Frequently Asked Questions

The most common signs are standing or pooling water that takes more than 24 hours to drain after rain, soggy or perpetually soft ground in certain areas, erosion along slopes or garden beds, water collecting near your foundation, and landscape installations that keep failing: plants drowning, mulch washing out, or beds that never seem to dry out.

If any of those sound familiar, the problem isn't going to resolve on its own. Tampa Bay gets over 50 inches of rain per year, and a yard that isn't draining correctly is accumulating damage with every storm. A properly engineered drainage solution is the only permanent fix, and the sooner it's addressed, the less it costs to correct.

Throughout Tampa Bay, we’re seeing more homeowners struggle with standing water, drainage concerns, and water management issues than ever before. As communities become more densely developed and properties have less room to naturally absorb and redirect water, drainage problems have become increasingly common.

Because every property is different, there is no one-size-fits-all drainage solution. Depending on the property’s needs, we may recommend underground gutter downspout extensions, catch basins, prefabricated channel drains, grading improvements, a French drain, sump pump discharge systems, or a combination of multiple drainage solutions. Our goal is to identify how water moves across your property and install a system that redirects it away from structures, landscape beds, and other problem areas as effectively as possible.

A French drain is a subsurface drainage system designed to redirect groundwater away from problem areas before it can pool or saturate the surrounding soil. It consists of a perforated pipe surrounded by gravel, buried at the correct depth and grade, with a proper outlet that carries water away from the affected area.

When designed and installed correctly, a French drain is one of the most effective long-term solutions for residential drainage problems, particularly in Florida, where heavy rainfall and sandy soils create conditions that make subsurface water management essential.

The key words there are "designed and installed correctly." A French drain installed without proper depth, gravel selection, or outlet placement will fail within a season or two.

Artificial turf can be an excellent option for some Tampa Bay homeowners, but it is not maintenance-free and it is not the right solution for every property.

One of the biggest misconceptions about artificial turf is that it requires no upkeep. While turf eliminates mowing, watering, and fertilizing, it still requires routine maintenance to remove debris, maintain appearance, and promote proper drainage. Homes with multiple large dogs may also experience odor issues if the turf is not properly maintained.

Heat is another common concern. Like pavers, concrete, and natural grass, artificial turf can become hot in direct sunlight during the summer months. Product selection, installation methods, shade coverage, and intended use all play an important role in how the finished product performs.

For many homeowners, artificial turf is a practical low-maintenance alternative to natural grass. However, we believe it’s important to understand both the advantages and limitations before deciding whether it’s the right fit for your property.

One of the most important indicators of a successful project is responsiveness. We do not expect constant availability, but we do appreciate clients who can provide a reasonable turnaround time on design feedback, material selections, approvals, scheduling decisions, and other project-related communication. Landscape and drainage projects involve coordination between materials, suppliers, crews, permitting, and scheduling. When decisions or approvals are delayed for days or weeks, project timelines can be affected and unnecessary delays may occur. Our projects are highly customized to each property and homeowner. While we’ll guide you through every step of the process, your input plays an important role in creating a finished product that reflects your goals, priorities, and vision for the space. We also value clients who are open to professional recommendations. Whether we’re discussing drainage solutions, plant selection, materials, or long-term maintenance considerations, our recommendations are based on experience and designed to help create the best possible outcome for your property.

Yes. Sure Shot carries workers’ compensation insurance, commercial auto insurance, and $1,000,000 in general liability coverage.

Landscape installation and drainage work are considered construction-related activities, which makes proper insurance coverage an important part of protecting both homeowners and contractors throughout the course of a project.

We are happy to provide a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) upon request. If your HOA, property manager, or commercial property requires additional insurance documentation, please let us know and we’ll be happy to assist.

We accept cash, checks, credit cards, ACH transfers, wire transfers, and Zelle.

For most projects, payment is structured as a 35% deposit before work begins, with the remaining 65% due upon completion. However, payment schedules may vary depending on the scope and complexity of the project and will always be clearly outlined in the contract before work begins.

If you have questions about payment methods or financing options, a member of our team would be happy to discuss them with you.

Every installation includes a final walkthrough before the project is considered complete.

We provide a 30-day plant warranty and a 365-day warranty on drainage systems. If an issue arises within the applicable warranty period, we encourage clients to contact us so we can evaluate the situation and determine the appropriate next steps.

Licensing and insurance are the baseline, and you'd be surprised how many companies in this industry operate without both. Beyond that, look for certifications that demonstrate real expertise in the specific services you need.

For drainage work, NDS certification is a meaningful credential that verifies a contractor understands proper drainage design and installation standards. Look for a company that does its own work rather than subcontracting, communicates clearly throughout the process, and is willing to be upfront about what a project actually requires rather than telling you what you want to hear.

A company that turns down projects that aren't the right fit is a company worth trusting. Ask about their process, their warranty policy, and whether they file their own 811 utility tickets before digging. These small details tell you a lot about how a company operates.

Every outdoor project is different, which is why pricing varies based on the scope of work, site conditions, materials selected, and overall project complexity. The best way to receive accurate pricing is through scheduling an on-site consultation.

While we do not provide pricing without first evaluating the property, here are a few general starting points for common services:

• Landscape design & installation: $5,000-$20,000 +
  

• Drainage & stormwater management: $5,000-$15,000 +
  

• Artificial turf installation: $10,000 +
  

• Pavers, patios & hardscaping: $5,000+
  

• Water features & enhancements: $5,000+
  

Our projects are designed around the specific needs of the property and homeowner, and final pricing will vary by project.

NDS stands for National Diversified Sales, an industry leader in drainage products and systems. Their contractor certification program verifies that installers understand proper drainage design, product selection, and installation standards at a national level.

For homeowners experiencing standing water, erosion, or drainage concerns around the home, working with an NDS-certified contractor can help ensure recommendations are based on established drainage practices rather than guesswork.

We do not place a set limit on design revisions. Our goal is to make sure you are comfortable with the design before moving forward with installation.

The design process is collaborative. The more feedback you provide about what you like, dislike, and want to accomplish, the more efficiently we can refine the plan.

We take the time to understand your goals from the beginning, but if adjustments are needed along the way, we’re happy to continue refining the design until we’re ready to move forward.

While we provide complimentary estimates, we do not provide free landscape designs.

Detailed landscape design work is completed only after a proposal has been accepted and the project moves into the design phase. During the design consultation, we’ll review your goals, priorities, budget, and overall vision for the space. From there, we’ll develop a customized design tailored to your property and continue refining it based on your feedback.

Our goal is to create a design that balances functionality, aesthetics, and long-term performance before moving forward with installation.

Most of the water features we install use self-contained recirculating systems. Rather than being connected to your home’s plumbing, the water continuously circulates through a hidden reservoir and pump system.

Most water features do require electricity to operate the pump. While we install the water feature itself, any required electrical work must be completed by a licensed electrician in accordance with local codes.

During the consultation process, we’ll review the location, electrical requirements, maintenance expectations, and the type of water feature that best fits your property and goals.

You don’t need extensive knowledge of landscaping before your consultation. The most helpful thing you can bring is a general idea of your goals, priorities, and design preferences.

Inspiration photos are always helpful and can be uploaded through our design consultation form. We encourage homeowners to save examples of landscapes, plants, outdoor living spaces, or features they like so we can better understand their vision.

Our job is to ask the right questions, listen to your feedback, and gather the information needed to create a design that fits both your property and your goals.

811 is the national “Call Before You Dig” service. Before any excavation begins, underground utilities such as electric, gas, water, sewer, and communication lines must be located and marked to help prevent accidental damage during construction.

Many of the services we provide, including drainage solutions, landscape installation, water features, and hardscape projects, require digging below the surface. For projects that involve excavation, Sure Shot submits the required 811 utility locate request before work begins.

Utility locates can affect project scheduling, as utility companies typically require advance notice before markings can be completed. Under no circumstances will we begin excavation until all required utility locates have been completed and approved. While this may occasionally impact scheduling timelines, it helps protect homeowners, underground utilities, and our crews while reducing the risk of costly delays, service interruptions, or damage during construction.