What to Know Before Starting a Landscape Project
Real-world insight from a Colorado design-build contractor
Thinking about upgrading your outdoor space? Whether you’re dreaming of a clean, modern flagstone patio or finally tackling the weed-ridden side yard, it’s exciting to kick off a new landscape project. But before the first shovel hits the ground, there are a few key things you should know — especially if you want the process to go smoothly and the results to last.
This isn’t a fluff list. This is the stuff that makes or breaks a project.
1. Know the “Why” Before You Touch the “What”
We always ask our clients:
“What do you want this space to do for you?”
Not just what you want it to look like, but how you’ll use it.
A place to host summer BBQs?
Low-maintenance curb appeal?
A quiet coffee corner?
Solving a soggy or unusable lawn?
When your vision is clear, we can tailor materials, layout, and budget around it — avoiding overspending or features that look good but don’t serve your actual lifestyle.
2. Colorado’s Climate Will Test Your Yard
Designs and materials that work in other states don’t always hold up in Colorado’s dry, high-altitude climate.
A few things we always account for:
Freeze-thaw cycles can heave or crack improperly installed patios.
Sun exposure is intense and can fade lower-quality materials fast.
Clay-heavy soil means water doesn’t drain like it should unless we engineer it to.
Make sure your contractor understands local conditions — and isn’t just installing something that’ll look good for a month, then fall apart next spring.
3. Your Yard Has a Backstory — And We’ll Discover It
Every yard has history. We’ve uncovered:
Old concrete footers
Abandoned irrigation lines
Buried bricks, roots, or fencing
Unmarked utilities
We plan for the unknowns by building flexibility into our process. If we run into something unexpected, we pause, assess, and loop you in — so there are no surprises without conversations.
4. Be Realistic About Time (And Know What Affects It)
We’ll always give a time estimate — and we do our best to stick to it — but landscaping is still construction. Weather, delays on specialty materials, and site surprises can shift things.
Here’s a realistic timeline range:
Small upgrades: 3–6 days
Mid-sized installs (patios, turf, rock): 1–3 weeks
Full yard renovations: 3–6+ weeks
We’ll always keep communication flowing, but just know: quality work can’t be rushed.
5. Expect Some Temporary Jobsite Impact
This one matters. A jobsite — even a residential one — is still a construction zone. While we treat every property with respect, some things are just part of the process:
Noise: Equipment like compactors, saws, and trucks are necessary for proper install.
Dust/Debris: We clean up daily, but during active phases, expect dust and movement.
Lawn Impact: Wheelbarrows, deliveries, and foot traffic can flatten grass in work zones.
Access Needs: We may need to leave gates open, move hoses, or temporarily re-route irrigation.
If there are things that are sensitive (a dog, a schedule, neighbors, etc.), tell us early and we’ll plan around them wherever possible.
6. Permits, HOAs, and Other Gatekeepers
Depending on the project, some features may need:
City permits (usually for walls, concrete pads, or structures)
HOA approval for style, color, or material
Utility locates if we’re digging
We help handle all of this — just be ready for some paperwork and time on the front end. If you're in an HOA, having those docs or a point of contact handy helps speed things up.
7. Budget for What Lasts — Not Just What’s Cheap
We get it — everyone wants to be smart with their investment. But here's the truth:
A poorly prepped patio will shift or crack within a year.
Cheap weed barrier won’t stop anything.
Thin gravel or mulch looks great for a week… then you’re topping it off every season.
We give you honest pricing with long-term value in mind. Want to scale back? No problem — we can phase a project or offer smart substitutions that still perform well.
Final Word: Good Communication Makes Great Projects
We’re not just laying stone or pulling weeds — we’re building something that changes how you enjoy your home.
So here’s our promise:
We’ll keep you informed.
We’ll respect your time and space.
We’ll be honest if something changes.
If you’re clear on your goals and ready for a professional process, you’re going to love what’s possible.
