Hiring
How to Choose a Landscaper in the Twin Cities
Key takeaways
- Hire local; Minnesota climate experience matters.
- Ask how they handle freeze-thaw (base depth, footings, drainage).
- Confirm insurance, and that they pull required permits.
- Insist on a written, itemized estimate, not a ballpark.
- Review real local projects, not just stock photos.
Why local experience matters
Minnesota's freeze-thaw climate is unforgiving of shortcuts. Someone who builds here season after season already knows to dig deep, compact a real base, set footings below frost, and design drainage that survives a winter. That know-how is the line between work that lasts 25 years and work that's already failing by year three.
Questions to ask before you hire
- How do you build for Minnesota winters? You want to hear about base depth, frost-depth footings, and drainage.
- Are you insured, and do you pull permits? Retaining walls over 4 feet, decks, and fences usually need them.
- Can I see local projects you've finished? Real Twin Cities work tells you more than a stock photo ever will.
- Will I get a written, itemized estimate? You should know exactly what each dollar is buying.
- Who actually designs the job and runs the crew? At Great Goats, owner Mike Olson designs every project himself.
Red flags to avoid
- Vague ballpark pricing with nothing in writing.
- Skipping or rushing base prep to hit a lower number.
- No proof of insurance, or dodging the permit conversation.
- Pressure to sign today, or big demands for cash upfront.
The Great Goats difference
We're family-owned, Twin Cities born, with 20-plus years of local work behind us — and we publish our numbers up front, from patios to full landscape installs. Meet Mike & the crew or request a free consultation.