Landscape Overhauls: A Clean Sweep

Landscape overhauls can leave both contractors and clients knee-deep in dirt, ruts and clean-up work. Equipment can tear up turf, uprooted plants leave gaps to be filled, and sidewalks and hardscapes collect a little dust in the process.

“One of our biggest challenges is tearing up the existing landscape to get to the project area,” identified John Moe, landscape designer, Villa Landscapes, Oakdale, Minn. “That gets to be an expense right there, to tear up the whole side yard with ruts just to get to the back yard.”

However, the job isn’t finished until it’s polished. “The best service we can provide includes repairing the damage,” Moe added, noting that during the estimation process he informs clients of repair costs. Since tending to post-project clean-up requires time, companies need to be compensated so they aren’t losing dollars while tying up loose ends.

Clients can choose to pay the clean-up costs or they can pay labor fees that build up when you take equipment out of the picture, Moe said. “We tell them we can do it by hand and it will cost more, or we can do it by tractor and here’s what it will cost to repair it.”

Smaller equipment – like a compact utility loader – is a bonus for completing projects where access is an issue, Moe added. Also, the smaller appearance of these machines cause less customer concern over property damage. He also pointed out that contractors can use different materials that are more easily transported into backyards, through fences and over existing turf. “Maybe you can’t use 5-foot boulders on the site,” he pointed out.

When working on a project where access will cause a messy mid-project property, tackle the hard-to-reach places first. Complete back yards before finishing of the front and prioritize the property in phases, Moe suggested. “You have to be creative.”

The author is Managing Editor – Special Projects for Lawn & Landscape magazine and can be reached at khampshire@lawnandlandscape.com.