How We Protect Your Landscaping During Exterior Remodeling

How We Protect Your Landscaping During Exterior Remodeling

As Florida homeowners invest in exterior remodeling projects like siding replacement, gutter installation, or deck construction, one concern often rises to the top: “What will happen to my landscape?” It’s a valid question. After all, you’ve likely invested significant time and money into creating beautiful outdoor spaces around your home.

At A&E Remodeling, we understand that your property’s exterior encompasses both your home’s structure and the carefully cultivated landscape surrounding it. Since 1995, we’ve been protecting Tampa Bay homes—and their gardens—through our comprehensive approach to exterior projects.

Why Landscape Protection Matters in Florida’s Unique Environment

Florida’s climate creates perfect conditions for lush, vibrant landscape features. However, this same environment presents specific challenges during exterior remodeling:

• Delicate tropical plants that can be easily damaged when construction crews work near them
• Sandy soils that are prone to compact when heavy machinery is used
• Irrigation lines that may be hidden just below the surface
• Established palms and mature trees that represent years of growth and significant investment
• Decorative hardscaping elements like pavers, water features, and stone borders

Without proper protection, even a relatively simple construction project can inadvertently damage these valuable landscape elements. The good news? With the right planning and expertise, your home’s landscaping can emerge from your remodeling process completely unscathed.

Our 7-Step Landscape Protection System for Exterior Projects

Unlike contractors who treat landscape protection as an afterthought, A&E Remodeling has developed a systematic approach specifically designed for Florida properties:

1. Comprehensive Pre-Project Documentation and Assessment

Before any work begins, our team conducts a thorough documentation of your existing landscape:

• Detailed photographs of all plantings, hardscaping, and lawn areas
• Mapping of irrigation lines and landscape lighting
• Identification of particularly valuable or sensitive plants
• Assessment of tree health and consultation with a certified arborist when needed
• Documentation of any pre-existing landscape issues

This careful inventory serves multiple purposes: it helps us develop a tailored protection plan, provides a reference point for post-project verification, and gives both you and our team peace of mind.

2. Strategic Project Staging and Access Planning

The path our construction crew takes through your property can significantly impact your landscape. We carefully plan:

• Designated access routes that minimize impact on planted areas
• Strategic material staging locations away from trees and shrubs
• Equipment positioning that avoids tree roots and irrigation lines
• Temporary walkways using lawn protection mats to prevent soil compaction

For projects like siding replacement in St. Petersburg, where we might need to access all sides of your home, this careful planning becomes even more crucial to protect your valuable trees and landscaping during a remodel.

3. Professional Protection Systems Installation

Once we’ve planned our approach, we install physical protection systems tailored to your specific landscape:

• Temporary fencing and caution tape to clearly delineate protected zones
• Heavy-duty ground protection mats that distribute weight while allowing water and air to reach the soil beneath
• Tree protection measures including trunk guards to prevent damage to trees during construction
• Sheets of plywood strategically placed to protect lawn areas from heavy machinery
• Specialized coverings for sensitive plants that provide protection while allowing light and air circulation
• Irrigation flag markers to prevent damage to sprinkler heads and lines
• Layer of mulch around sensitive areas to provide additional cushioning and moisture retention

4. Daily Clean-Up Protocol to Prevent Landscape Damage

Unlike contractors who let debris accumulate until the project is completed, our teams follow a strict daily clean-up protocol:

• End-of-day debris removal from all landscaped areas and flower beds
• Magnetic sweeping to collect any nails or metal fragments that could cause damage to lawn equipment
• Inspection of protection systems to ensure they remain properly positioned
• Verification that irrigation systems remain functional if needed for landscape maintenance
• Removal of any materials that could leach into soil overnight and damage trees or shrubs

This daily attention prevents cumulative damage and ensures your landscape isn’t subjected to extended periods without proper light or air circulation.

5. Specialized Techniques for Florida’s Climate Challenges

Florida’s unique climate requires specific adaptations to our protection approach:

• Monitoring soil moisture levels during dry periods to prevent stress to plants
• Temporary tarps or shade structures for sun-sensitive plants to prevent sunscald
• Adjusting work schedules around heavy rain forecasts to prevent erosion issues
• Heat-reflective coverings during summer months to protect sensitive plants
• Ventilation systems under protective coverings to prevent humidity-related fungal issues
• Proper pruning techniques when necessary to safely work near trees without causing damage

Our deep understanding of Florida’s climate conditions allows us to anticipate and prevent landscape issues that contractors from other regions might miss during construction and landscaping projects.

6. Professional Landscape Restoration

Even with the best practices in place, some minor landscape impact may be unavoidable during major renovation projects. Our process includes:

• Soil decompaction in areas where heavy equipment was necessary to prevent damage to soil structure
• Proper repositioning of any plants that needed to be temporarily moved
• Mulch refreshing in beds that may have been disturbed
• Irrigation system testing to ensure all components function correctly
• Lawn area repair if any sections were affected by heavy objects
• Replanting options for any plants that couldn’t be saved
• Treatment for any broken branches or limbs on trees to promote proper healing

These restoration steps ensure your landscape rebounds quickly after your home improvement project is completed.

7. Post-Project Verification and Follow-Up

Our commitment to your landscape doesn’t end when the exterior remodeling is complete:

• Side-by-side comparison with pre-project documentation
• Thorough inspection of all previously identified sensitive areas
• Irrigation system testing to verify proper function and repair any damage to sprinkler heads
• 14-day follow-up to address any delayed landscape issues that might emerge
• Seasonal check-in during our next maintenance visit
• Consultation with an arborist if any tree health concerns arise following construction

This comprehensive approach reflects our builder-level understanding of how all aspects of your property work together as an integrated system.

Protecting Specific Landscape Elements During Exterior Remodeling

Tree Protection During Construction

Trees are often the most valuable elements in your landscape and the most vulnerable to construction damage. Our tree protection plan includes:

• Critical root zone protection to prevent damage to tree roots from heavy machinery
• Avoiding soil compaction within the drip line where many roots grow
• Preventing damage caused by heavy equipment striking trunks or low-hanging branches
• Protecting against removing soil and cutting roots during excavation
• Monitoring for signs of stress that might indicate tree damage
• Working with a certified arborist when construction must occur near particularly valuable trees

When building a deck or other structures near existing trees, we take extra precautions to ensure your trees remain healthy throughout the process and aren’t left stressed after the project.

Lawn Protection During Heavy Equipment Use

Your lawn is particularly vulnerable to damage during exterior renovations. Our approach includes:

• Using plywood boards or specialized lawn protection mats to distribute weight
• Creating designated pathways for repeated traffic
• Avoiding work during extremely wet periods when soil is most likely to compress
• Proper storage of materials to prevent killing grass
• Immediate cleanup of any spills that could damage turf
• Aeration after project completion to address any soil compaction

With these measures, we can prevent the unsightly dead zones and compacted soil that often follow construction projects.

Protecting Flower Beds and Shrubs

The colorful gardens that make Florida homes so beautiful require special attention during construction:

• Temporary fencing to prevent accidental intrusion
• Careful pruning before work begins to reduce the risk of broken branches
• Protection from dust and debris that can clog plant pores
• Maintaining irrigation throughout the project
• Adding a protective layer of mulch during construction
• Covering delicate plants during the most disruptive phases

These precautions ensure your garden continues to thrive even as your home undergoes transformation.

Real Examples: Protecting Tampa Bay Gardens During Exterior Projects

Case Study: Historic Old Northeast Home Siding Replacement

When replacing James Hardie siding on a 1920s home in St. Petersburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood, we faced the challenge of protecting century-old oak trees and established azalea gardens. Our landscape construction solution included:

• Custom-built scaffolding designed to avoid tree roots
• Consultation with a certified arborist before construction begins
• Specialized tree protection during debris removal
• Temporary irrigation modifications to maintain plant health
• Daily pH testing of soil to detect any material leaching

The result? A beautifully restored exterior with zero impact on the property’s historic landscape elements.

Case Study: Waterfront Deck Installation in Treasure Island

A deck construction project on a waterfront property in Treasure Island presented unique challenges with sensitive native coastal plants and sandy soil that could easily compact. Our approach included:

• Elevated walkways to prevent soil compaction
• Desalination stations for tools and machinery to prevent salt transfer to plants
• Protective barriers against salt spray for inland plants temporarily exposed by construction
• Coordination with local environmental specialists to protect shoreline vegetation
• Special attention to potential hazards like overhead power lines and irrigation lines

The completed deck beautifully integrated with the existing landscape, which remained completely protected throughout the renovation process.

Why A&E Remodeling’s Approach Makes the Difference

As a licensed building contractor (CBC031923 & CGC1504594) with over 25 years of experience in Florida’s unique environment, A&E Remodeling brings a comprehensive understanding to your exterior project. Unlike companies that focus solely on the building components, our builder-level knowledge means we understand your property as a complete system—structure, landscape, and environment working together.

This integrated approach to construction and landscaping has earned us the trust of homeowners across St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and surrounding communities. When you choose A&E Remodeling for your exterior transformation, you’re not just protecting your home—you’re ensuring your entire landscape emerges from the project better than before.

Ready to Transform Your Home While Protecting Your Landscape?

If you’re considering an exterior remodeling project but have concerns about protecting your valuable landscaping during a remodel, we invite you to experience the A&E difference. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation where we’ll discuss not just your home’s exterior needs but also our comprehensive approach to protecting every aspect of your property.

Our team is ready to answer your questions about landscaping during a remodel and provide the peace of mind that comes from working with true Florida exterior specialists who care about your entire property—from roof to roots.

Schedule Your Free Consultation or call us at (727) 329-8107 to learn more about our landscape protection systems and exterior remodeling services.