At Peer Landscaping in Fort Myers, FL, we find immense joy in undertaking large-scale landscape installations. Having a blank canvas to work with allows us to create a fresh and captivating look for your yard. Once the contract is signed, both you and our team gear up for the real work ahead. A landscape installation is a time-consuming and sometimes messy process, but by taking certain steps on your end, you can ensure a smooth and timely completion of your project within the allocated budget. To facilitate this, we recommend following a plan starting at least 3 to 7 days before the installation commences. By taking these initial measures, you’ll make the entire process easier for yourself and our crew.
Discontinue Lawn Treatments: It’s important to cease all lawn treatments at least two weeks prior to the installation. During the excavation and installation of your new landscape, our crew will be in close contact with the soil and plants. The herbicides and pesticides present in fertilizers, pest control products, and weed control applications can be harmful. Allowing a two-week interval ensures that these products disintegrate and are washed away by rain, minimizing any potential harm to our crew and the landscaping.
Identify Underground Utilities and Irrigation: While major utility lines such as plumbing and sewage are typically deep enough not to interfere with our excavation, it’s essential to consider other underground connections like cable, internet, and phone lines. These lines are often only a few inches below the surface and lack protective encasement. Since landscape installation involves digging, we request that you mark these underground utilities for us or have them marked by the utility companies at least one week prior to installation. This is usually a free service provided by the utilities.
Clean Up, Clear Up, Pack Up: Before we initiate your landscape installation, it’s recommended to survey your yard and remove any obstacles in the designated landscaping areas. This includes items like large potted plants, bird baths, playground equipment, or statuary that won’t be incorporated into the new design. Dispose of anything that won’t be used and store away any items of personal value. Move potted plants to a safe location to prevent damage. If there are items that can’t be moved or stored, simply inform our work crew and they will take extra care. Ensuring clear access to the work area facilitates a swift installation process.
Stop Irrigation Prior to Install: One of the initial steps our crew will take is excavating soil and grass in the designated area to create new gardens, lay sod, or install hardscape elements. Wet soil and sod are significantly heavier, approximately three times the weight of dry dirt, making removal more laborious and time-consuming. Dry sod can be easily removed in even sheets. Therefore, we kindly request that you discontinue irrigating or watering your lawn three to four days before the scheduled installation date to ensure optimal progress according to our timeline.
Mow the Yard: Just as a wet lawn slows down the landscaping process, an overgrown lawn requires additional time and attention from our team. We don’t bring lawn mowing equipment or trimmers during installations, so please ensure your lawn is properly maintained and not overgrown. Stick to your regular mowing schedule in the weeks leading up to the installation.
Remove Mosquito Systems and Dog Fences: Both mosquito control systems and dog fences have lines that run just below the soil surface, making them susceptible to damage from the shovels and spades used for excavation. Mosquito control systems include lines, heads, and pesticides within the lines. Prior to the installation, we kindly request that you drain the system and remove all heads and lines from the designated installation area.
Ensure Safety: Consider your regular use of the yard and the presence of children and pets who typically play outside throughout the day. During the landscape installation process, your yard essentially becomes a construction site with various equipment and potential hazards. This combination can pose risks to children and pets. Plan your daily activities accordingly, accounting for the fact that they won’t have normal access to the yard. Arrange alternative exit and entrance routes to the house and consider taking your children and pets to a nearby park during this period. We prioritize the safety of your loved ones and aim to prevent any unintended damage to our ongoing work. The newly planted vegetation requires time to establish itself, so it’s crucial to keep pets and children away from the area for a few weeks after planting.
Create a Staging Area: In a large installation, there may be a need to deliver materials for the project before the actual installation begins. Inform our crew about the desired location within your yard that can serve as a staging area to store these materials. This ensures that they are readily accessible to our team while remaining safely out of your way and protected against theft or damage.
By following these guidelines, you can efficiently prepare for your upcoming landscape installation with Peer Landscaping. We look forward to creating a stunning outdoor space that will bring you joy for years to come! Give us a call at 239-645-6455.
