You’ve booked your landscaper… what happens next?
We take a quick look at what to expect after you’ve booked your landscaper in for a project and how you can get prepared!
Congratulations! You've chosen your landscaper, checked their reviews, agreed a quotation, and your project is booked into the diary. Whether you're having a new patio installed, replacing a driveway, upgrading your outdoor space or completely transforming your garden, it's an exciting time.
But what happens between booking your project and the first day on site?
A little preparation can make the whole experience smoother for both you and your contractor.
1. Expect a pre-works visit
Many professional landscapers will arrange a pre-works meeting around one or two weeks before your project begins. This isn't about redesigning the project; those decisions have already been made. Instead, it's about the practical details that make everything run smoothly.
You'll discuss things like:
Material delivery dates
Skip locations
Site access
Parking for the team
How you will get power to the site
Where tools and materials will be stored
It's also the perfect opportunity to mention anything your contractor may not know. For example, do you have a dog that might be nervous about all the disruption or make a bid for the open road the moment a gate is left open? Or, perhaps your little human takes a nap in the afternoon - and you really need them to take that nap without interruptions because if they don’t sleep then the afternoon and night that follows is, quite frankly, unbearable. Or, maybe there’s limited parking on certain days. Whatever the little details are that make a big difference in your life, now is the time to speak up. These small details can help your contractor plan ahead and minimise disruption.
2. Pop your questions into a list
It's completely normal to think of questions after you've accepted a quotation. So, before you have your pre-works visit, make a list. Better still, email it to your landscaper a couple of days beforehand so that you talk things through together.
Clear communication at the start helps avoid misunderstandings later.
3. Have a plan for everyday practicalities
Having any sort of contractor work done, be it landscaping, plastering or kitchen fitting will temporarily change how you use your home.
Before work starts, ask yourself:
Will you still be able to use your side access?
How will you put the bins out if your access is temporarily blocked?
If there's a skip on the driveway, where will you park?
If there's cutting or masonry work taking place and there’s dust in the air, where will you dry your washing?
Thinking ahead avoids unnecessary surprises once work is underway.
4. Clear the way!
Before the team arrives, clear access routes and remove anything valuable or fragile that could be accidentally damaged. If materials are being carried through the house, your contractor should protect the flooring, but creating a clear route helps everyone work safely and efficiently.
And if your four-legged friend uses the garden... it's worth doing one final mess patrol before work begins!
5. Be prepared for the British weather!
Landscapers are generally happy to work in all but the worst weather. If they weren’t then they’d never be able to finish a project! However, some tasks simply can't be completed under certain conditions, such as driving rain or freezing days.
For example, pointing brickwork needs to be done in drier conditions; water can compromise and overhydrate the mix, preventing an adequate curing process that results in weak, chalky joints that crumble. Your contractor may not want to risk the integrity of the finished project and decide to leave this part of the work until the rain has stopped.
6. Keep talking
Don't be afraid to ask questions throughout the lifespan of the project. Good contractors would much rather answer a question early than discover later that expectations weren't aligned.
Here’s an example… We once quoted a client for a grab hire and the associated waste from the project was subsequently piled up on boards to the front of the property in readiness for the grab hire to collect it. This came as a huge shock to our client, who had expected everything to be taken out in builders bulk bags which she referred to as ‘grab bags’. She came home from work to find a major excavation in full swing and all the rubble piled to the front of the property. Obviously, this caused her a huge amount of worry and anxiety. But, a quick conversation later, we were able to explain that using builders' bulk bags for an excavation of that size simply wouldn't have been the most practical or cost-effective solution.
A good contractor doesn’t want their clients to worry. They will understand that just having the work take place already creates a great deal of stress and they’ll be looking for ways to help alleviate that for you. Help them along and keep talking. If you think there’s been a misunderstanding, if something isn’t quite how you imagined it or you don’t understand something, it’s always OK to ask.
Open communication keeps everyone on the same page. And, if you’re worried about how to broach a topic then just offer up a cup of tea and it’ll naturally segue into an opportunity to catch up on progress, ask questions and hear what's planned next!
7. Pop day one in the diary
Now, I hesitate to say that you HAVE to be on site for day one because as we’ve discussed in point 5, groundworks (and landscaping in particular) are often at the mercy of the British Weather and so a start date can drift to a few days before or after what was agreed. And, when timescales shift, even a little, it can be difficult to plan around. Your contractor knows this, understands the frustration that accompanies it and will seek to minimise it where possible. However, whilst you don't need to stay home every day while work is taking place, it can be helpful to try and be on site for the first morning.
This is when you’ll be able to meet the rest of the team, ask (or answer!) any final questions and make sure everyone knows where everything is before work gets underway. Your presence for a few hours before the team get stuck in, helps to create boundaries and establish a relationship with them that will be key as work unfolds.
That said, it’s not always possible to align commitments; you have work, family and other commitments and so, if it has to wait for a day or two, let your contractor know that and they’ll make sure you have an opportunity to meet the team at a mutually convenient time.
8. If more than one trade is on site
Sometimes electricians, plumbers, builders or other contractors will need access during the project. As long as everyone has room to work safely, that’s usually not a problem. However, you should let your contractors know if they are likely to expect anyone else on site; this will affect their risk assessment of the site and also may change how they operate. It may also change the order in which things take place. Let your landscaper know if anyone else is expected on site so work can be coordinated between the trades. Ultimately, tradespeople love meeting people from other trades and expanding their network with good people. We have met some of our favourite contractors this way!
9. A note about tools
If your contractor is using machinery or equipment over several days, then they may leave these securely on site overnight.
Now, this may sound obvious (and, you’d be surprised!) but, as tempting as it might be to "just move it" or have a quick go, resist the urge. Only team members are insured to do so and much of the equipment used on landscaping projects requires specialist training and can be dangerous if used or lifted incorrectly.
Similarly, it may sound obvious but if someone is operating a stone cutter, breaker or other noisy machinery while wearing PPE and safety equipment, wait until they've finished before asking a question. You'll get a much better conversation once the heavy tools are safely put to one side and they'll appreciate not being distracted while operating machinery.
10. Don't Panic During the Messy Stage!
Every landscaping project has a point where it can look a bit worse than when it started! And, it’s usually at the beginning.
The first few days are often the demolition and groundworks phase. Patios are broken up, soil is excavated, old materials are removed, and piles of earth, rubble and building materials can suddenly appear where your beautiful new garden is supposed to be.
If you enjoy a tidy, organised environment, this stage can feel particularly unsettling. It's even more of a shock if you've been out at work all day and return home to find half the garden dug up and what looks like chaos unfolding in your safe and personal space.
But, fear not, this is a completely normal part of the process and an essential step in creating a landscape that will last for years to come. You've already done the hard work by choosing a reputable contractor, checking their reviews and agreeing a plan. Now it's time to trust the process.
Before long, the foundations will be in, the new features will start taking shape, and the exciting transformation begins. The messy stage doesn't last forever, but it's what makes the beautiful finished result possible.
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
A landscaping project is a partnership between homeowner and contractor. A little planning, good communication and realistic expectations make the process far more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Before you know it, the skips will be gone, the tools packed away, and you'll be enjoying your new outdoor space.
If you're planning a landscaping project in Kent or East Sussex and have questions about how to start and what to prepare then we're always happy to help. Why not visit our gallery for some inspiration or take a look at what services we offer?
We’d love to hear from you!
