Frequently Asked Questions

Find Answers to the Most Common questions We are Asked

We regularly receive questions from our customers; here are some of the most common. If you have any questions you would like answered, please contact us at 651-755-7901, or email us at matt@McDonoughLandscapingMN.com  You can also find additional information and landscaping tips on our Facebook page, or in our blogposts.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes!  We are a Licensed Residential Building Contractor, #BC647910, with the State of Minnesota through the Department of Labor and Industry.  We also are licensed with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  We carry general liability, workers compensation, and commercial auto insurance policies.

Do you charge for your estimates?

No, there is no fee for providing you with an estimate for your project.  Often we are able to provide you a complete estimate for your project based off of the initial no fee consultation; however, there are projects that will require a landscape design. We do charge a small fee for landscape design services, those fees can range from $65.00 – $1500.00 depending on the size and scope of your project.

How do you price your services, what can I expect in an estimate?

In your estimate you will receive a detailed list or line item description of the type of materials and services that we will use, the quantities of the materials and the cost of the labor to install each type of material or service. We will also break the estimate into sections based on the project you have, so you can clearly see what you will receive in your project installation, and it gives us the ability to easily add and remove services and materials to meet your budget.

Can you work within my budget? Can we phase out parts of the project?

Yes, we always will take your budget into consideration when designing and planning your project.  A skilled designer should be able to design a landscape to meet your needs while maintaining your budget requirements.  Large projects may require phasing portions of the project over several years, our designer will be happy to discuss what phases of your project can be installed at a later date. We are proud to say we have many returning customers that have hired us to complete landscape projects one or two years, to as long as eight years after the initial project installation.

I received estimates from several contractors, how can I compare them Apples to Apples, or why is one lower or higher than the other?

McDonough Landscaping, Inc. prices our services based on the cost we pay for the materials, our labor costs, and our general operating costs, such as insurance, fuel, and equipment.  The experience level, training and continuing education of our team members determines how we will charge for the labor we provide.  It is very difficult to compare two or more landscape contractors Apples to Apples, not only are labor costs and general operating costs going to be different, but more importantly landscaping is as much a creative art form as it is an installation service.  

The creativity that an experienced designer, and the experience and knowledge that an installation crew have will vary greatly from one company to another, and I urge any potential customer to look at all aspects of a landscape company as well as the estimate.  The cost of a poorly designed and improperly installed project will often cost you more in the long run.  McDonough Landscaping, Inc. provides maximum value, with fair and reasonable prices based on years of experience, knowledge and creativity designing and installing landscapes.

When will you complete my project, and how long will it take to install?

We schedule our projects based on the order that we receive signed contracts.  Depending on the time of the year, and our current work load, it may take two to eight weeks from the initial consultation to the project starting. Depending on the size and scope of your project, it could take one or two days, or as long as several weeks to complete.  Our designer will go over scheduling and time frames during the initial consultation.

When are payments required, and what types of payments are accepted?

Your payment requirements will be clearly defined in your contract terms.  As a generally rule, we require a 50% down payment prior to the start of the project if the total project is less than $15,000.  If your project is over $15,000 we ask for 1/3 down payment, and a 1/3 progress payment at the midway point of the project.  The final balance will be required upon completion of the project.  We accept Check and VISA/MASTERCARD payments.

Can I complete portions of the project myself?

Yes, we complete many projects where we will install a portion of the project, and the homeowner will install parts of the project themselves.  Often, we will complete the heavy lifting, and the homeowner will install the plants, or the landscape mulch. During the design and estimating phase we can discuss what options you have as a DIY homeowner.

Do you provide a warranty?

Yes, we provide an industry leading warranty on all aspects of out projects.  Please see our warranty page for detailed information on our warranty.

What areas do you serve?

McDonough Landscaping, Inc. is located in Maplewood, MN, and we are glad to service customers throughout the entire Twin Cities Metro as well as the surrounding communities, including Hastings, Apple Valley, Stillwater, Woodbury, Lake Elmo, Afton, Cottage Grove, Maplewood, Oakdale, Inver Grove Heights, Eagan, and even western Wisconsin.

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