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FAQs for Panorama Outdoor Living, Inc. Servicing Across Illinois 

fence contractor near me

FENCE SERVICES

When hiring a fence company, most homeowners' questions fall into three categories: logistics, quality of construction, and legal/safety requirements.

Here is a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions divided by the project stage:

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1. Administrative & Legal (The "Must-Asks")

  • Are you licensed and insured?  

        -yes Panorama Outdoor Living is both licensed, Insurance and bonded.

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  • Who handles the permits? Many reputable companies will pull the permit for you (sometimes for a fee), while others expect the homeowner to handle it.

        -Panorama Outdoor Living will handle everything even the permit process.

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  • Will you call 811 for utility marking? By law, underground lines must be marked before digging. A professional company should handle this call to the utility locator service.

        -Yes by law Panorama Outdoor Living will need to call 811 before any work begins.

  • Do you offer a warranty? Ask for the difference between the manufacturer’s warranty (on the materials) and the workmanship warranty (on the installation labor).

  • Panorama Outdoor Living warranty the gates and workmanship and will honor the warranty.

 

2. Construction & Quality

  • How deep do you set the posts? -In most regions, posts should be at least 3 feet deep (or below the frost line) to prevent leaning or shifting over time.

  • Do you use concrete for every post? -We use a wet-mix concrete for stability, though some specific soil types or fence styles may vary.

  • Do you use sub-contractors or your own crew? Companies with in-house crews often have better quality control than those that outsource the labor to third parties.

         -We use in-house crews to keep a high quality.

  • How do you handle slopes or uneven ground? Ask if they will "stair-step" the panels (leaving gaps at the bottom) or "rack" the fence (following the contour of the ground for a seamless look).

 

3. Material & Maintenance

  • Which material is best for my specific goal? (e.g., "I need privacy," "I need to contain a large dog," or "I want zero maintenance.")

  • What kind of maintenance does this fence require? * Wood: Needs staining/sealing every 2–3 years.

    • Vinyl/Aluminum: Usually only requires an occasional spray with a hose.

  • What type of fasteners do you use? You should look for stainless steel or galvanized nails/screws to prevent "bleeding" or rust streaks down the fence boards.

 

4. Logistics & Timeline

  • What is the current lead time? Ask how far out they are booked and how long the actual installation will take (standard residential jobs usually take 1–3 days).

  • Do I need to be home? Most companies only need you there at the start to confirm the layout and at the end for a final walkthrough.

  • What is the payment schedule? Avoid companies that ask for 100% upfront. A standard practice is a deposit (usually 25–50%) with the balance due upon completion.

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LANDSCAPING | HARDSCAPING | SERVICES

1. Climate & Seasonal Timing

  • When is the best time to start a project in Illinois?

    • Context: Hardscaping (patios/walls) can often begin in early spring (April), but planting is usually best in late spring or early fall to avoid the mid-July heatwaves.

  • How do you handle the "Frost Line" for hardscapes?

    • Why it matters: In Northern Illinois, the frost line is roughly 3.5 to 4 feet deep. If footings for decks or heavy stone walls aren't deep enough, the winter "freeze-thaw" cycle will cause your expensive stone work to heave and crack.

  • What is included in a "Fall Cleanup" versus a "Spring Cleanup"?

    • Context: Fall cleanups in Illinois focus on leaf removal and "winterizing" perennials, while spring cleanups involve mulching, edging, and uncovering plants from snow damage.

 

2. Drainage & Local Regulations

  • Will this project require a drainage permit?

    • Context: Many Illinois municipalities (like Naperville, Elgin, or Schaumburg) have strict rules about "impermeable surfaces." If your new patio exceeds a certain square footage, you may be legally required to install a dry well or rain garden.

  • How will you ensure water doesn't drain into my neighbor's yard?

    • Context: Illinois drainage law generally prohibits "unreasonably" increasing the flow of water onto a neighboring property. Ask about French drains or regrading.

  • Do you handle the JULIE (811) call?

    • Context: This is the service that marks underground utility lines. In Illinois, it is the law to have these marked before any professional digging begins.

 

3. Plant Selection & Maintenance

  • Do you use native Illinois plants?

    • Why it matters: Native plants (like Purple Coneflower or Prairie Dropseed) have deep root systems that survive Illinois droughts and sub-zero winters better than "big box store" varieties.

  • What is your warranty on plants and trees?

    • Industry Standard: Most Illinois landscapers offer a 1-year warranty (one full growing season). Ask if the warranty is void if you don't have an irrigation system.

  • How often should my lawn be aerated?

    • Context: Because of the heavy clay soil in the Midwest, most experts recommend core aeration every fall to prevent soil compaction.

 

4. Design & Logistics

  • Can you provide a 3D rendering of the design?

    • Context: Visualizing how a new outdoor kitchen or fire pit looks against your specific house is much easier with digital modeling than a hand-drawn sketch.

  • Do you use your own crews or subcontractors?​

  • We only use sub-contractors for specialized work. the rest of the process, we use in house crews.

  • Context: In the Chicagoland area, many companies sub out the specialized work (like electrical for outdoor lighting or plumbing for gas lines). You should know who will be on your property.

LAWN MOWING SERVICES

When hiring a lawn care company—especially one like Panorama Outdoor Living that operates in the Illinois climate—homeowners usually focus on the "how and when" of maintenance. Illinois lawns (typically Kentucky Bluegrass or Fescue) require a specific seasonal rhythm to survive the transition from snowy winters to humid 90-degree summers.

Here is a list of frequently asked questions for a professional lawn care service:

 

1. Service Plans & Logistics

  • What is included in your standard lawn care package?

    • Why it matters: You need to know if it's just "mow and go" or if it includes edging, string trimming around obstacles, and blowing clippings off the driveway.

  • How often will you visit my property?

    • Context: Most Illinois companies visit weekly during the peak growing season (May–June) but may move to bi-weekly or "on-call" during July droughts.

  • Do you offer "Fertilization & Weed Control" as a separate or bundled program?

    • Context: A standard professional program usually involves 5 to 6 applications per year, ranging from early spring pre-emergents (for crabgrass) to late fall winterizers.

  • What happens if it rains on my scheduled day?

    • Standard Procedure: Most companies will skip the day and shift the schedule by 24 hours. Professional crews avoid mowing wet grass to prevent soil compaction and "clumping."

 

2. Quality of Care (The "Pro" Difference)

  • At what height do you set your mower blades?

    • The Right Answer: In Illinois, grass should be cut at 3 to 4 inches. Cutting too short (scalping) stresses the lawn and encourages weed growth during hot summer months.

  • How often do you sharpen your mower blades?

    • Why it matters: Dull blades "tear" the grass instead of cutting it, leaving the tips brown and ragged. Top-tier companies sharpen blades daily or every few days.

  • Do you bag the clippings or mulch them?

    • The Pro Tip: Mulching clippings back into the lawn is usually better as it returns nitrogen to the soil, unless the grass has grown excessively long between mows.

 

3. Safety & Environment

  • How long must my kids and pets stay off the lawn after a treatment?

    • Standard Answer: Usually 2 to 4 hours, or until the liquid application has completely dried. Always ask for a physical "flag" to be left in the yard after chemical treatments.

  • Are your technicians licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture?

    • Requirement: In Illinois, anyone applying commercial pesticides or fertilizers must be licensed. This ensures they know the legal limits for runoff protection.

  • Do you offer organic or "pet-friendly" alternatives?

    • Context: Many homeowners now prefer corn gluten-based pre-emergents or organic fertilizers over traditional synthetic chemicals.

4. Specialist Services (The "Add-Ons")

  • When do you recommend aeration and over-seeding?

    • Illinois Specific: The best time for this in the Midwest is late August to September. It allows the new seeds to establish before the first frost without competing with summer weeds.

  • Do you provide Grub Control?

    • Why it matters: Grubs are a major problem in Illinois. Ask if they offer a preventative application in June/July before the larvae begin eating the roots in August.

  • Can you handle "Power Raking" or Dethatching?

    • Context: If your lawn feels "spongy," you might have too much thatch. This is a specialized service usually done in early spring.

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