Frequently Asked Questions

Great Outdoors handles the full range of lawn and landscape work, from outdoor living design-build projects to ongoing lawn care and seasonal snow management. Our work spans landscape design, paver patios and walkways, retaining walls, fire features, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, lighting, ponds, and plantings, along with mowing, fertilization, tree and shrub care, cleanups, and snow removal. Because we design, build, and maintain landscapes, one team can support your property year-round.

Great Outdoors offers landscape design and installation, full-service lawn care and maintenance, and snow and ice management for residential and commercial properties. On the design-build side that includes landscape design, paver patios and walkways, retaining and seating walls, fire features, outdoor kitchens, pergolas, outdoor lighting, ponds and water features, drainage solutions, and plantings. On the care side that includes mowing, fertilization and weed control, aeration and lawn renovation, tree and shrub care, mulching, fine gardening, leaf removal, and seasonal cleanups.

Great Outdoors is best suited to homeowners and businesses that want professional, ongoing care or a thoughtfully designed and built outdoor space. We focus on full-service lawn care programs, landscape design and installation, and grounds and snow management rather than one-off odd jobs. Clients who value consistent, quality service and a long-term relationship are where we do our best work.

Great Outdoors serves Ann Arbor and the surrounding Washtenaw County and Southern Livingston County communities, including Scio, Lodi, Dexter, Saline, Chelsea, Pittsfield Township, Webster Township, Ann Arbor Township, Hamburg Township, Pinckney, Brighton, and nearby Michigan areas. Our team works across the region from our Ann Arbor base. If you are nearby and unsure whether you are in our service area, reach out and we will confirm.

Great Outdoors is a full-service design-build company, which means the same team designs your outdoor space and constructs it. This keeps your vision consistent from the first concept through the finished installation, with one team accountable the whole way. It also means we can continue caring for the landscape after it is built.

After you reach out, the first step is a consultation where we learn about your property, your goals, and how you use the space. From there, we recommend the right services or develop a custom design, then provide clear pricing before any work begins. Once you approve the plan, we schedule the work and keep you informed throughout.

For landscape design and installation projects, Great Outdoors develops a custom design before construction begins, planning how plantings, hardscape, and features work together. Seeing the design first gives you a clear picture of the finished space and the scope before work starts. Construction begins once the plan and pricing are approved.

Larger landscape projects can be planned and built in phases that fit your budget and timeline. Great Outdoors designs the full vision first, then sequences the work so each phase stands on its own and builds toward the complete space. Many clients start with one area and continue adding features over time.

Great Outdoors keeps clients informed with clear communication from the first consultation through completion, including a defined plan, pricing, and updates as work progresses. You always know what to expect and who to reach. Responsiveness and reliability are a core part of how we work and a frequent theme in our client reviews.

Great Outdoors sends professional, knowledgeable crews who are trained to deliver consistent quality, and clients regularly note the same reliable team members on their properties. Our crews are equipped with state-of-the-art, all-battery-powered equipment and held to high standards of workmanship. Knowing experienced, professional people are caring for your property is part of the experience.

Great Outdoors operates the first all-battery-powered crew in the Ann Arbor area, from the Ford Lightning truck to the mowers, trimmers, edgers, and blowers. This means quieter, cleaner service that prioritizes the environment, and we offer organic options for lawn care as well. That forward-thinking approach reflects how the company operates across every service.

Great Outdoors builds with Michigan's seasons and freeze-thaw cycles in mind, from properly prepared bases under hardscape to plant selection suited to local conditions. Patios, walls, and features are constructed to stay stable and durable through the region's weather. Building for the climate is what keeps a finished landscape holding up year after year.

Great Outdoors uses high-end materials selected for durability and appearance in our climate, including quality pavers, natural stone, and weather-resistant surfaces for outdoor kitchens and features. Specific materials are chosen during design to fit your project's look, structural needs, and budget. We review the options with you so the selections match your space.

Outdoor living features built by Great Outdoors are designed to last for many years with proper care, with elements like outdoor kitchens often lasting 10 to 20 years or more depending on materials and upkeep. We build on durable foundations and use weather-resistant materials suited to Michigan, then walk you through care and winterization. Doing it right from the start is what protects your investment.

Organic and sustainable lawn care options are available at Great Outdoors for homeowners focused on lawn health and the environment. Combined with our all-battery-powered equipment, this gives you a cleaner, more sustainable approach to lawn care. We can build organic options into a customized program for your property.

Pricing is determined by the scope of work, the services included, and the specifics of your property, whether that is a design-build project, a lawn care program, or snow management. For lawn care and fertilization, cost depends on factors like lawn size, treatment type, and frequency; for snow, on driveway or lot size, snowfall, and service frequency. Great Outdoors provides clear, customized pricing before work begins.

Lawn care at Great Outdoors is structured as season-long programs and packages rather than one-off visits, since consistent, timed service is what keeps a lawn healthy. We build a package around your property's needs and schedule regular appointments through the growing season. This approach produces a healthier, more vibrant lawn over time.

Getting started mainly requires your goals for the property and access to walk the space during a consultation. From there, our team handles the recommendations, design, and planning. The more you can share about how you want to use the space or what your lawn needs, the better we can tailor the plan.

Moving forward starts with scheduling a consultation, where we learn about your property and your goals. After we recommend the right services or present a design and pricing, and you approve it, we schedule the work and keep you informed through completion. From there, ongoing care keeps your landscape or lawn looking its best.

Ongoing maintenance is available through Great Outdoors after installation, covering lawn care, plant health, mulching, cleanups, and more. The same team that designed and built your space can keep it healthy and looking its best. Continuing care protects the investment you made in your property.

Maintenance and lawn care services are available whether or not Great Outdoors originally designed or installed the landscape. We review your property first to understand what it needs, then recommend the right program. Our maintenance plans are built around the health and appearance of your specific lawn and landscape.

Ongoing care protects the lawn, plantings, and features you invested in by keeping them healthy, clean, and well-maintained through the seasons. Regular, timed service prevents small issues from becoming larger ones and keeps the property looking its best year-round. Consistent care is what maintains the results long after a project is finished.

Snow and ice management at Great Outdoors covers both residential driveways and commercial properties, keeping surfaces safe and clear through Michigan winters. Our team is equipped with a fleet of plows and ready to respond at the first sign of harsh weather. Reliable, timely service is what keeps your family or business safe all season.

Snow removal pricing depends on factors like the size of your driveway or lot, the amount of snowfall, and how often service is needed. Great Outdoors offers both seasonal contracts and per-visit options so you can choose what fits your property. We provide a customized quote based on your specific needs.