You’ve hired a landscaping company. You’re excited about transforming your yard. The crew is scheduled to start next week.
But are you actually ready for them?
Most homeowners don’t realize there’s prep work to do before landscaping companies fort collins co show up. Proper preparation makes the project go smoother, faster, and often cheaper. They’ll appreciate a property that’s ready to go. And you’ll appreciate not paying hourly rates while they wait for you to move stuff or figure out where utilities are buried.
Let’s walk through exactly how to prepare your property before landscaping work begins.
Clear the Work Area Completely
This seems obvious, but people often underestimate what “clear” actually means.
The landscaping crew needs full access to work areas. That means removing everything that’s in the way. Patio furniture needs to go. Kids’ toys need to be picked up. Garden hoses should be coiled and moved. Those decorative pots you love need to find a temporary home elsewhere.
Don’t just move things a few feet away. Move them completely out of the work zone. Landscapers will be bringing in equipment, hauling materials, and moving around your property constantly. Things left nearby will either get damaged or will be in the way, causing delays.
If you have a side yard where they’ll be working, clear it entirely. Remove trash cans, recycling bins, and anything stored against the fence. The crew shouldn’t have to play Tetris with your belongings while trying to work.
Garden decorations and yard art need special attention. Those ceramic gnomes or metal sculptures can easily get knocked over or damaged during active landscaping work. Put them safely in the garage or basement until the project’s done.
Mark Underground Utilities
This is critical for safety and avoiding expensive disasters.
Before any digging happens, you need to know where underground utilities are located. This includes gas lines, water lines, sewer lines, electrical cables, phone lines, cable TV lines, and irrigation systems.
Call 811 at least a few days before work begins. This is a free service that contacts all your utility companies. They’ll send people out to mark where their lines run. You’ll see little flags or spray paint showing utility locations.
Don’t skip this step. Professional landscapers will ask if utilities are marked. Some won’t start work until they are. Hitting a gas line or electrical cable isn’t just inconvenient. It’s dangerous and can cost thousands to repair.
If you have an irrigation system, you should have a map showing where the lines and sprinkler heads are located. Provide this to your landscaping crew. Even if utilities are marked, irrigation lines often aren’t included in the 811 service.
Septic systems also need special consideration. Mark where your tank and drain field are located so equipment doesn’t drive over them.
Remove or Protect Existing Plants You Want to Keep
If you’re doing a major landscape renovation, clarify what stays and what goes.
Walk your property with the landscaping company before work starts. Point out any plants you want preserved. Mark them with bright ribbon or spray paint so there’s no confusion.
Some plants might need temporary protection during the work. Delicate perennials near work areas can be damaged by foot traffic or equipment. Consider digging them up temporarily and replanting after the work’s done. Or create barriers around them with stakes and caution tape.
Tree trunks can be wrapped with burlap or padding if equipment will be working nearby. This prevents bark damage from accidental bumps.
Be realistic though. If a shrub is right where the new patio needs to go, it can’t stay. Trying to work around things in the middle of the work area just makes the job harder and more expensive.
Identify and Communicate Access Points
Landscapers need to get equipment and materials into your yard. Figure out the best access points ahead of time.
Most work will go through a side yard gate. Measure your gate width. If it’s only three feet wide but they need to bring in a four-foot-wide aerator, you’ve got a problem. Know your gate dimensions and communicate them to the company when planning the project.
Some properties don’t have side yard access at all. Everything has to go through the house or over fences. This significantly impacts project logistics and cost. Discuss this during the planning phase, not when the crew shows up on day one.
If equipment needs to drive onto your property, identify the route. Will they drive on your lawn? Your driveway? Make sure the path is clear of obstacles. Move cars from the driveway if needed.
For major projects requiring heavy equipment, you might need to temporarily remove fence sections. Plan this in advance and discuss who’s responsible for the removal and reinstallation.
Protect Areas You Don’t Want Disturbed
Landscaping work creates a lot of activity. Crews will be walking around, hauling materials, and occasionally taking shortcuts.
If you have areas of your property that absolutely cannot be disturbed, mark them clearly. New sod you just installed last month. A vegetable garden that’s producing. Flower beds that aren’t part of the project.
Use physical barriers when possible. String up caution tape. Put up temporary fencing. Make it visually obvious where the no-go zones are.
Communicate these areas to the crew supervisor on the first day. Point them out specifically. Don’t assume everyone will automatically know what’s off limits.
Arrange for Pets and Children
Active landscaping sites aren’t safe for kids or pets running around.
If you have dogs, plan to keep them inside or arrange alternative care during work hours. Dogs barking at workers all day is stressful for everyone. And open gates from workers coming and going create escape opportunities.
Cats might seem less problematic, but outdoor cats can get underfoot or hide in equipment. Keep them inside during work hours too.
For families with young children, understand that your yard will be a construction zone. There will be piles of dirt, open holes, equipment, and tools. It’s not a playground. Keep kids away from active work areas.
If kids are home during the day, explain to them that the yard is off-limits while workers are there. Set up play areas inside or arrange activities elsewhere.
Plan for Parking and Equipment Staging
Landscaping crews need somewhere to park their trucks and trailers. They need space to unload and stage materials.
If your driveway will work, great. Make sure it’s clear and available. If not, identify street parking options. Check local regulations about commercial vehicles parking on your street.
Some neighborhoods have HOA restrictions about commercial trucks. Verify this won’t be an issue. The last thing you want is your crew getting parking tickets or HOA complaints on day one.
Materials like pallets of pavers, piles of mulch, or stacks of flagstone need staging areas. These areas should be on your property but out of the way of normal traffic patterns. Your driveway might work. A side yard might be better. Discuss this with your landscaping company beforehand.
Dumpsters or debris piles also need designated spots. Plan where these will go. Make sure they’re accessible for the crew but not blocking your driveway or neighbors’ access.
Communicate with Neighbors
Major landscaping projects affect neighbors, too. Noise, equipment, trucks, and activity all impact the surrounding area.
Give your immediate neighbors a heads up. Let them know when work will start, approximately how long it’ll last, and what to expect. Most people are understanding if you communicate proactively.
If the equipment will be parked on the street in front of their house, let them know. If there will be noise starting early in the morning, warn them. This simple courtesy prevents complaints and maintains good relationships.
Some projects might temporarily impact neighbor access or views. A dumpster might block part of their driveway for a day. Equipment might need to reach over a shared fence. Discuss these situations ahead of time.
Verify Project Details One More Time
A few days before work begins, confirm everything with your landscaping company.
Review the project scope. Make sure you both agree on what’s included. Clarify any gray areas. Discuss the timeline and daily work hours.
Confirm the start date and approximate end date. Understand that the weather can impact schedules, but get a realistic timeframe.
Verify payment terms. When is the deposit due? When are progress payments made? When is the final payment expected? What forms of payment do they accept?
Ask about daily cleanup. Will they clean up debris at the end of each day or only at project completion? Set expectations about how your property will look during the work.
Discuss how you’ll communicate during the project. Who’s your main contact? How do you reach them with questions or concerns? Will someone be on site every day?
Prepare for Disruptions
Understand that landscaping projects disrupt normal life. Accept this going in and plan accordingly.
Your yard will be torn up. There will be dirt, noise, and activity. You might lose access to certain areas for days or weeks. Outdoor water might be shut off periodically. Your daily routines will be affected.
If you work from home, plan around the noise. Schedule important calls for times when you know the crew won’t be operating loud equipment. Or plan to work elsewhere on particularly noisy days.
Expect dust and dirt. Landscaping creates a mess even with the best crews. Seal off interior spaces if work is happening near windows and doors. Put down floor mats at entrances.
Plan meals around limited outdoor access. If your grill is in the work zone, you won’t be using it. If you normally eat on the patio, that might not be possible during the project.
Set Up a Communication System
Decide how you’ll communicate with the crew during the project.
Some homeowners want to be involved daily, checking progress and asking questions. Others prefer to stay hands-off and just review at milestones. Figure out your preference and communicate it.
Exchange contact information with the project supervisor or crew lead. Get their phone number. Give them yours. Establish when it’s appropriate to call with questions.
If you won’t be home during work hours, set up a system for the crew to reach you if needed. They might have questions about plant placement or encounter unexpected issues requiring decisions.
Some companies use project management apps or send daily photo updates. Ask if they offer this. It’s helpful for tracking progress when you’re not home.
Prepare Your Home’s Interior
Even though the work is outside, your home’s interior needs some preparation too.
If workers will need to access water or electricity, identify where. Show them which outdoor outlets they can use. Point out where the hose connections are.
Lock up valuables visible through windows. Landscaping crews are generally trustworthy, but why tempt fate? Put away anything you’d be devastated to lose.
If workers might need to come inside for any reason (rare, but sometimes necessary), pick up common areas. You don’t want strangers walking through a messy house.
Consider your window treatments. If you normally keep blinds or curtains open, decide whether you want them open during the project. Workers might inadvertently see into your home while working near windows.
The Bottom Line
Preparing your property before landscaping work begins makes everything go smoother.
The crew can start immediately without delays. The work progresses faster because they’re not constantly working around obstacles. You avoid misunderstandings about what stays and what goes. And ultimately, you get better results because the crew can focus on quality work instead of logistics.
Most of this preparation takes just a few hours. That small time investment pays off in a better project experience and outcome.
Professional landscapers will work with whatever situation they encounter. But they’ll definitely appreciate a client who’s prepared. And you’ll appreciate the efficiency, professionalism, and results that come from a well-prepared project.
Do the prep work. Communicate clearly. Set proper expectations. Then let the professionals transform your outdoor space.
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