Landscaping happens at the end, when the schedule is tight and everyone wants to leave. Coordinating it early avoids damage, delays and dead plants.
In this article
Why it matters
Landscaping is the first impression of the finished project. Dead plants or damaged lawns at turnover hurt the whole job.
Plan early
Grading, drainage and irrigation sleeves under sidewalks and paving must be installed before concrete.
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Planting seasons
Some plants should not go in during extreme heat or frost. Schedule around it.
Heavy equipment out first
Plant after trucks and lifts leave, or protect the planted areas.
Irrigation
Coordinate water and power for controllers with the plumber and electrician.
Soil
Construction soil is compacted and full of debris. Plan for soil preparation.
Protection
Protect new planting until turnover, especially from final cleanup crews.
Warranty
Plant warranties often require watering. Define who waters until the owner takes over.
Getting started
At the next pre-construction meeting, add irrigation sleeves and planting dates to the schedule with the landscaper present.
Common mistakes
Forgetting sleeves, planting before equipment leaves and no watering plan.
Example
On a medical office project, the contractor forgot irrigation sleeves under the new sidewalk. Cutting the concrete later cost more than the sleeves would have. On the next job, sleeves and planting dates went into the schedule at the preconstruction meeting.
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Frequently asked questions
When should landscaping start on a construction project?
Planning starts early, with grading and irrigation sleeves under paving, but planting usually happens near the end, after heavy equipment leaves and when the season allows.