Preparing for Your Landscaping Project

5 days ago
3 min read

A Simple Checklist for a Smooth Installation

A successful landscape project begins before the first shovel goes into the ground. A little preparation on your part helps our crew work safely, efficiently, and without unnecessary delays. It also helps protect your property and ensures your project stays on schedule.

Here's how to prepare for your installation with La Madrina Landscape.

One Week Before Your Project

Now is the time to make sure everyone is on the same page.

Review Your Proposal

Take a few minutes to review your signed proposal and landscape plan. Refresh yourself on the scope of work, materials, and any optional items you selected.

Ask Questions Early

Need to make a change? Have a question about the design?

Please contact your designer before installation day.

Once materials are ordered and crews are scheduled, last-minute changes can delay your project or require additional costs.

One to Two Days Before

A little preparation now saves time for everyone.

Mow the Lawn

If weather allows, mow the areas where we'll be working. Short grass makes layout, excavation, and cleanup easier.

Clear the Work Area

Remove items such as:

Patio furniture
Planters
Garden décor
Hoses
Children's toys
Firewood
Portable lighting
Anything else that could be damaged or slow installation

Move Vehicles

Please move vehicles from:

Driveways
Material delivery areas
Streets directly in front of your home if requested

This gives our crews and suppliers room to work safely.

Mark Private Utility Lines

811 locates public utilities—but they do not locate privately installed lines.

Please identify the location of:

Irrigation systems
Low-voltage landscape lighting
Invisible dog fences
Private electrical lines
Private water lines
Drain tile
Cable or internet lines you've installed

If you're unsure where something is buried, let us know before work begins.

Verify Water Access

Many landscape installations require water during planting.

Please ensure an outdoor spigot is:

Accessible
Functional
Turned on if seasonal shutoffs have been used

Clean Up Pet Waste

For everyone's safety and comfort, please remove pet waste from all work areas before we arrive.

The Evening Before

A quick final walkthrough can make project day much easier.

Be sure to:

Unlock any gates we'll need to access.
Double-check that the work area is clear.
Verify outdoor water is available if requested.
Bring pets indoors if they may interfere with construction.

Project Day

Meet Your Crew

You'll be introduced to your foreman, who serves as your primary point of contact throughout construction.

If you have questions during the project, the foreman can help—or coordinate with your designer if needed.

You Don't Need to Stay Home

Many of our clients go to work or run errands while we complete their project.

As long as we've discussed the scope beforehand and have access to the work area, we'll keep things moving.

If we discover something unexpected, we'll contact you before making any significant decisions.

Arrival Window

Our crews operate efficiently, which means arrival times may vary.

A morning arrival could be anytime within a four-hour window depending on:

Material pickups
Equipment loading
Previous job completion
Traffic conditions
Weather

We appreciate your flexibility.

Should You Tip Your Landscaping Crew?

Tipping is never expected, but it's always appreciated.

A compliment you can give our team are:

A cold bottle of water on a hot day
A positive Google review
Referrals to friends and family
Kind words about their workmanship

If you choose to leave a tip, it is shared among the crew members working on your project.