When you start planning a landscaping project in the Twin Cities, the first big question is usually money. LCI Landscapes works with homeowners from White Bear Lake to Forest Lake who ask, “Should I do this in phases or finance the whole thing?”
Both options can work. But if you live in busy neighborhoods near Highway 35E, The Lakes in Lino Lakes, or around downtown Wayzata, doing one financed project often makes more sense for your yard and your life.
What “Phasing” Really Feels Like in Real Life
On paper, breaking your outdoor remodel into phases looks simple. Year one you pour the patio, year two you add the seat wall, year three you finally get the plants and lighting. It spreads out the cost, which sounds nice.
But phasing also means your backyard can feel half finished for several seasons. Kids and pets might lose safe play space, and you may look at piles of dirt or temporary steps every time you let the dog out. That wears on you over time, especially in tight lots.
Why Financing One Full Project Can Cost Less
Here’s the part many people don’t see at first. When LCI Landscapes builds your full design in one shot, crews and equipment come once, materials are ordered together, and everything is planned as one system. That can lower your total project cost compared to hiring work out in pieces.
Financing spreads that single, often lower, project cost into monthly payments that fit your budget. You get the full outdoor living space now, but pay over time, instead of paying more later while living in a half done yard. It’s a tradeoff that often favors financing.
The Hidden Cost of Yard “Downtime”
Think about how much you actually use your backyard. Do your kids play soccer back there? Does your dog need room to run? Do you host grill nights with friends on summer weekends?
Every extra phase adds more weeks when your lawn is torn up or fenced off. That “yard downtime” has a real cost in stress and lost use. One financed project gets the messy part done faster, so you can enjoy your new patio, poolscape, or fire pit sooner and for more seasons.
Planning Smart for Minnesota Weather
In the Twin Cities, you only get so many warm months. If you stretch work out over three summers, you might spend more time watching construction than sitting on your new paver patio. Snow, spring thaw, and city permit timing all add delays when you phase.
When LCI Landscapes plans one full Minnesota landscaping project, the crew can schedule around our short build season and finish more before winter hits. Financed projects let you make the most of each summer instead of losing big chunks of it to ongoing work.
How to Decide What’s Right for Your Yard
During a landscape design consultation, LCI Landscapes can show you what your complete yard could look like, then compare a phased plan to a financed single project. You’ll see real numbers, how long your yard will be “down,” and which option gives your family and pets the fastest path to a finished space.
If you want to explore financing and get more from every Twin Cities summer, reach out to LCI Landscapes today. Our team can help you plan a project that fits your budget, your pets and kids, and the way you really live outside.