FAQ
Straight answers
The questions we get most, answered the way we would over text. Anything else, just ask.
The basics
- What areas do you service?
- We are based in Romeo and cover Macomb and Oakland County, including Washington Township, Bruce Township, Armada, Almont, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, and Lake Orion.
- Are you insured?
- Yes. Big Dawgs carries general liability and workers compensation coverage, and we are registered locally. You are never taking on risk by having our crew on your property.
- How do quotes work?
- First we look at your property on satellite or street view and put together an initial price range. Then Zach walks the property in person before we lock in the final number. What we quote is what you pay, no surprises on the day of service.
- How fast can I get an estimate?
- Usually within a few days. Call or text us at (586) 623-9232 with your address and what you need, and we can often give you a ballpark the same day.
- Do you do both one-time projects and weekly service?
- Yes. More than 100 properties get weekly mowing from us through the season, and alongside that we run landscape installation projects, mulch and rock installs, cleanups, and shrub work as one-time jobs.
- Will I get a reminder before you show up?
- Yes. Our scheduling system sends text and email reminders ahead of every visit, and invoices come the same way. No chasing paper.
- Is the same crew coming every time?
- Yes. Zach runs a tight local crew out of Romeo, and he is still on job sites himself, especially the bigger landscape projects.
Landscape Installation
- How does pricing work for a landscape project?
- We start with a look at your property on satellite or street view to rough in a price range, then Zach walks the job with you in person before we lock in the final quote. What we quote is what you pay.
- Do you handle the design too?
- Yes. Most of our projects start as a conversation about what you want the space to do, and we lay out the beds, plantings, and hardscape from there. You approve the plan before we break ground.
- How long does a landscape installation usually take?
- It depends on scope. A bed refresh or mulch-and-planting job is often a day or two. A full backyard with hardscape, plantings, and grading might run a week or more. We give you a realistic timeline when we walk the property, before you commit.
Hardscaping
- How much does a retaining wall or paver patio cost?
- It depends on size, material, and how easy the site is to reach, so we do not throw out blind numbers. We look at your property on satellite first for a ballpark, then Zach walks the job with you in person before the final quote. What we quote is what you pay.
- Pavers or flagstone, what's the difference?
- Pavers are manufactured stone, so they lay in clean uniform patterns and are easier to repair down the road. Flagstone is natural stone with an organic look where no two patios come out the same. Either way it gets a proper compacted base. If you are deciding, we will show you both and price both.
- Can you tie a new patio into plantings and beds?
- That is our favorite kind of job. We handle the full landscape, so the patio, the beds around it, the plantings, and the drainage get designed together instead of bolted on one at a time.
Mulch & Rock Installation
- How much mulch do I need?
- We measure your beds and quote by the yard, spread at a proper 2 to 3 inch depth. You never pay for material you do not need.
- Mulch or rock, which is better?
- Mulch feeds the soil and is cheaper up front but needs a refresh every year or two. Rock costs more on day one and lasts for years. We will give you a straight answer for your beds when we look at the property.
- What's the best time of year to install mulch or rock?
- Spring and fall both work well in Michigan. Spring is the most popular since fresh beds are the first thing people notice, but a fall install protects plant roots heading into winter. We install right through the season.
Bush & Shrub Trimming and Removal
- When is the best time to trim shrubs in Michigan?
- It depends on the plant. Most shrubs take a mid-season shaping fine, while spring bloomers are best trimmed right after they flower. We trim on a schedule that keeps them healthy, not just tidy.
- Can you remove a row of old bushes entirely?
- Yes. We handle full removals all the time, roots included, and can replant the space or convert it to a clean mulched bed.
- How often should bushes and shrubs be trimmed?
- Most shrubs hold their shape with one to two trims a season. Fast growers like privet or burning bush often need a mid-summer touch-up to stay tidy in between.
Lawn Mowing
- Do I need a contract for weekly mowing?
- We keep it simple. You get a set weekly rate for the season and reminders before each visit through our scheduling system. If something changes, talk to Zach.
- What day will you mow my lawn?
- We route by neighborhood so your lawn is cut the same day each week. You will get a text or email reminder ahead of every visit.
- Do you bag or mulch the clippings?
- In most conditions we mulch, which feeds the lawn. When the grass is heavy we double-cut or handle clippings so nothing clumps on the turf.
Lawn Fertilization
- Can I add fertilization to my mowing service?
- Yes, that is the most common way customers run it. One crew already on your property, one less company to deal with.
- How many applications does my lawn need?
- It depends on your soil, sun, and how the lawn has been treated in past seasons. We look at the lawn first and recommend a schedule instead of selling you a one-size package.
- How soon will I see my lawn green up after fertilizing?
- Most lawns show noticeable color within one to two weeks of an application, faster with a bit of rain or warm weather to help it along.
Lawn Aeration
- When should I aerate my lawn in Michigan?
- Early fall is the sweet spot because the grass is actively growing and has weeks to recover before winter. Spring works too. And if your lawn does not actually need it, we will tell you that instead of selling you the service.
- Should I overseed after aerating?
- Usually yes. The open holes are the best seedbed you will ever get, so aeration plus overseeding is the classic one-two for a thin lawn. We book them together in one visit.
- What happens to the plugs?
- We leave them on the lawn. They look rough for a week or two, then break down and feed the turf. Raking them up throws away free topsoil.
Overseeding
- When is the best time to overseed in Michigan?
- Late August through September. Warm soil, cooler nights, and fall rain give seed its best start, and the new grass gets two growing windows before it faces summer heat.
- Do I need aeration with overseeding?
- It is the difference between seed sitting on top of hard ground and seed sitting in real soil contact. If your lawn is compacted, do both in one visit and you will actually see the difference by October.
- How soon can I mow after overseeding?
- Give the new grass a few weeks until it is tall enough to cut. If we already handle your weekly mowing, we manage that timing for you.
Spring & Fall Cleanups
- When should I book a fall cleanup?
- Once most of the leaves are down, usually late October into November around here. Booking early gets you on the route before the first snow threat.
- Do you haul everything away?
- Yes. Leaves, trimmings, and debris leave with us. You are not left with bags at the curb unless you want them there.
- When should I book a spring cleanup?
- As soon as the snow is gone and the ground firms up, usually late March into April around here. Booking early gets beds and lawns reset before everything starts growing.
Snow Removal
- Do you offer seasonal snow contracts?
- Yes, both seasonal and per-push arrangements depending on your driveway and how you want to budget the winter. Ask us before the first snowfall for the best rate.
- How fast do you clear after a storm?
- We run routes as the snow ends and prioritize year-round customers first. Big storms may take more than one pass, and we keep you posted by text.
- How much snow does it take before you plow?
- Typically 2 inches of accumulation triggers a visit, though seasonal customers can set their own threshold with us ahead of winter.
Commercial Lawn Maintenance
- Do you take on HOA and condo associations?
- Yes. We are looking for more HOA and commercial grounds accounts, especially properties that want a reliable crew handling the weekly details and the larger seasonal work without juggling multiple vendors.
- Can you handle more than mowing?
- That is the point. We can build the mowing scope around cleanups, shrub work, mulch, landscape improvements, and commercial snow removal so your property manager has fewer people to chase.
- Where do you offer commercial maintenance?
- We take commercial and HOA opportunities across Macomb and Oakland County. Send the property address and what you need maintained, and Zach will decide if the route and scope are a fit.
Commercial Snow Removal
- Do you offer commercial snow contracts?
- Yes. We scope each lot, access point, walkway, and salt need before winter, then put together either a seasonal agreement or a per-push plan that fits the property.
- Can the same crew handle our summer grounds?
- Yes. Commercial lawn maintenance, HOA grounds care, and snow removal are designed to work together so you have one local company to call through the full Michigan year.
- When should we ask about winter service?
- Before the first real storm. The best time for a site walkthrough and route planning is late summer through fall, before crews and equipment are committed for the season.
Question not on the list?
Text it to us. Real person, real answer, usually within the hour during the workday.