How it works

Simple process.
No surprises.

We've kept it to three steps because that's all it takes. A quick call, a free site visit, and for most projects we're ready to build. For more complex or multi-service projects, a design phase gets added — we'll always tell you upfront. Jacob leads every install personally. Haven is your point of contact from the first conversation through the final walkthrough — every single time.

The process

Three steps. That's it.

01
Step one
Call or text us

Haven will pick up or call you back quickly. This first conversation is about getting to know your project — what you're envisioning, where the property is, and roughly what your budget looks like. We ask about budget early, not to squeeze every dollar out of you, but because it genuinely changes what we recommend. There's no point falling in love with a Unilock Town Hall patio if the budget is better suited for something equally beautiful from RCP.

If the scope and budget feel like a good fit, we'll schedule a site visit. If it doesn't seem like a match — if the project is below our minimum or outside our service area — we'll tell you that honestly on the call rather than waste your time.

No commitment required. The first call is just a conversation. We're figuring out if we're the right fit for each other — nothing more.
02
Step two
Free site visit & ballpark

Jacob or Haven comes out to walk the property. We look at grades, drainage, site access, existing conditions, and anything else that affects the design or cost. This visit is free and no obligation — it's how we get accurate information before putting numbers together.

By the end of the site visit, you'll have a realistic ballpark range for your project. Not a vague "it depends" — an actual number to plan around. If there are complicating factors (like engineering requirements for a retaining wall, or challenging site access for a boulder delivery), we'll flag those clearly before you've committed to anything.

We bring this up at the site visit: for retaining walls over a certain height or with significant load above them, a licensed structural engineer may be required. Engineering through our relationship typically runs $1,500–$2,000, paid directly to the engineer — not us. We never mark it up.
03
Step three
Design deposit, proposal & build

For larger design-build projects — landscape design, complex multi-element installs, or anything requiring significant design work from Haven — a design deposit of $500+ kicks off the formal process. The deposit reflects Haven's time developing your design, sourcing materials, and preparing a detailed proposal. If you move forward with Heritage Outdoors, it applies directly to your project. If you decide not to proceed, you keep the design.

For more straightforward hardscape projects — a paver patio, retaining wall, or walkway where the "design" is primarily product selection and layout — we'll move directly to a detailed proposal after the site visit.

Once the proposal is signed, we schedule the build. Jacob leads every install personally. Haven stays your point of contact throughout. We don't hand you off to a crew you've never met — one of us is there from the first call through the final walkthrough, every time.

$5,000 project minimum across all services. This ensures we can show up fully committed, with the right equipment and crew, and do the job properly from start to finish.
Why we do it this way

We've been burned by
not doing it this way.

📞
The discovery call filters early
Before anyone drives anywhere, we have a real conversation about budget and scope. If it's not a fit, we both find out in 10 minutes instead of after a two-hour site visit and a week of design work.
💰
The design deposit protects both sides
We've designed projects that went to someone else who could start sooner or come in cheaper. The design deposit ensures that Haven's time developing your plan is compensated — and that you're serious about moving forward before we invest that time.
🔨
Jacob on every install — no exceptions
We're not a company that sells projects and sends a crew. Jacob is on every job site, every day. That's not a marketing line — it's the reason our work looks the way it does and why customers refer us to their neighbors.
"We treat every project like we're designing and installing a feature in our own backyard — because that's the only standard we know how to work to."
— Jacob & Haven · Heritage Outdoors · Saint Paul, MN
Project minimum

$5,000 minimum. Here's why.

Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum across all hardscape and landscape services. Before a single paver is placed, we've invested time in a discovery call, a free site visit, design work, proposal preparation, equipment mobilization, and scheduling. That's significant overhead — and doing it for a $1,500 job doesn't make sense for either party.

The minimum ensures we show up fully committed: right crew, right equipment, right amount of time. Projects below that threshold tend to get rushed, understaffed, or deprioritized. We'd rather be honest about that upfront than take a job we can't do justice.

If your project is below our minimum, we'll tell you on the first call and point you in the right direction. No hard feelings — we'd rather you find the right fit than hire us for a job that doesn't work for both sides.

Common questions

Process questions we hear often

Does Heritage Outdoors charge for estimates?

The initial discovery call and site visit are free. For larger design-build projects where Haven develops a full design, material plan, and detailed proposal, a design deposit of $500+ is collected. This is applied to your project if you move forward with Heritage Outdoors. If you decide not to proceed, you keep the design.

What is Heritage Outdoors' project minimum?

Heritage Outdoors has a $5,000 project minimum for all hardscape and landscape installs. Between free on-site estimates, equipment mobilization, and scheduling, we invest significant time before a single paver is placed. That minimum ensures we can show up fully committed, with the right equipment and crew, and do the job properly.

Who will I work with at Heritage Outdoors?

Haven handles all discovery calls, design, estimates, scheduling, and communication. Jacob leads every install personally — he is on every job site, every day. One of us is there from the very first phone call through the final walkthrough, every single time.

How long does it take to get a quote?

After your discovery call, we typically schedule a site visit within 1–2 weeks depending on the season. Proposals are usually delivered within a few days of the site visit for straightforward projects. Larger design-build projects with full design plans may take longer depending on complexity.

What happens if I need an engineer for my retaining wall?

We bring this up on the first call — most contractors don't. Depending on wall height and the load above it, a licensed structural engineer may be required. We work closely with an engineer: if you coordinate through Heritage Outdoors, engineering typically runs $1,500–$2,000 paid directly to the engineer, not us. Independent engineering runs around $3,000. We never mark up engineering costs.

Ready to get started?
So are we.

Call or text Haven directly, or submit a request online. We'll get back to you quickly and schedule a discovery call at a time that works for you.