Preparing for a Landscape Installation Project

You're getting ready to make your dream yard a reality! You've quoted your landscaping project, selected your contractor, and approved your landscape design plan. Now, your job is on the schedule and work will be starting soon. It is finally time to bring your landscape vision to life! What final preparations do you need to do get your property ready for work to begin on your landscaping project?

In this article, we are going to tell you how to prepare for an upcoming landscape installation project in your yard. Keep reading to learn more!

Work Site Access

Your contractor likely discussed work site access early on in the project planning process. If they haven't you should be sure they are aware of any special access requirements or restrictions as soon as possible before the crew arrives to start work!

When the time comes to start your project, be sure that you do anything that needs to be done to make the job site accessible such as unlocking gates, moving vehicles, providing gate codes, etc.

​You should also specify where the crew can and cannot drive and/or park on your property. If you have a separate driveway or access road on your property for construction and landscaping crews to use, be sure to point this out when meeting with the contractor at your property.

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Gated Communities

​If you live in a gated community, you'll need to be sure the crew is able to get through the main gate.

If your community has a guard house at the front, you should notify the gate guard that a crew will be coming to your property and the approximate start date of the project. Also, check with the guard to see if any additional steps are required to get access for contractors approved.

If you're in a gated community that requires an access code to open the front gate, ask the HOA first before sharing your resident's gate code with a contractor. Your HOA may have specific access codes for residents to provide their contractors with instead of your own code.

​This also applies if you use a key fob to access your gated community. Fobs are specifically for residents. There's usually a keypad for contractors to use. Always check with your HOA if you are unsure about any contractor access requirements.

Clear the Work Area

Before the landscape installation crew arrives, you should move any objects out of the work area. This includes lawn furniture, toys, decorations, garden tools, and other items.

Be sure these areas are as clear as possible:

• The intended installation area
• Avenues of access to the work area
• 10-yard radius around the work area (where possible)

If there are obstacles which aren't practical to move, (i.e. fountain connected to in-ground plumbing, above-ground pool, etc.) discuss this with your contractor early on in the project planning process. Depending on the situation, special considerations may need to be made for your project. That may mean exploring alternative accessibility options for bring in materials and/or machines, taking extra measures to prevent damages, or other situation-specific plans.

If you are unable to clear the work area yourself and need the crew to do so for you, this should be discussed with your contractor before your project starts. The crew generally doesn't want to handle your things unless they are specifically given permission to do so.

Keep in mind that having the crew clear the work area for you will also require additional labor time for the project.

Make Sure Utilities are Marked

Nearly all landscape installation projects will require breaking the surface of the ground or digging to some degree. That's why it is very important to have all utilities and underground facilities marked before work starts. In fact, it is required by law.

A "dig ticket" must be submitted via your state's free 811 service. 811 notifies utility and other underground facility companies of upcoming projects so that the facilities can be marked. This helps reduce the chances of damage to the facilities and injuries which may result from such damages.

Any legitimate, trustworthy contractor will be aware of this and will take care of submitting the dig ticket for your project.

Check to be sure that the utilities around your property have been marked with flags and/or marking paint at the street. If you don't see any signs of utilities having been marked and work is due to start in a couple of days, notify your contractor.

In the event that you have a contractor who, for whatever reason, refuses to submit a dig ticket for your project; you should find a different contractor. There is no cost for submitting dig tickets. Contractors don't stand to benefit or profit in any fashion by not doing it. There's literally nothing to be gained. Therefore, if a contractor absolutely refuses to submit a dig ticket; it is a safe bet they likely have a few loose screws and some wires that don't connect. You should also reach out to the Public Safety Commission and inform them that the contractor is blatantly refusing to comply with dig laws. Even if they will just be breaking the top very top of the ground's surface, a dig ticket still needs to be submitted.

Real Turf Solutions submits dig tickets even for something as small as core aeration. It's very important for the safety of your property, yourself, your family, and all those around the job site. Plus, it's the law.

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