Cleanup Program FAQs

Cleanup Program FAQs

Why the “A Cut Above” Cleanup Program?

Our Cleanup Program ensures that your mulch beds maintain a pristine appearance all year round, exceeding expectations in every way. By opting for this comprehensive approach, you not only enhance the visual appeal of your mulch and flower beds but also promote their overall health. Compared to the cost of multiple one-time cleanups, our program offers significant savings and convenience. In addition to three annual cleanups and five landscaping maintenance visits in between, we also provide the option to add Spring and Fall Mulching to the package. This alternative approach ensures that your mulch beds remain in optimal condition, allowing you to avoid the higher costs associated with overgrowth typically found in one-time cleanups. By choosing our annual program, you'll enjoy long-term savings while maintaining the beauty of your outdoor space.

What does the Cleanup Program include?

The Cleanup Program is designed to keep your property looking A Cut Above throughout the entire year. Below is our proven process for managing the long-term beautification of your landscape.
  • Winter Cleanup: Typically performed during January/February, the winter cleanup is intended to give the property a “once-over” to gather organic debris that accumulates on the property during the winter months. No mulch is applied during this visit. 
  • Spring Cleanup: This opens your lawn/landscape up from a cold winter. A Cut Above weeds, re-edges existing flower beds, trims shrubs/ hedges, applies pre and post emergent for weed control, and cleans up leaves and small debris. 
  • Spring Mulch Application (optional): Our goal is to install between 1″-2″ of fresh mulch during our spring and fall mulch applications. 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).
  • 5 Landscaping Maintenance Visits: These occur in-between our scheduled spring and fall cleanups. The crews address any weeding/edging/trimming needs, as well as gathering smaller loose debris on the property. We do not apply mulch during these visits.
  • Fall Cleanup: During the fall months and includes all the services as the spring cleanup, minus leaf removal and pre-emergent. 
  • Fall Mulch Application (optional)

*Leaf Removal is in November/December and is an available add-on to the program

What's the schedule of the program?

See our estimated schedule below:
  1. Winter Cleanup: Jan-Feb
  2. Spring Cleanup: March-April
  3. Spring Mulch Application: April-May
  4. LMV: May
  5. LMV: June
  6. LMV: July
  7. LMV: August
  8. LMV: September
  9. Fall Cleanup: Sept-Oct
  10. Fall Mulch Application: Sept-Oct
*LMV = Landscaping Maintenance Visit
*These dates are just a guide and we do our best to stick to this schedule, weather permitting. The overall goal is to complete this entire program in one 12 month period.

How long after signup will services begin?

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

Does the program include leaf removal?

Leaf removal is not part of the program but is available as an add-on or on it's own as a one-time purchase. The pricing is discounted when you add-on to the cleanup program vs. buying leaf removal on it's own.

How much mulch is included with the price?

Our goal is to install between 1″-2″ of fresh mulch during our spring and fall mulch applications. 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).

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 visits?

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 trimming is performed during your spring and fall cleanups because those are the heaviest growth seasons.


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?

Spring 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 A Cleanup?

Mowing is not included with the cleanup program. We can cut the grass during your cleanup, upon request and for an additional $99 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 spring, fall, and one time cleanups?

We offer brown colored mulch standard, and black mulch at an additional charge. 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.

How does billing work?

12 Interest Free Monthly Payments: One flat annual rate split up over 12 monthly payments from signup date. This option allows for better budgeting since it’s a low set amount each month instead of large payments after each service, like you would with our Pay As You Go option. Credit card or ACH on file required.

Prepay: If you pay for the entire year up front you’ll save 5%-10% per year. With this option, you’re set for 12 months from your signup date, and it autorenews until canceled by either party.

*We currently do not pro-rate if/when signing up in the middle of the season. Both options are for 12 months from the signup date.
*Credit card or ACH on file required for annual programs

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. Mulch is a recommended addon but not standard with the program.


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