Field notes
The Blog
Cost guides, seasonal checklists and straight-talk advice from a Twin Cities crew that does the work.
Paver Patio & Hardscaping Ideas for MN Homes
Pavers beat poured concrete in MN — they flex with freeze-thaw.
Read post cost-guide · 10 min readSiding Cost in Minnesota (2026 Guide)
Replacing siding in the Twin Cities typically runs $8,000–$25,000 depending on material and home size.
Read post cost-guide · 8 min readGutter Installation Cost in MN — Seamless Aluminum & Guards
New seamless aluminum gutters in the Twin Cities run $8–$14 per linear foot installed.
Read post guide · 5 min readHow Often Should You Clean Your Gutters in MN?
Twice a year for most Twin Cities homes — late spring and late fall.
Read post cost-guide · 10 min readConcrete Driveway, Patio & Sidewalk Cost in MN
Concrete flatwork in the Twin Cities runs $7–$14 per square foot installed.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readSnow Removal & Plowing Cost in the Twin Cities
Most Twin Cities homeowners pay $45–$85 per visit, or $350–$700 for a full-season contract.
Read post guide · 8 min readLandscaping ROI — What Returns Best in MN
Quality landscaping returns 15–20% of home value at resale.
Read post checklist · 7 min readRoof Replacement Checklist for MN Homeowners
Everything to verify before signing a roof replacement contract in Minnesota.
Read post cost-guide · 9 min readBasement Finishing Cost in the Twin Cities
Finishing a basement in MN runs $35–$75 per square foot.
Read post cost-guide · 6 min readDrywall & Sheetrock Repair Cost in MN
Small drywall repairs in the Twin Cities run $150–$450 per visit.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readTile Installation Cost — Floors, Showers & Backsplash
Tile in the Twin Cities runs $8–$18 per square foot for labor.
Read post checklist · 6 min readSpring Home Maintenance Checklist for MN
After a Minnesota winter, here's what to check in April and May.
Read post checklist · 6 min readFall Home Maintenance Checklist for MN
September and October prep for a Minnesota winter.
Read post guide · 7 min readHow Long Does a Home Remodel Take in MN?
Realistic Twin Cities remodel timelines, from quote to walkthrough.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readInterior Painting Cost in the Twin Cities
Most Twin Cities interior paint jobs run $3–$7 per square foot of floor space.
Read post seasonal · 6 min readWhen to Trim Trees in Minnesota — Month by Month
Best month to prune oaks, maples, fruit trees, and evergreens in MN — and why timing matters more than technique.
Read post tree-health · 6 min readOak Wilt in Minnesota — Identification, Prevention, Treatment
How to spot oak wilt, why it spreads, and what Minnesota homeowners should do (and never do) to protect their oaks.
Read post guide · 5 min readDo You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Minnesota?
When tree removal needs a permit in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Twin Cities suburbs — boulevard trees, heritage rules, HOA covenants.
Read post tree-health · 6 min readEmerald Ash Borer in Minnesota — Should You Treat or Remove?
EAB has reached every Twin Cities county. The decision tree for treating vs. removing your ash tree, with real cost numbers.
Read post faq · 5 min readStump Grinding FAQ — What Twin Cities Homeowners Ask Most
Quick answers to the 12 most common stump grinding questions — depth, cleanup, replanting, hidden roots.
Read post comparison · 6 min readWood vs. Vinyl Fence in Minnesota — Which Lasts Longer?
Honest comparison for MN winters — cedar privacy vs. vinyl. Cost, lifespan, maintenance, what actually warps.
Read post comparison · 6 min readComposite vs. Wood Deck for Minnesota Winters
Trex/TimberTech vs. cedar vs. PT pine — what survives MN snow shoveling, ice melt, and 20-below winters.
Read post design · 5 min readInterior Paint Color Trends 2026 — Twin Cities Edition
What MN homeowners are choosing for 2026 — moody greens, warm whites, the death of cool grays.
Read post seasonal · 5 min readWhen to Paint the Exterior of Your House in Minnesota
The Twin Cities exterior painting calendar — temperature rules, how late in fall, and what humidity matters.
Read post guide · 5 min readFence Permits & Setbacks in the Twin Cities
Permit rules, height limits, and setback requirements for fences in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Edina, Eden Prairie, Plymouth and more.
Read post seasonal · 5 min readStorm-Proof Your Trees Before MN Storm Season
Twin Cities storm season runs May–September. The 6 things to do in spring to prevent $5,000 of summer damage.
Read post guide · 6 min readBest Trees to Plant in the Twin Cities (2026)
After EAB and oak wilt, what should Twin Cities homeowners plant? Tough, beautiful, climate-smart picks.
Read post cost-guide · 8 min readTree Removal Cost in Minnesota (2026 Guide)
What tree removal really costs in the Twin Cities — by tree size, species, location, and access. Real MN price ranges, no fluff.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readTree Trimming & Pruning Cost in Minnesota
Twin Cities tree trimming prices for small ornamentals to massive oaks. What to ask for, when to prune, and how to avoid topping.
Read post cost-guide · 6 min readStump Grinding Cost in Minnesota
What stump grinding actually costs in the Twin Cities — by stump diameter, depth, root flare, and access.
Read post cost-guide · 9 min readKitchen Remodel Cost in the Twin Cities (2026)
Real Twin Cities kitchen remodel prices — minor refresh, mid-range full remodel, luxury gut. Where the money actually goes.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readBathroom Remodel Cost in the Twin Cities
Powder room to primary bath — Twin Cities bathroom remodel pricing, breakdowns, and where homeowners blow the budget.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readFence Cost in Minnesota — Wood, Vinyl, Chain Link & More
Twin Cities fence cost per linear foot — cedar, vinyl, chain link, ornamental aluminum. What to install, what to skip.
Read post cost-guide · 8 min readDeck Cost in Minnesota — Composite vs. Cedar vs. PT Pine
Real Twin Cities deck pricing per square foot. Composite, cedar, treated pine. What lasts in MN winters and what does not.
Read post cost-guide · 7 min readPainting Cost in the Twin Cities — Interior & Exterior
Real Twin Cities painting prices — per room, per square foot, exterior whole-house. What drives the price, when to repaint.
Read post