Now that you have accepted your estimate, here is how you can help Extreme Landscaping prepare for your job! Regardless of whether your job is a large-scale landscaping installation or you are simply having sod replaced, there are several things you should know about how to prepare for your new landscaping installation that can help to ensure your project occurs on time, on budget and is executed smoothly. Once you know the day your project is set to begin, plan to implement the following steps at least 3-7 days prior to installation.

Clear the Proposed Work Areas

Prior to work starting, you will want to remove all obstacles throughout the area to be landscaped unless you have contracted with your landscaper to remove them. This would include debris, playground equipment, pots, chairs, tables, bird baths, trash, anything of personal value or significance. It is important that access to the work area has been cleared as well.

Mow the Lawn and/or Remove the Weeds

Oftentimes, when a customer knows a part of their lawn is scheduled to be excavated, they discontinue all maintenance services in that area leaving the weeds or grass overgrown. Most landscaping crews do not come equipped with lawn mowing equipment such as trimmers and mowers. Removal will be most efficient if your lawn or weeds have been removed or mowed regularly and recently.

Discontinue Irrigation

Most all new landscaping and construction involves excavating soil and/or sod grass areas. Your landscaper will need to excavate proposed landscaping areas to create new garden beds, dig footings for rock walls and patios or to install new sod. Wet sod is 3 times the weight of dry sod and cannot be removed in nice, even sheets which can more than double the removal time. Plan to stop watering the areas of your lawn that will be traveled and landscaped at least 3 days prior to installation.

Remove Dog Fences and Mosquito Systems

If you have an electric dog fence or mosquito control system installed on your property and part of it runs through the installation area, you will need to remove the lines. If you have a mosquito system. please drain the system and remove all heads and lines from the area prior to landscaping installation. The lines on mosquito systems tend to be buried just under the soil line and easily pierced with a shovel. Landscaping crews will not have the parts and know-how to repair these systems.

Identify Underground Utilities and Irrigation

Most all landscaping work always involves digging. While our employees at Extreme Landscaping should always dig cautiously, they cannot accurately anticipate what lies under the ground. Consequently, we should have access to your irrigation panel, and our technicians will turn the irrigation system on prior to digging to mark sprinkler heads and verify what does/doesn’t work. If possible, let our technicians know prior to digging if you have a drip line irrigation system in the excavation area so it can be removed or identified. As for major utility lines, most are found far enough underground that they don’t interfere with landscaping excavation, but some internet and cable wires sit only a few inches under the ground and are not encased within a protective pipe. One week prior to installation, plan to have your underground utility lines marked. Any New Mexico resident can call NM811 (811 or 800-321-ALERT) or go online (https://www.nm811.org/) and request that their utility lines be marked. This is a free service and can usually be completed within 3 business days.

Installing new landscaping can take a great deal of effort upfront to plan and execute. It’s absolutely worth the investment in the end but knowing how to prepare for your new landscaping installation project before it begins will help eliminate delays and make the installation as painless as possible. We look forward to working with you and making your vision a reality real soon!