ColoradoScape Estimate Prep Checklist for Denver Metro Yards

Short answer: prepare the estimate before choosing materials

Before deciding on rock, mulch, drought-tolerant plants, artificial turf, or replacement sod, document what the yard has now and what you want to change. A clean estimate request should show the current lawn condition, the areas to keep, the areas to remove or redesign, visible sprinkler heads, access points, and the reason for the project. That lets Pro Yard Landscaping review the request without guessing from one close-up photo.

Confirm your city and water provider first

Denver, Arvada, Lakewood, Westminster, Broomfield, Aurora, Littleton, Wheat Ridge, Thornton, Boulder, Louisville, and nearby metro cities may have different water rules, documentation needs, deadlines, and lawn replacement or ColoradoScape-style program details. Pro Yard content should help homeowners prepare for the estimate, but homeowners should verify current provider requirements directly before assuming eligibility, approval, reimbursement, or specific water savings.

Measure lawn areas and separate yard zones

Break the property into practical zones: front yard, back yard, parkway strips, side yards, hot exposed strips, shady corners, useful lawn, failing grass, slopes, existing beds, and areas around trees. Rough square footage, length and width notes, and priority rankings help compare whether each zone should become mulch, rock, drought-tolerant planting, artificial turf, repaired sod, drainage work, or a simpler cleanup.

Photograph what should stay and what should change

Take wide photos from each corner of the yard plus close-ups of failing grass, weeds, sprinkler heads, controller boxes, downspouts, low spots, plants to keep, gates, steps, material piles, and narrow access paths. If pets or children use the yard, include that context so material, drainage, cleanup, and timing questions are not missed.

Review irrigation before covering heads or changing lawn areas

Grass removal and waterwise landscaping can expose sprinkler issues that should be addressed before rock, mulch, turf, sod, or plants go in. Note zone count, controller location, visible heads, overspray, dry spots, runoff, leaks, drip lines, capped heads, smart controller settings, rain sensor questions, and whether a sprinkler audit or head adjustment should happen before installation.

Compare materials without overpromising

Mulch, rock, drought-tolerant plants, artificial turf, sod repair, edging, weed barrier, soil prep, and haul-away each solve different problems. No material should be described as permanent weed prevention, guaranteed low maintenance, universally pet-safe, or automatically rebate-approved. A stronger plan matches materials to sun, slope, drainage, access, budget, appearance, and future maintenance expectations.

Look for drainage and grading clues early

Low-water landscaping still needs good water movement. Photograph soggy areas, erosion, downspout discharge, low spots, compacted soil, runoff from slopes, and places where sprinkler water collects. A French or underground drain, downspout extension, soil correction, or regrading review may need to be considered before new materials hide the problem.

What to send for a free estimate request

Send city and water provider if known, wide and close-up photos, rough measurements, plants to keep, material preferences, access and gate-width notes, pets or children using the yard, timeline, budget priorities, irrigation symptoms, drainage concerns, cleanup or haul-away needs, and any program paperwork questions you are researching. The AI planner can organize those details before you book.

Helpful Denver landscaping resources

Water-efficient landscaping FAQ