I would like to take some time in this edition to go over a couple tips that I seem to find myself talking about over and over. They seem to be things that not all hom­eowners or contractors think about, but should! Here we go…



#1 BE PATIENT AND PLAN AHEAD:

Too many contractors and homeowners alike plant their yards to look good RIGHT NOW! But keep in mind that most of the plants that you purchase are young and immature. They will be getting much bigger very soon! So what looks great now will look like an uncared for over grown jungle in as little as a years time. Make sure that you plant as per the spacing instructions provided, or make sure that your contractor is paying attention to this information. Just because they are the right size now, and you have a nice view of all your flowers, shrubs and trees now… soon you may not be so lucky. As for looking good right now? Well, there are a few things to do to make it look good now and in the future. One is to install plants that have different growth rates. Another is to make use of annual flowers to fill in just for now till things fill in. A third way is to plant perennials that are easily transplanted, perhaps to the next project area in a year or two when they start to get crowded, that way you are not wasting the plants or the money. My suggestion… if you are buying to plant yourself… or having a contractor do the work… ASK QUESTIONS! Make sure you or your contractor knows what to expect in the future so you won’t be tearing it all out in a year or two!

#2 PRICE VS. QUALITY & CRAFTSMANSHIP:

This topic goes for both hardscaping ( pavers & retaining walls) as well as water features. Not all products and contractors are created equal! In today’s economy it is very tempting to shop based only on price. But will it have been worth it in the long run or will you just waste too much money anyway?

If you are looking to have hardscaping done make sure that not only is your contractor ICPI certified, but also does he/she have a good working knowledge of what con­stitutes a good quality job and why? How many jobs has he/she done? Do they have references? Are there any pictures or actual jobs you may see? More importantly, how long have these jobs been there? A job may look great right after completion, but will it last? Many times, more often than not, a paver or retaining wall installation will fail over time. They will settle unevenly and even have sink holes? Another thing to ask about is the product itself. Ask why they use the manufacturer(s) they are recom­mending.

Want a water feature installed? Basically the same things apply. You can have a water feature installed for half the price but only get one tenth the quality in parts and craftsmanship, and still be left with a high maintenance headache! What should you do? ASK QUESTIONS! How long have they been doing it, and how many have they installed. Get at least six referrals, and actually call those customers and talk to them. Do they provide service and support after the sale? Do they maintain ponds that they do not install? Do they have a repeat customer base? When they give you an estimate make sure they give you a break down of the specific products they will use. If they don’t…. be very leary!

I only use what I have found to be the top manufacturers of the products I install. They may in some cases cost a little more than other products, but when you factor in lifespan of the product, ease of maintenance, lower maintenance through out the life of the product, and superior performance, the cost if WELL worth it! As a contrac­tor and retailer, I am focused on making sure that my customers get quality. This is how I insure their satisfaction, which is how I have built a large satisfied customer base that has provided me with repeat business and referrals. It’s an important value taught to me by my parents.