Thinking about reaching out to Landscape Jimmy but not sure what to expect? Maybe you’ve driven past a yard we’ve transformed and wondered, “How do I get something like that?” Or maybe you’ve got a problem area on your property, something that’s been bothering you for years, and you’re finally ready to do something about it.
Whatever brought you here, I want you to know exactly what happens from that very first call all the way to the day we pack up our trucks and hand your outdoor space back to you.
We’ve been doing this for over 38 years, and one thing I’ve learned is that the process matters just as much as the finished product. So let me walk you through it!
Step One: You Reach Out — And We Actually Pick Up
Whether you call, email, or send a message through our contact page, you can expect to hear back from us within a couple hours — if not sooner. I know how frustrating reaching out to multiple contractors can be.You reach out and then wait. And wait. And wait. That’s not how we operate. When someone takes the time to contact us, that tells me they’re serious about their project, and they deserve a timely, respectful response.
When we connect for the first time, I want to have a real conversation. I’ll ask about what services you’re interested in, get a brief feel for the scope of what you’re thinking, find out where you’re located, and figure out the best time to get together and meet in person.
I’ll also ask what prompted the call — what problem or issue is making you want to make a change — because that tells me a lot about where to start.
I’ll also ask how you heard about us. That one might seem small, but it matters to us!
Step Two: The On-Site Consultation
Once we’ve had that initial conversation and I have a general idea of the type of project you’re interested in, we’ll set up a time to meet at your property. And I want to be clear: this meeting is really about you. It’s less of a sales presentation and more of an interview — me asking questions and genuinely listening to your answers.
For landscaping projects, I want to understand not just what your yard looks like, but how you live. Do you have a budget in mind? Do you like to garden? What types of plants speak to you? What’s your favorite color? Do you like things clean and formal — tight, structured plantings with sharp lines — or do you lean more toward something relaxed and informal, a little more natural and rustic? Do you have pets? Kids? What does your family like to do outside? All of those things shape what I’m going to recommend for your space.
For hardscaping projects, I want to start with the problems. What’s not working right now? Is it drainage? Lack of usable space? A boring patio that nobody uses? From there, we talk about how you want to use the new space. Do you love to entertain? Do you grill? Do you want a fire pit or a full outdoor kitchen? Is a covered area on your list? What about a pool or hot tub down the road? I gather as much information as I possibly can in that first meeting, take measurements, and I’ll leave you with some product literature so you can start thinking about materials — different paver options, wall block, that kind of thing. Not sure what’s possible with hardscaping? Take a look at 5 hardscaping projects you can do in any season to get the wheels turning.
The goal of this meeting is to walk away with a clear picture of your vision so I can start turning it into something real.
Step Three: Turning Your Vision into a Plan
I take a lot of notes. I’m listening to everything you say, paying attention to the little details, and making recommendations along the way to help pull everything together. Before I leave that initial consultation, I review my notes with you right then and there — I want to make sure I haven’t missed anything — and I let you know when you can expect to hear back from me with a concept plan.
Once I have that initial design ready, I’ll reach out and we’ll sit down together to go over it. I’ll walk you through the concept and the budget numbers, and from there we start to fine-tune things. This might mean
walking through a nursery together to look at plants up close, or visiting a hardscape vendor to compare pavers and wall blocks in person. There’s no substitute for seeing and touching the actual materials before committing to them.
We keep refining until the plan truly reflects what you want. This is your outdoor space — it should feel exactly right before we ever break ground. Want to see what this process looks like in practice? Check out our Backyard Oasis transformation — a real project where we worked closely with homeowners to completely reimagine their yard from the ground up.
Step Four: From Signed Contract to Breaking Ground
Once the contract is signed, the next question is always: “When do you start?” Honestly, it depends on a few things. Weather is the biggest factor by far — there’s only so much you can do when Mother Nature has other plans. Beyond that, our current project schedule and the size of your project both play a role.
In general, you can expect anywhere from two to three weeks to two to three months between signing and start date. I know that range sounds wide, but every project is different. And sometimes — more often than you’d think — a customer will add a couple of things to their project after we’ve signed. Maybe it’s a small add-on, maybe it turns into something more significant. Either way, we make sure every project gets the time and attention it deserves, and we won’t rush yours to get to the next one.
Step Five: The Work Begins — And We Stay Connected
When our trucks pull up on day one, you won’t just see a crew show up and start digging without any introduction. I’ll be there. I make it a point to meet with the homeowner at the start of every project, introduce them to the team, and make sure they know exactly who the team leader is in case they have questions while I’m not on site.
But here’s the thing — I want you to call me directly, any time. My number is on file and I mean it when I say use it.
Throughout the project, I send daily updates — either a quick text or a call — so you always know what’s happening. I also visit the job sites throughout the day to check in with the crews, make sure the work is meeting our standards, and stay on top of any changes or decisions that come up. We take pride in every single project, and that means I need to be present and involved, not just at the beginning and end.
When the project wraps up, I follow up with every customer to make sure they are 100% happy — with the work itself and with how we left the site. Clean-up is part of the job, not an afterthought.
The Best Part? Seeing Your Reaction
People ask me all the time what my favorite part of the job is. It’s not the design phase, as much as I love that. It’s not even the physical build, as satisfying as it is to watch everything come together.
My favorite part is taking a space that the customer wasn’t happy with — something problematic, something they were embarrassed to look at — and seeing that same space get completely transformed into something beautiful and spectacular. And then watching the homeowner see it for the first time.
That reaction — the smiles, the excitement, the moment someone realizes their yard has become something they’re genuinely proud of — that’s why we do what we do. We want to make a real, positive change to your property. Something you’ll love for years to come.
If you’re ready to start that conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Give us a call or send us a message, and I promise you’ll hear back quickly. Let’s build something great together.