Frequently Asked Questions — Pines Group

General

  • The Pines Group proudly serves homeowners and commercial clients throughout Collingwood, Thornbury, Clarksburg, Blue Mountains, Meaford, Owen Sound, Beaver Valley and surrounding Georgian Bay communities. Our team specializes in landscapes designed specifically for Southern Georgian Bay’s climate, terrain, and architectural styles.

  • The Pines Group is able to help you with every aspect of your project. From concept to completion we are your one stop shop. We handle all aspects of the design and permiting process and have a highly skilled team of landscapers and carpenters to complete every aspect of a project. This means you don’t need to worry about coordinating other trades for non landscape related aspects of your build. Our team goes further than just building outstanding projects. Once your build is complete, our maintenance division is here to ensure your property is well kept and your investment is protected.

  • Yes. The Pines Group offers full residential landscaping services for homes and cottages, as well as commercial properties. Design, build and maintenance for offices, retail properties, and multi-unit developments as well

  • Absolutely. We provide year-round property management, including lawn care, garden maintenance, and seasonal cleanups.

Design & Planning

  • Every project starts with conceptual drawings to ensure Pines Group and our clients are on the same page. Based on the size, complexity and scope of the project, The Pines Group offers professional 3D landscape renderings and detailed design plans so you can visualize your space before construction begins.

    For larger or more complex landscape projects, such as full backyard transformations, outdoor living spaces, or multi-phase builds, 3D renderings help Pines Group and clients better understand layout, materials, elevations, and how the space will function. For smaller or more straightforward projects, a combination of conceptual drawings, material selections, and detailed plans may be sufficient.

    Our goal is to provide the right level of design support for each project, ensuring clarity, alignment, and confidence.

  • A typical Pines Group build-design plan is tailored to the size, scope and complexity of each project, ensuring clients receive the right level of planning, detail and support. Depending on the project, a design-build plan may include:
    - Site analysis and consultation
    - Conceptual and/or 3D design renderings
    - Material selections and finishes
    - Construction drawings and timelines
    - Full project management from start to finish

  • Absolutely! The Pines Group specializes in custom outdoor living spaces, including patios, outdoor kitchens, fire pits, fireplaces, seating areas, landscape lighting and much more.

  • We all have a vision of how we want our dream outdoor space to look and feel, whether it's a place to entertain, unwind, gather with family, or simply enjoy the outdoors more fully. Planning your backyard renovation wtih Pines Group starts with a consultation where we take the time to understand that vision.

    Our team will review your space, listen closely to your ideas, discuss goals, budget and timing, and explore how you want to use your outdoor environment. From there, we translate your ideas into a thoughtful, functional design, bringing clarity, creativity and expertise to the process.

Construction & Hardscaping

  • Depending on the size, materials and site complexity, most patio or retaining wall installations take between 1 and 3 weeks, with more complex builds taking longer.

  • Yes. The Pines Group is highly experienced in building retaining walls that perform in the unique climate and soil conditions of the Georgian Bay area. Proper base preparation, engineered construction methods, and integrated drainage systems are standard in every retaining wall we build.

    We design and install retaining walls with freeze-thaw cycles, water runoff, and long-term stability in mind, ensuring they can withstand seasonal temperature changes, moisture movement, and shifting ground conditions common throughout Collingwood, Thornbury, and surrounding Georgian Bay communities.

  • Yes. The Pines Group can manage complete backyard transformations, including decks, fencing, grading, hardscaping, planting, and all finishing details. We also design and build custom pool houses, cabanas, pools, and specialty structures such as golf simulators, creating outdoor environments that feel intentional, elevated, and built for how you live and entertain.

    When it comes to backyard construction, clients often ask about privacy — especially around pools, cabanas, and outdoor entertaining zones. Our team can design and build custom privacy solutions such as wood, composite, or metal privacy screens; slatted or louvered panels that allow airflow and filtered light; partial-height screens that block key sightlines without closing in the space; and architectural privacy walls seamlessly integrated into patios, seating areas, pool decks, or pool house designs.

    Every element is thoughtfully considered to balance openness, comfort, and privacy, ensuring your backyard feels like a true extension of your home.

Outdoor Living Spaces

  • Yes. We design and build fully customized outdoor kitchens and bar areas tailored to your cooking style, entertaining needs, and space.

  • Yes. We install both wood-burning and gas fire features, designed to integrate seamlessly into your landscape.

  • Absolutely. Structural features like pergolas, decks, and gazebos are often incorporated into our outdoor living designs.

Maintenance & Lawn Care

  • Yes. The Pines Group offers customizable year-round landscaping maintenance plans for both residential and commercial properties. Our services adapt with the seasons to ensure your property remains healthy, safe, and well-maintained all year long.

    Spring services typically focus on revitalization after winter and may include spring cleanups, garden bed preparation, pruning, edging, lawn care start-up, fertilization, and planting.

    Summer maintenance is centred on consistent care and appearance, including weekly lawn care, garden maintenance, irrigation monitoring, pruning, weed control, and ongoing property upkeep.

    Fall services shift toward preparation for winter, such as leaf removal, final lawn treatments, pruning, mulching, garden bed refreshes, and site cleanups to protect plant health and hardscape elements. Fall is also when we begin planning and installing custom Christmas lighting, ensuring properties are ready for the holiday season before winter conditions set in.

    Winter services may include professional Christmas light installation, maintenance, and removal, along with select seasonal property support as required.

    Because every property is different, maintenance plans are tailored based on property size, landscape features, usage, and client priorities, ensuring the right level of care is delivered at the right time of year.

  • Lawn care and maintenance can be tailored to any property. Typically, weekly services include mowing, trimming, edging, debris removal, and general property upkeep.

  • Yes. We offer fertilization, aeration, overseeding, and soil health programs tailored to local growing conditions, and we work closely with a professional fertilizer and weed control partner to coordinate these services seamlessly for our clients.

  • Yes. Our maintenance programs are designed for private homes, commercial properties, and multi-unit developments.

  • You can sign up by contacting our team for a site review and customized maintenance proposal.

Seasonal Services

  • Spring cleanups are best booked in early spring, while fall cleanups should be scheduled late summer to ensure a plan is in place.

  • The Pines Group’s seasonal yard maintenance plans are designed to adapt to both the time of year and the weather conditions within that season. Services may vary depending on temperature, snowfall, rainfall, and overall site conditions to ensure your landscape receives the right care at the right time.

    Seasonal plans may include cleanups, pruning, bed maintenance, mulching, lawn preparation, and other services as needed. Each plan is customized based on the season, the specific needs of the property, and the client’s priorities, allowing for flexibility as conditions change.

    Our goal is to deliver proactive, thoughtful maintenance that supports plant health, protects your investment, and keeps your property looking its best throughout the year.

Pricing, Estimates & Process

  • Yes. Initial consultations and estimates are offered to review scope and determine next steps.

  • The cost of a patio or outdoor living project can vary widely based on several factors, including project size, complexity, and level of customization. Pricing is influenced by square footage and layout complexity, material selection, site conditions, drainage and base requirements, custom features and integrations, design and planning scope, timeline and seasonality.

  • The design-build process depends on project size and complexity. From initial consultation to completion, projects range from several weeks to a few months.

Commercial Services

  • Yes. The Pines Group offers reliable commercial landscaping and maintenance services for offices, retail, and mixed-use properties.

  • Services may include lawn care, garden maintenance, seasonal cleanups, and site inspections. If you’re interested in a particular project or service, please reach out to our team.

Sustainability & Garden Design

  • Yes. The Pines Group designs gardens using native and pollinator-friendly plants that support local ecosystems.

  • Native perennials, hardy shrubs, ornamental grasses, and climate-resilient trees perform best in Southern Georgian Bay’s conditions.

  • Yes. We offer seasonal planting, garden bed care, pruning, and ongoing maintenance services.

  • Most garden beds benefit from mulching once per year, typically in spring or fall, to retain moisture and suppress weeds.