Tips for Choosing the Right Landscaping Company

A backyard remodel is one of the biggest upgrades you can make to your home—so choosing the right partner matters. A skilled landscaping team will guide you through planning, designing, and building an outdoor space that matches your lifestyle and performs beautifully in Minnesota’s climate. Here’s how to find the company that can bring your vision to life.

What should you look for in a design-build landscaping company?

Start with the approach. A strong design-build contractor handles everything from early concepts to the final walkthrough. That means planning, engineering, materials, timelines, and crews. You should feel like you’re working with a company that can take your vision and manage the full build from start to finish.

Why local expertise matters for outdoor construction

Minnesota yards face heavy snow, frost depth, spring melt, and big swings in temperature. Soil conditions change from block to block. A local design-build company understands how to plan drainage, choose materials, and engineer structures that stay safe and stable. Local knowledge directly affects the long-term success of your outdoor space.

How do you know if a landscaping company can handle your outdoor remodel?

Ask about experience with large backyard transformations

Patios, kitchens, fire features, pools, pavilions, and full yard redesigns all require planning and technical skill. Ask to see completed projects that match your goals.

Look at recent design-build projects

A company that stays active and busy will have fresh work to show. Look for galleries, social posts, or job site photos to get a sense of their style and build quality.

Check how they design for Minnesota’s freeze and thaw cycle

Our climate can shift fast. Materials expand and contract. Water needs somewhere to go. A skilled outdoor builder knows how to engineer patios, footings, drainage, and structures so they stay level and strong year after year.

Related Content: How to Add Value to Your Home's Landscaping

What credentials matter for outdoor remodel contractors?

Licensing, insurance, and certifications

This protects your home and the work being done. Don’t skip this step. Start by asking your prospective landscaping company what state(s) they’re licensed to work in.

Years in business and local references

Long-term stability shows that a company knows how to navigate codes, soil types, weather, and local suppliers. Local references give you real feedback from people who built projects similar to yours.

Online reviews, design portfolios, and social proof

Photos, case studies, and reviews help you see how the company works and how clients feel about the final result.

How do you compare design-build quotes?

Clear scope and deliverables

Every part of the project should be explained. That includes materials, labor, site prep, and any required permits.

Transparent pricing with no surprises

A detailed estimate helps you understand cost and timeline. If something’s unclear, ask. A good company will walk you through it.

Project timelines and how they manage changes

Outdoor remodels move through stages. Ask who manages the schedule, how delays are handled, and how they communicate updates.

What communication signs show you’re working with the right partner?

When you start engaging with a landscaper for your project, look for these signs:

How quickly they respond - Fast, helpful replies are a sign of strong project management.
Who manages your project - You should know the person who guides your job. If your point of contact changes often, that can be a red flag.
How they handle delays or change requests - Clear communication builds trust. A company should explain how changes are priced, how approvals work, and what happens if weather impacts progress.

A landscaping project only works when the communication is steady and clear. If the early conversations feel rushed, confusing, or unreliable, that pattern usually continues once the build starts. Trust your instincts and choose a team that keeps you informed from day one.

Checklist: Questions to ask before you hire a design-build landscaper

When you’re vetting a potential partner, run through this quick checklist of questions to make sure you’re not skipping any important questions:

Can you show me projects similar to mine?
What materials do you recommend for my site?
How do you design for freeze and thaw cycles?
Who’ll be my main point of contact?
What’s included in the quote?
What’s not included?
How do you handle changes during the project?
How long have you worked in Minnesota?
How do you manage drainage and grading?

The right landscaper won’t rush your questions. They’ll welcome them, because solid planning leads to better builds.

A backyard remodel should feel exciting, not stressful. When you know what to look for and which questions to ask, it’s much easier to spot the companies that plan well, build well, and communicate well. The goal is to find a partner who listens, understands your vision, and knows how to bring it to life in a Minnesota climate. With the right team, the process feels smoother and the finished space feels like it was always meant to be there.

Work With a Local Team That Specializes in Full Outdoor Transformations

Outdoor Innovations has been building custom outdoor spaces across Minnesota and Western Wisconsin since 2007. From the first design sketch to the final stone set in place, our team brings the skill, creativity, and local knowledge your project needs. If you’re ready to remodel your backyard, we’re here to help you get started.

Outdoor Innovations Landscaping creates elevated backyards for homeowners in Minnesota. From in-ground pools to luxurious grilling stations to outdoor living rooms, we do it all. Explore our past projects and get a quote online to make your dream backyard a reality.