How does the Alaqua Lakes ARC process work for landscape projects?

Alaqua Lakes' ARC requires submittal for any landscape or hardscape change that alters the property exterior — including bed expansions, hardscape additions, lighting, and significant plant-material changes. We draft the package on your behalf, attend the committee meeting if needed, and handle any revisions.

What does a full backyard redesign typically cost in Heathrow?

Estate-scale Heathrow and Alaqua Lakes backyards typically run $60K–$250K for a full redesign including hardscape, planting, irrigation, and landscape lighting. Pool-deck rebuilds with travertine or porcelain are usually $35K–$80K depending on square footage.

Can you handle a complete outdoor kitchen and covered loggia build?

Yes. Our hardscape crew handles concrete and paver foundations, structural framing for covered roofs, plumbing and gas rough-in for grills and sinks, electrical for lighting and appliances, and the finish work. We coordinate with a GC when structural roof work requires permitting.

Heavy oak shade — what works for ground cover and beds?

Under deep oak canopy, St. Augustine grass fails fast. We replace turf with mulched beds, perennial peanut, Asiatic jasmine, or mondo grass in the deepest shade, and reserve the grass for the sunnier perimeter. The design intentionally moves the eye away from the dead-zone-under-the-oaks rather than fighting it.

Do you work in gated communities like Heathrow Country Club and Alaqua Lakes?

Yes. Both are regular work areas for us. We have the COI, vendor paperwork, and gate-access protocols in place. The HOA office knows the company name.

How long does a full Heathrow landscape redesign take from first conversation to finished install?

Design phase is typically three to five weeks (site walk, concept, refined plan, ARC submittal if needed). Install is four to ten weeks depending on hardscape scope. Total project timeline from first walk to finished yard is usually two to four months.

Heathrow, FL

Landscape Design & Hardscape in Heathrow, FL

Name: Firsthand Lawns — Heathrow
Address: 3720 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL, 32804, US
Telephone: (407) 337-5191
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.9

Heathrow is a master-planned community of large lots, custom homes, and the Heathrow Country Club at its center. The residential work that fits here is custom: full-property landscape redesigns when a home changes hands, hardscape upgrades to backyard living areas, and pool-deck rebuilds when the original 90s-era pavers have aged out. Heathrow is a design-and-install practice for us, not a routine-maintenance market.

Alaqua Lakes, the adjacent gated community along Markham Woods Road, has even higher landscape standards — Tom Fazio golf course, mature live oaks, half-to-full-acre lots, and an architectural review committee that takes plant selection seriously. Most of our Alaqua Lakes work is ARC-submitted up front and built to ARC-spec from day one.

The Markham Woods Road corridor between the two communities is some of the most expensive residential real estate in north Orlando. The landscape standard reflects that. We're brought in when builder-grade plantings need to be replaced with an estate-grade design that holds up for fifteen-plus years.

Get a free estimate in Heathrow Call (407) 337-5191

Where we work in Heathrow.

Heathrow Country Club
Alaqua Lakes
Alaqua (original)
Markham Woods Road estates
Reserve at Alaqua
Heathrow Woods
Sanctuary at Alaqua Lakes
Lake Mary / I-4 corridor north

What we do here

Every service, in Heathrow.

The full Firsthand service lineup is available across Heathrow. Click any service for details, pricing range, and FAQ.

Lawn Maintenance

$175–$350/month (residential)

Landscape Design & Installation

$500–$2,500 design · installs $5K–$50K

Sod Installation

$1.50–$3.50 / sq ft installed

Irrigation

Repairs $150–$800 · new install $3K–$8K

Hardscape Installation

$10–$15 / sq ft installed

Tree Trimming & Removal

Trim $300–$700 · removal $400–$3,000+

Stump Grinding & Removal

$150–$400 per stump typical

Bamboo Trimming & Removal

Trim $300–$800 · removal $1.5K–$10K+

Property Cleanup

$500–$5,000+ typical residential

Why Heathrow

What Heathrow homeowners hire us for.

Heathrow Country Club perimeter work.

Homes along the Heathrow course have setback rules from cart paths and fairway-facing planting restrictions. We've worked these lots enough to know which side of the lot line the cart path is on and which plant heights are acceptable along the course.

Alaqua Lakes ARC fluency.

Alaqua Lakes has a thorough architectural review process for landscape and hardscape changes. We draft the submittal — site plan, plant schedule with photos, hardscape material specs, lighting layout — and walk it through the committee. First-round approvals are typical.

Estate-scale hardscape and outdoor living.

Markham Woods properties have the lot size and budget for full outdoor living buildouts — covered loggias, summer kitchens, fire features, pool-deck rebuilds in travertine or porcelain pavers, integrated landscape lighting. We design and install all of it in-house.

Mature canopy redesigns.

Alaqua and the Markham Woods corridor are heavy live-oak shade. Builder-installed plant material from twenty years ago has often outgrown the design — overgrown ligustrum, leggy azaleas, foundation plantings blocking windows. We rip out and replant with a fresh design tuned to the current canopy.

From Heathrow customers

Reviews from your neighborhood.

Customers across Heathrow have rated Firsthand 4.9 stars on Google. Browse all 154 reviews to see what neighbors are saying about recent work in the area.

See all reviews

4.9

Across 154 verified Google reviews

Heathrow on the map.

FAQ

Questions specific to Heathrow.

Other service areas.

We work across Central Florida. Pick another area for local specifics.

Working on a property in Heathrow?

Tell us where and what you're thinking. We'll come out, walk it with you, and write up an honest estimate — usually within two business days.

Get a free estimate (407) 337-5191