One Time Cleanup FAQs

One Time Cleanup FAQs

What's included with a One Time Cleanup?

Weeding and re-edging of existing flower beds, trimming of shrubs/hedges, fresh mulch applied, leaf/small debris removal (pre-emergent herbicide is applied to flower beds before mulching during spring time only).
*Available with or without mulch

How long after signup will services begin?

It’s our goal to complete your cleanup service within 1-2 weeks of signup, weather permitting

How much mulch is included with the price?

Our goal is to install between 1″-2″ of fresh mulch during our cleanups. If you go too deep with the mulch it can damage the plant material, and if it’s too thin it won’t provide enough protection. 1″-2″ is generally accepted as standard for our area (See the USDA Plant Hardiness Map).

One Time Cleanups include a certain amount of freshly installed mulch per your property size. If your property needs more than the allotted amount we charge $40 per additional cubic yard of mulch installed during the cleanup and will be billed upon completion of the service.

Please see allotted amounts below:

  1. Under 1/8 Acre Property: 5 cubic yards
  2. 1/8th Acre Property: 6 cubic yards
  3. 1/4 Acre Property: 7 cubic yards
  4. 3/8 Acre Property: 8 cubic yards
  5. 1/2 Acre Property: 9 cubic yards

Do you trim the shrubs & hedges during your visit?

Yes, we trim all shrubs and hedges less than 12' tall. Please note that certain plants should not be trimmed prior to bloom and the crew will determine on-site if any are to be skipped.


Most Common Plants Trimmed During Spring
Long Stem Roses, Sedum, Beautyberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coneflower, Laurels, Boxwoods, Aster, Astilbe, Coral bells, Bleeding-heart, Lambs-ear, Lavender, Russian sage, Euonymus, Gold Mop Cypress, Gold Dust Aucuba, Liriope, and Ornamental Grasses.

Most Common Plants Trimmed During Summer
Azalea, Lilac, Forsythia, Laurels, Hollies, and Boxwoods.

Most Common Plants Trimmed During Fall
Iris, Bee Balm, Phlox, Lilies, Catmint, Daylily, Peony, Salvia, Yarrow, Hostas, Astilbe, Ornamental Grasses, and Liriope.

Most Common Plants Trimmed During Winter
Yew, Holly, Boxwood, Spruce, Abelia, Azalea, Butterfly Bush, Crape Myrtle, Hydrangea, Rose.

Typically NOT Trimmed in winter or early spring (any plants with spring blooms)
Rose of Sharon, Crape Myrtle, Hibiscus, Butterfly Bush, Hydrangeas, Lilac, Forsythia, Azalea, Rhododendron

Do you trim the trees on the property too?

Tree trimming is not included with our cleanup services. Small tree work can be performed at an additional fee and upon request only. For larger tree work we can refer you to a tree contractor.

What type of of weed control products are used during the service?

During the spring months, cleanups include a pre-emergent herbicide before applying mulch: SureGuard SC Herbicide. During bed weeding we try and hand pull as many weeds as possible. We may also use Finalsan Herbicide to treat weeds. It's our goal to use as little synthetic chemicals when servicing lawn/landscapes.

Do You Need To Be Home For The Service?

You don't need to be home for the services to be performed. That's what's great about the service notifications we have in place here at A Cut Above. You'll receive an email notification before and after we perform each service, so you'll know when we're coming.

Do you mow the grass during the service?

Mowing is available as an add-on for an additional $50 charge.

Do you remove existing mulch before installing fresh mulch?

Most properties do not need to have the existing mulch removed before applying a fresh layer. Over time mulch levels break down and the new mulch is essentially replacing the lost existing mulch levels. Removal of existing mulch is not included with your pricing but is available upon request for an additional charge. 

Do you install weed blocker fabric before installing mulch?

Installation of weed blocker fabric is not included because the only real solution to recurring weeds is more maintenance visits, and that's why we created the Cleanup Program. If the customer wishes to provide the weed blocker fabric we can install during the cleanup upon request and for an additional charge.

What color mulch is used during your One Time Cleanups?

We offer brown colored mulch standard, but black mulch is also available at an additional cost. All of our mulch keeps its color longer due to the high quality colorant that our suppliers use. It’s both non-toxic and environmentally safe. It’s shipped straight from WV to our shop.  Also, existing bed edges are re-edged to a depth of 2-3″, which has been proven to be the best depth for water drainage and appearance. 
*We also offer One Time Cleanups with No Mulch as an option

How does billing work?

Full payment for one time services that are priced under $2,000 is due at signup because we need to collect money up front to reserve your spot on the schedule and to secure materials for the work.

How do scheduling notifications work?

As we approach each upcoming service it's our goal to give you as much heads up as possible before we arrive. It's our goal to give you at least 1 week's notice via email notification. You'll also receive a post service email notification upon the crew wrapping up the route for the day of each visit. Aside from the email notifications, you can use our client portal to view your past and upcoming job info.

Do I need to prepare the service area before each visit?

Please remove toys/hoses/etc. from the service area before each visit (A Cut Above is not responsible for damage to any man made object left in the service areas prior to service). Our crew leaders inspect the services areas before each visit but we really appreciate your help with this. Also, please unlock any gates on the property so our equipment can get through.

What's not included with the program?

Tree trimming, trimming shrub & hedges over 12' tall, tree or stump removal, or leaf removal.


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