About a week or so after the holidays I ran into an acquaintance near my home. He asked what my team and I do to stay busy during what he assumed was the “slow season” in the hardscaping business. His guess was that we don’t have much work when snow and ice on are on the ground.

After 20+ years in this industry I can tell you that’s only half true. While we certainly don’t do a lot of digging and excavation when the ground is frozen (it won’t hold moisture so things could shift later), it’s not quite accurate to say we aren’t busy.

So, do hardscaping contractors near you actually have a slow season? And what do we do during the winter months?

I want to answer both questions in today’s post. Just remember that the answers I’m giving are based on experience in New England. My company, Stefano’s Landscaping, serves homeowners in and around the Saugus, Massachusetts area. Things might be much different in Texas or Florida, but I can tell you about what we do in the Northeast.

Let’s start with one obvious point, which I mentioned in a similar post about fiberglass pool installation.

There are Still Landscaping and Hardscaping Projects in Winter

While we can’t dig up pools and install patios in the winter, we can help with other jobs like snow removal. Depending on the year and the weather, my team and I might be very busy scraping parking lots, walkways, and other residential or commercial zones between November and March.

In other rare instances we could have some bits of touchup or installation that we can handle despite the weather. Not every hardscaping job has to involve digging up ground. There are all kinds of little jobs that can be handled between bouts of bad weather, or even during patches of snow and ice.

If you’re wondering whether we can get started on your project, or possibly even complete it during the winter, all you have to do is call. You may be pleasantly surprised to see that we can work around the elements. Or it might be the case that we do need to wait for warmer weather, but that we can move your job to the top of the waiting list.

That brings me to another very important point.

Customers Will Still be Calling About Hardscaping, Patios, and More

While we certainly don’t do as many hardscaping and patio installation projects during the colder months, that doesn’t mean that we aren’t talking about them constantly. Some of our very best customers happen to be diligent planners. They think months or even seasons ahead of time and contact us when they know we will be less rushed.

Personally, I love this approach because it makes things easier for everyone. My team and I can devote a little bit of extra time to the planning and design process because we aren’t pressed to get to a job site while the weather is good. And the homeowner can take time to deliberate, change options, and even alter their plan or budget if they need to… and all without holding up work on their property.

If you have set a home improvement budget, gotten an early tax return, or are otherwise ready to move forward with your hardscaping project then this could be the ideal time to begin looking ahead. My team and I will be happy to meet with you, give you a quote, and answer your questions without any pressure or obligation.

Even with snow removal, winter projects, and giving quotes for upcoming jobs, we do still have spare hours now and then while the ground is frozen. That brings us to what is probably the most important thing we do when it’s cold.

The Start of the Year is a Good Time to Plan Ahead for Spring and Summer

Running a professional hardscaping company in Massachusetts is hard work. My managers and I are busy most of the year working with customers and staying on top of projects. When we do get a little bit of downtime it’s normally devoted to planning, industry education, and even reviewing our past work.

A snowy morning might be spent plowing. However, we will try to find time in the afternoon to review new products (like pavers and bricks, for example) that have been released by trusted manufacturers. Or we’ll get together and talk about things that we think we could do better in the coming year. We might look at new tools to invest in, along with processes we could handle more efficiently.

In other words, this is our chance to “sharpen the saw” and get better at what we do. We are proud of our portfolio of work, as well as the reviews and referrals we have earned. But we can’t sit still or stop learning. There are too many hardscaping projects ahead of us, and homeowners still to meet.

Thinking About Making Some Changes or Upgrades to Your Property?

In many ways, this is the perfect time of year to start thinking about landscaping and hardscaping projects, particularly if you’re looking to make big changes to your property. By acting during the colder months you can get a quote, consider your options, have all of your permits lined up, and be first on our list when the ground begins to thaw. It’s always smart to beat the rush when you can.

The winter weather will disappear in the blink of an eye, and we will soon be moving full speed again. If you want to do some early planning, then why not speak with a member of the Stefano’s Landscaping team today. We will be happy to visit you at your property, provide you with a quote for the project you’re thinking about, and answer any questions you might have. Even if you aren’t ready to make a decision, it’s the perfect first step.

Don’t spend another year wondering what you could be doing with your backyard. Get in touch today and let’s find a time to meet.