If the question of having undocumented workers do your gardening is a moral dilemma, have no fear: Gustavo is here to tell the truth (in Spanish). First off, he explains, “Either way, José will probably do the work.”
Licensed Landscapers = “Esos vatos cobran una feria.” Basically, he says, these dudes are more expensive. If you hire a licensed landscaper, you are working with an established business. They have the equipment, the team, and the know-how to do landscaping, patio construction, fences, and driveways. They will charge about three times more than a gardener off the street, but they will guarantee the work.
An Independent Mexican = “Pues, cuesta pero no te lo garantizan.” They cost less, says Gustavo, but nothing is guaranteed. If you hire José directly, you can save more money than a licensed landscaper, but the work is not guaranteed. You hire at your own risk.