Who we are
Most landscape companies do one thing — design and plant. Most excavation companies do another — dirt and grading. We do both, in-house, because doing both well is what most outdoor projects actually need. A new patio needs proper site prep. A new garden needs good soil and drainage. A retaining wall needs both a great-looking face and a structurally correct base.
We're based at 6700 Hwy 12 East in Eau Claire, where we operate a garden center and a working yard for landscape and excavation crews. We serve the Chippewa Valley — Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls, Altoona, Lake Hallie, Fall Creek, Hallie, Town of Washington — and across West Central Wisconsin.
How we approach a project
We try to be the contractor our customers wish more contractors were. That means:
- We answer the phone and call you back.
- We give itemized written quotes with materials, dimensions, and labor scope.
- We show up when we say we will. If something changes, we tell you in advance.
- We protect your lawn, trees, irrigation, and house while we work.
- We clean up. The site looks better than we found it when we leave.
- We stand behind our work.
Garden center positioning
The seasonal garden center matters because it changes how we recommend plants. We're not pulling from a catalog — we're walking through actual plants we grew and selected for the Wisconsin climate. When we design a yard, you can come look at the exact perennial or shrub before it goes in.
Excavation positioning
The excavation side matters because so many landscape problems are really dirt problems. Floods, foundation moisture, dying plants, cracking patios — they often trace back to grading or drainage. Having that capability in-house means we can fix the root cause, not just the surface.
What we believe about pricing
Affordable doesn't mean cheap. We help homeowners get more value through phased projects, smart material choices, and getting the structure right the first time so it doesn't have to be rebuilt. We also believe in transparency — every quote is written, itemized, and explained.
Working with us
Whether it's a small front-yard refresh or a multi-phase landscape and excavation project, the start is the same: a free conversation. Call (715) 832-4553, email mikes@greenthumbwi.com, or use the contact form. We'll get back to you within one business day.
Why one team is easier to work with
The best outdoor projects usually cross several trades. A retaining wall may require excavation, base prep, drainage stone, block installation, finish grading, planting, and cleanup. A backyard patio may need demolition, haul-off, gravel base, edge restraint, plant beds, mulch, and seasonal maintenance. When those pieces are split across too many companies, the homeowner becomes the coordinator. Green Thumb keeps more of that work in one place so decisions are faster, accountability is clearer, and the finished property feels like one planned project instead of a collection of separate jobs.
How we think about long-term value
We would rather build a smaller project correctly than a larger project that fails early. In Wisconsin, outdoor work has to survive spring thaw, heavy rain, summer heat, fall leaf drop, snow removal, and freeze-thaw movement. That is why we pay attention to base depth, drainage, compaction, plant hardiness, access routes, and maintenance requirements. Good landscaping is not only what looks sharp the day we leave. It is what still makes sense three seasons later when the plants are filling in and the hardscape has gone through a winter.
Who is a good fit
We are a strong fit for homeowners and property managers who want straight answers, a written scope, and a crew that can handle both the visible and hidden parts of the job. Customers call us for front-yard curb appeal, backyard living spaces, garden center plants, excavation and hauling, storm cleanup, snow plowing, retaining walls, and drainage correction. We are also a good fit when a customer is not sure where to begin. We can walk the property, point out the practical priorities, and help phase the work so the budget goes toward the improvements that matter most.
What customers can expect
Expect a practical conversation, not a hard sell. Expect us to ask how you use the property, what has bothered you about it, what budget range feels reasonable, and what timeline matters. Expect us to explain when a less expensive material makes sense and when it will cost more later. Expect clear communication if weather, supply, or site conditions affect the schedule. Most of all, expect a local Eau Claire team that wants the work to hold up because our reputation lives in the same community we serve.
Why local reputation matters
In a community like Eau Claire, reputation is built one job site at a time. The people who hire us may also see our trucks at the garden center, at a neighbor's retaining wall project, on a snow route, or hauling material across town. That closeness keeps the work honest. We want customers to call again, refer a neighbor, and feel confident that the crew treated the property with respect.
How we help customers prioritize
Not every property needs everything at once. We help customers separate the urgent work from the nice-to-have work. Drainage, safety, failing bases, and structural walls usually come before decorative upgrades. Once the foundation is right, the visual improvements last longer and the budget stretches further.
That priority-first approach is especially important for customers comparing bids. A lower number is only better when the scope is equal. We help explain the difference between saving money through smart phasing and saving money by skipping work the property actually needs.
Clear priorities make better projects and better relationships.
We want customers to understand the work before approving it. When the reason for each line item is clear, the final project feels less like a purchase and more like a plan the property genuinely needed.