specialized climbing or aerial equipment is typically evaluated under a different classification given the different hazards involved.
Last reviewed · Reviewed by Provident Financial Group licensed agents