Showing posts with label Landscaping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Landscaping. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Choosing a landscaping contractor

I've already written many articles about my experiences in the remodeling industry, now it's time to focus on landscaping. I'm a general contractor who does home repair, remodeling, landscaping and green building. Approximately 50% of the projects I do are landscaping.

Quality, Integrity and Customer Service

I have some of the same opinions about landscaping as I do about building and remodeling. I have talked to hundreds of potential clients and have seen overwhelming evidence of a diminished level of quality and customer service in the industry. I have to always be careful when I say this, because there are some quality contractors out there. That being said, I will continue.

Landscaping is more than building on top of the land

This is especially true in Western Washington. We live in a temporal rain forest with a tremendous amount of water flowing under the ground. Plus, all the new development is is impacting the ground water system.

The ground and what goes on under it differs from place to place

My house sits on a alluvial plain of ever changing river rock deposited by glaciers long ago. Last year, I did a one acre project on the waterfront that was clay with springs channeling water all over the place. Each environment requires different planning to make sure what you build, stays where it is built and does the job it was designed to do. The prep work that is done before you ever lay down a paver or stone is vital.

Have you ever seen a paver walkway or patio when it's newly built? Pretty attractive, right? Now, have you sen the same walkway a couple years later after two winters of rain or freeze? The evidence of good and bad landscaping is all around us.

Many of the projects I've look at or repaired, were never prepared correctly in terms of the the ground work. Consequently, the system failed and I am left explaining to a customer, things like; why their $10K natural stone patio needs to be rebuilt after two years.

Science and landscaping

I have a business partner who is a Landscape Architect and he has enhanced my perspective of what it takes to build to the land instead of on top of it. Consulting with a Landscape Architect basically confirms with science and engineering, what should make common sense to a good landscaper.

Consumer beware

I was doing some research on pavers vs. decorative concrete. Both of these are great products and there are strengths and weaknesses to both. I live in an area that dumps most of it 36" a year of rainfall in the fall and winter months. The ground is a mixture of clay and huge deposits of river rocks with high water tables.

One of the things I face in designing the ground work (sub-surface) is that there are places in our community that the ground changes shape during the winter. This is caused by water flow and underground erosion. The challenge with any surface system you put on top of the ground is what is happening under the ground.

Most of the internet research and product supplier research I have done doesn't address these unique conditions. Basically, my conclusion is that you have to go deeper in the ground with the base prepperations and also provide additional drainage for the water to move away from or not to invade the area under the patio or walkway. Regardless of the situation, this takes some serious thought and may even require an engineer to solve.

If you live in a wet area and you don't take these things into consideration and build accordingly, you will be sorry in a couple of years when your beautiful and expensive patio surface starts to move.

Do it yourself type of consumers

In my research, there was little or no information dealing with ground conditions or water control. When you go to a "do it yourself" store all I could find was dig out the dirt, tamp in some base rock, install the edger, install the pavers and presto you a have just saved a ton of money doing it yourself and now have a professional looking paver patio. (Give it two years and we'll see how it looks). If there is anything I can instill in you as the consumer, is do your research on the ground conditions and build the base and drainage correctly. And if you live on ground like I do, then consider stamped concrete.

Decorative concrete

It is amazing what they can do with concrete. It can be made to look like stone or brick pavers. It's strong and last a long time and resists ground movement. I've even seen outdoor fireplaces that look like stacked stone. They even do kitchen countertops and floors. The thing I like about concrete is the durability and the stability on the ground. One thing that has to be taken into consideration is the additional water run-off if you live in a rainy area. In my area, sometimes you have to create a sub-terrain drainage system to allow the water to disperse and drain properly.

Small building lots

With the increased practice of building on micro-lots there is also an increased ground water issue that comes with it. You have to check with your local building codes as to how much ground you cover up with patios and walkways. It could get complicated if you have to build drainage systems to accommodate the increase dump of water off the end of a patio. And, in my opinion the building codes aren't necessarily always helpful. In our area they have made the builders put in bio-swells to deal with high water tables in the rainy winter months. And, I have seen a lot of standing water in people's yards in these new sub-divisions, so do you research and then use some common sense or an engineer to design the drainage.

If your looking for a landscape contractor, make sure they:
  • Licensed, insured and bonded based on your state
  • Speak directly to the conditions of the ground under your property
  • Design a efficient drainage system, that can be cleaned out. (Around walls, patios, walkways, etc)
  • Go well beyond the typical standard of 4" to 6" with the base ground work that the landscaping is going to be built on. (Remember, CODE is the minimum)
  • Give you detailed plans on how they are gong to deal with the water and ground conditions on your property
  • Remember, you get what you pay for
  • What I would want to see is some of their older work. (paver and wall work) That would show me if what they build is done to withstand long term changing conditions
Chris

Cascadia Design Build
Cascadia Landscaping
Corporate Facebook Profile


Planning your project

Knowledge is power and it will save you time, money and stress

Our goal is to educate the community on what they need to know to make good decisions in their next home improvement project. From basic home repairs, remodeling and landscaping to GREEN building; this article help you learn more on a variety of subjects.

Unless the consumer has the design work and building specs done themselves, they are relying on the contractor to determine the finished product. Consequently, this means that no two estimates will be the same. This article is written to help you, the home owner, navigate the complex world of remodeling and landscaping.

Things to consider when planning a home improvement project

Customers will ask me what it will cost to remodel their kitchen or bathroom or even the price of a small home repair project. My answer is always the same. "It depends on what you want, the materials you choose, if you want to change the walls or structure, etc. And most importantly, do you want it done correctly."

There a whole range of things that will determine the cost on a project. Even how long you are going to keep the house before you sell it will impact your decisions. Every decision involves choices in quality, look, durability, labor to install, etc. A home improvement project will be more successful if it is planned and budgeted well in the beginning. Be sure to select a contractor with plenty of experience with your type of project. And remember, lowest price does not ensure a successful project.

What's your budget? This is the most important beginning factor. Many consumers approach the concept of home improvement project totally backward. Before anything else, you have to figure out what you want and how much you are willing to spend. Then the contractor can build an estimate based on that budget. If you bring in several contractors before you figure this out you will just add confusion to the situation.

Do your research: It's your home and you are the one who is going to live there. If you are unsure of what you want then I would suggest hiring an interior designer, architect or landscape designer. Many consumers try and get the contractor to be the designer. I recommend going online and to stores and get your ideas organized. Decisions will need to be made on plumbing fixtures, lighting, cabinets, flooring, windows, tub and shower designs, sinks, appliances, etc. There are literally hundreds of choices in each of the mentioned categories, including quality levels.

How long are you going to keep the home before you sell it? This is vital unless you have money to burn. If you are keeping your home and you want something special, then go ahead and spend the money. But, if you are going to sell it in a couple of years, then be frugal & functional and remodel it to be attractive to the typical consumer. Remodels can be a decent investment, but in today’s market, it’s not a great equity gain unless you are remodeling for energy savings and disabilities. Kitchens, bathrooms, and spare rooms are typically the best return on investment.

What is your dream idea? How do you want to feel when you walk into the room or how you want it to function? These are important factors. The dream or goal is directly tied to a experience. My wife and I have totally different ideas about the kitchen vs. the garage or even a bathroom.

Resale value and cub appeal: Remodeling and landscaping for value is determined by the market, your neighborhood and the type of work performed. Home improvement projects have different impacts on the value of the property. Kitchens, bathrooms and adding additional space are among the highest return values in remodeling.

What is your time-line? In other words, when do you want the project started and completed? In-home construction impacts your livability on the property and you need to be prepared for that. Also, if you want a remodel done in the busy season, it is important to be scheduling with your designers and contractor well in advanced. A popular contractor can be scheduled out for many months at a time. Design work and permitting are also time consuming and can delay the construction start schedule.

How are you going to finance the project? It boils down to your budget and what you can afford. Every component of the project can be adjusted to fit the budget. It is so important to have design work done on larger remodeling and landscaping projects before you start asking contractors for an estimate. There are many variables and if there are structural changes it needs to be done by the right professional.

A properly designed and engineered plan is going to produce a much more reliable construction plan and budget. It’s all blue sky and guesswork until construction documents are finalized. If you are going to a bank for financing, then an accurate estimate and budget is vital. I have seen 20% to 50% variables in estimates on projects that don’t have the design and engineering done first.

Be prepared for unforeseen conditions: Remodeling and landscaping projects are laced with unknown issues. Everything from improper construction practices and CODE issues to structural issues, water damage or insect damage. Until the demo work is done, there are usually unknowns. Eighty percent of the projects I have done in the Olympia area have had hidden issues. All seasoned contractors have clear exclusions and change order sections in their contracts to cover these circumstances. This is also another important point to make sure you know what your budget is.

Who else is going to be using the area? I always suggest that the key people are on the same page when deciding what result they want. Even children and pets can affect the choices in styles, materials, safety, access and materials.

Are you dealing with an aging family member or do people who live there or visit have accessibility issues?

There are over 54 million people in the country who claim to have some form of a disability. (One out of every five Americans) There are also approximately 7,900 baby-boomers turning 60 each day in this country. Aging-in-place, limited mobility, safety and accessibility are smart design concepts to integrate into your remodeling project, especially if you are selling your home soon.

Are you prepared to have portions your home unusable for a period of time? This is important; you will have people in your home at odd hours, noise, dust, mold, safety issues, etc. Areas will be totally unusable by the family until the project is completed. Pets can also be an issue. If it's a large invasive remodel, I would suggest finding a temporary place to stay. (or even take a vacation) But, if you leave town, make sure you stay available for questions and decisions. There are almost always unforeseen issues and change orders in remodeling & landscaping projects.

What defines a project that needs design work and permitting? You can swap the kitchen cabinets, appliances, sinks and shower without a permit, but if you want walls moved, space added to the footprint of the structure or the roof structure changed, you’re going to need permits. (Check your local local or state building CODES) And, to get permits approved then there needs to be design work, construction documents and possibly engineer specs. This is usually determined in the first meeting with your contractor. Design-build is a concept used in major renovations. It is a construction process where the design and construction of a project are handled by a team under one umbrella. (See: Design-Build)

Design work, construction documents and building permits: Having the design work and material specifications done in the beginning simplifies the estimating process. When a consumer starts on a empty slate and expects the contractor to design the project, they will never have apple-to-apple estimates to compare.

Each contractor will bring different ideas to the table which will effect the total project plan and price. If you want to simplify the process and eliminate confusion and stress, get the design work done first. Then, the estimates you get will be based on the same plan and materials specifications.

You can hire the designers yourself or hire a design-build firm that will bring all the necessary professionals to the project. Design-build is a construction process where the design and construction of a project are handled by a team under one umbrella. Instead of dealing with multiple contractors, designers & consultants, all of your budgeting, construction project management, permitting, change orders and billing are handled through a single source. In more recent times, the contractor is typically the lead on design-build teams. Projects that change the structure of the building or increase the building footprint on the property will require design work and construction documents to get permits. Smaller projects may only require an interior design or non-structural design work.

ESTIMATES, BUDGETS, DESIGN AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS

THE ESTIMATE: The estimate is the foundation for the project plan and the contract defines the relationship between the client and the contractor during the project. (Both are vital) The estimate explains what is to be done, as well as, what isn’t going to be done on the project. From the first conversation to the point of the contract, a lot of ideas can be discussed and can lead to misunderstandings about what the scope of the work actually will be. Unless you have construction documents to bid the work off of, estimates from different contractors may define different scopes of work.

A good estimate defines scope, schedule, payment schedules and how unforeseen issues and change-orders are going to be handled. What is defined in the estimate is a lot more important that the price on the estimate. Almost every home improvement project I have done, has had unforeseen issues, CODE issues and change orders. How the contractor deals with and charges for those issues, is what truly defines the actual cost of the project. Too many people look at the price, when they should be looking at the "terms and conditions". Even fixed-price bids have clauses for unforeseen issues in the contract.

THE CONTRACT: The contract defines the final agreement that you and your contractor have crafted. It also defines the relationship between the client and the contractor in terms of communication and how payments and issues are going to dealt with. A well written estimate and contract becomes the foundation for the project plan. In some cases the estimate may also have the contract integrated in the document. If a contractor leaves out details it can add delays and additional expenses to the project. Omission estimating is common in the remodeling industry and can lead to huge cost and time overruns on the project.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON ESTIMATES & CONTRACTS
  • ESTIMATING: Definitive and accurate estimating takes time to produce. I get a lot of what I call "curious shoppers" looking for a price to do a project. This means I am going to give a guesstimate based on my past experiences on similar projects. The bottom line is the customer needs to start with a budget and a plan. There are too many variables in remodeling and landscaping to start asking contractors for estimates before you know what you want and can afford. The concept of getting a bunch of "free-estimates" can put price as the key component instead of value, quality materials & workmanship and customer service.
  • THE LOWEST PRICE: My first response to this is "You get what you pay for". Let me explain; taking an older and possibly damaged structure to an attractive, functional final product requires a highly skilled contractor. Home repair, remodeling and landscaping is a merger between troubleshooting, art, customer service and construction. Your home is a huge investment and it requires quality care and maintenance to keep or improve its value. Quality work and materials, customer service and reduced maintenance is a product of “value at a reasonable price” which is not typically “the lowest price”.
  • TIME & MATERIAL: This type of contract is usually seen on small home repair projects where the variables are high and it is almost impossible to give a fixed bid on. You will also see this as a clause for repairing unforeseen conditions on a fixed price bid.
  • FIXED PRICE BID: There is a huge difference between getting a bid on replacing your windows, siding or roof and having a bathroom or kitchen remodeled. Remodeling and landscaping projects are laced with many different product choices, potential for customer change orders and unforeseen issues. A contractor is going to have strong clauses in the contract to cover these contingencies. For a fixed price bid to apply, all the details and planning need to be extremely thorough. (i.e. fixtures, appliances, materials, processes, design work, etc)
  • COST-PLUS AGREEMENTS: This is similar to a time & materials project, basically all the project costs are on the table. The project is recorded in detail and an agreed upon profit is added to end price. Without a base line "not to exceed" value on a project, this type of agreement is risky.
  • COMBINATION AGREEMENTS: To me, most home improvement projects are a combination of a fixed price and a time and material agreements. I may do the demo work for time and materials until we get enough of the issues exposed to actually do a fixed price estimate on. Or, I may do a fixed price bid with time and material charges for change orders or customer change orders. But if I do this, then my estimate is extremely detailed so there is no question what is in the bid vs. what is extra work. The bottom line for me is the written word. There are usually several conversations leading up to the start of project and misunderstandings about the actual scope of the work or products can occur.
  • PROJECT FEASIBILITY AGREEMENTS (Budget Development / Designs provided) The contractor is hired to establish a range of values for the determination of the budget based upon a designer or architect's drawings that the customer provides. This budget plan typically doesn't represent an estimate by the contractor. It is complied to give the customer a price range on their remodeling concept. Basically, you are hiring the contractor as a consultant.
  • DESIGN AGREEMENT (Budget Development / Designs not provided) This scenario is where the contractor is hired to produce conceptual drawings & construction documents and build a project plan with a budget based on the customers ideas. The process typically requires design work, engineering, multiple sub-contractor bids and a budget plan. It will produce everything needed to get the project permitted and built. The contractor functions as a project manager for the client to do all the things necessary to turn their ideas into a workable project. Again, you are hiring the contractor as a consultant.
Are you driven by “GREEN” issues? Remodeling and landscaping to sustainable and energy saving standards impacts many decisions you will need to make. Everything from the materials you choose and even the contractor you hire to do the work. Green is an overused word in today's marketplace and there is a sea of information to sort through. The key to green building is a team approach. Make sure the contractor is truly plugged into the right professionals to be able to deliver a sustainable result. See: Green Building (Web articles)

Landscaping: The weather conditions of Western Washington and the geology of the area impact the ground your house is sitting on. Have you ever seen a retaining wall, a paver walkway or patio two years after it has been installed? The evidence of poor landscaping practices is in every neighborhood in the Olympia area. You can't just place blocks or pavers on the ground and expect them to stay in place. The ground is always moving and what is done under the ground is vital to stabilizing the work that is done above the ground.

Do you like or trust the contractor? This is vital because they will be in your home for eight plus hours a day for weeks or even months. I once heard an old-school contractor say he would never sign a contract with someone he didn't trust with a handshake agreement first. As a contractor, it’s one of the first things I ask myself about the client with whom I am discussing the potential project with. I put my heart and soul into my projects and I need to work for customers that I’m comfortable with and trust. The same goes for you and the contractor you choose.

Chris

Cascadia Design Build
Arch-Eco Design
Corporate Facebook Profile

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Landscape architecture vs. landscape design

Often we are asked to clarify the difference between these two terms or businesses.

The quick response is that landscape architecture is a licensed profession administered by the State or Province and regulated by a central registration body in Washington DC. (CLARB, the Council for Landscape Architectural Registration Board) Anybody overnight can call themselves a landscape designer.

The word (Landscape) Architect in most States and Provinces including WA falls under an Act or WAC where those licensed are required to abide by the following laws (typically):
  • To uphold public health, safety and welfare as it relates to the professional practice of landscape architecture in your region.
  • To nurture and further the professional application of landscape architectural knowledge and technique as it relates to the planning, design,development, preservation, protection, restoration, reclamation, enhancement and management of the environment.
  • To further and maintain proper standards of professional landscape architectural practice.
  • To complete annual continuing education requirements_ a number of education and training credits taken in Landscape Architecture or in related fields.
  • Landscape Architecture is a broad based profession requiring many skills and diverse knowledge.

To become a landscape architect you are required to accomplish the following:
  • Pass an accredited B.L.A. program (typically 5 years)
  • Or have a related degree (earth sciences for instance), make up some undergrad BLA courses and pass the M.L.A. _ masters program.
  • Complete a three year (min.) professional practice log having fulfilled a minimum period of certain tasks.
  • Pass the L.A.R.E. registration exams _ a series of five or six exams you sit for at certain times in the year (typically). These take a minimum of a year and a half.
  • Pass the (national/ state) review boards and in some States a licensing exam

The time it takes to meet all the requirements from A to Z varies but typically it takes about nine to ten years. However the national and state/provincial requirements and/or laws are constantly changing hence to become a practicing professional may be shorter than expected. At least the current trends are to simplify and reduce the requirements.

Many landscape designers are self-taught after having read and worked in the landscape business. Knowledge is picked up in nurseries, community colleges, workshops, master-gardener programs and so forth. Typically the landscape designer is focused on residential garden design and therefore often have an expertise in horticulture and local plant materials_ native and/or ornamental. Most landscape architects (but limited to) have a wider repertoire and consequently offer a wider range of skills and expertise from planning, project management, and design at various scales/size. That is not to say that some L.A.’s choose to have a career solely in residential design.

Markthor MacFarlane

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Don't all customers look for the lowest price?

My answer is, only the uneducated customer.

In remodeling, home repair and landscaping there is usually unforeseen issues and customer changes that equate to 15% to 40% increase in the price. That’s why I don’t do bids, I do estimates. I am never the low guy because I am honest about the bigger picture of the project and it’s potential hidden issues.


So when a customer seeks the lowest price they can get a desperate, bad contractor or a dishonest one. The bad contractor typically hides or does a cover up on hidden issues that gets worse over time and ends up costing the home owner more money to fix later.

The dishonest one bids low and typically has strong add-on clauses in the contract. (It’s called omission bidding). When all the hidden problems are reviled and the price soars, the customer is now stuck with the added expense they weren't expecting. (And that contractor, because now their house is torn apart)

An honest contractor educates the customer on the potential hidden areas and is up front about the potential unforeseen issues and costs related to them. They have the add-on clauses in their contract, but the customer knows there will probably be additional expenses. You are helping the customer fix their problem and doing it inside a realistic budget that they are fully aware of. The difference between quality remodelers and the other eighty percent is just that, education, customer service and honesty.

Chris

Cascadia Design Build

Friday, October 28, 2011

Landscaping in the South Sound

FACTORS IN BUILDING QUALITY and SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES


DIVERSE BIO-SYSTEM & GEOLOGICAL REGION
  • We live in a temperate rain forest with fairly dry summers and very wet winters
  • Summer snow melt adds a lot water to the underground systems that flow to the ocean
  • There is clay in areas and rocks in others; plus plateaus and valleys with high water tables and hills with low water tables
  • This region was once covered by glaciers consequently; the ground is always changing due to the geology, underground water systems and the rain & snow in the mountains
  • All this combined with the impact of an ever increasing population and construction impacts the already complex environmental system
EARLY BREAKDOWN

I look at many projects for both remodeling and landscaping in the Olympia area. The one thing that stands out almost everywhere is most of the homes or properties have what I call, early break down. Many buildings are experiencing water damage issues, the landscape features are deteriorating and the yards are overgrown and dying.

MOST LANDSCAPES ARE BUILT TO FAIL

This occurs because of improper design and construction practices or poor maintenance. One of the primary causes starts with a lack of designing for the geology, weather conditions, plant growth and maintenance programs.

EXAMPLES: Walls, walkways and patios have moved and lost their original shape and effectiveness. Drainage systems are clogged non-existent or totally failed. The plants and trees are overgrown and usually planted in the wrong place. (i.e. To close together or up against the house or yard structures like decks) Most yards look exactly like their neighbors. And, with the price of water on the rise, many homes owners have let their yards die off.

DESIGN IS EVERYTHING

With proper planning and design work and quality building practices, you can have a property that is enjoyable to use, easy to maintain and is the envy of your neighborhood. As a contractor, I know my limitations. That is why I use a Landscape Architect on my projects. Quality landscape projects start with design work done by someone who understands the geology, the climate and how it impacts the ground and how the foliage and hardscapes tie into the building, lot and neighborhood.



PROPER DESIGN and CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES ARE VITAL TO A SUCCESSFUL RESULTS. (It is all in the ground preparation)

Have you ever seen an expensive retaining wall, paver patio, walkway or fence after a couple of years of rain and changing ground conditions? Most of what we see around Olympia has failed. This means the contractor didn't build a proper base under the structure or drainage systems. To build on top of the ground, you need to understand what's going on under the surface of the ground and design to nature’s forces.
  • In some areas, 70% of the soil is river rocks with very little top soil in it. In this scenario, there is seasonal or constant water flowing and changing the underground structure. These conditions all play havoc on the surface of the land. The surface on this property literally changes shape as underground water erodes away. Landscape features must be designed to accommodate these changing conditions.
  • In other areas, much of the ground is clay mixed with rocks. With clay, there are water flow issues that must be dealt with by installing proper drainage systems. We design and build to accommodate these naturally occurring conditions. Our walls, walkways and patios are built on proper foundations to minimize the effects of nature's forces. The same goes for our fences and decks, we build them to last.

SMALL SPACE SOLUTIONS (Newer small lot subdivisions)

You don't have to give up a beautiful yard just because you live on a small lot. Landscaping solutions can be designed and built for any sized property, including the new micro lots. In fact, small gardens can be very unique and attractive. The key is to first make sure the ground water issues and surface coverage CODE requirement are taken care of. Then it's a matter of designing and building to the space and tying it into the rest of the property's landscaping.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT WHEN DESIGNING YOUR PROJECT

THE VISUAL AND EMOTIONAL
  • How do you want to feel when you drive up to your property?
  • Are you tired of your yard looking like every other property in your neighborhood?
  • Would you like to have a yard that transforms the seasons of the year?
  • Is there a theme or character you'd love to see, but don't have the time or expertise to do it?
  • Would you like to walk out your back door and enjoy your yard instead of dreading it?
  • Do you need someone to help you create a unique property that you are proud to entertain in?
  • Do you have a commercial property you would like to transform into something spectacular?
  • Are you interested in increasing the value and curb appeal of the property?

THE PRACTICAL (Sustainability, maintenance and expense)
  • Are you tired of doing constant maintenance to keep your property looking good?
  • Do you desire a yard that you can use without stressing over all the unfinished projects?
  • Are your watering bills outrageous, but you don't want to give up a beautiful yard?
  • Would you like a landscape that looks good even in the winter?
  • Do you want an incredible but are skeptical about all the maintenance time and expense it will take to keep it looking good?
  • Do you desire a property that doesn't take all spring to clean up from the winter?
  • Are you interested in making your property a sustainable eco-friendly environment?

INCREASED PROPERTY VALUES AND SELL-ABILITY

Two things happen when you have quality design and landscaping done to your property. First, it impacts how you feel and use the property. Second, it increases the value and the curb appeal. Like a kitchen or bathroom remodel, quality landscaping is an investment in your property.

HARDSCAPES: A good design-build team focuses on bringing out the best in what nature has to offer. First, you design and build the hardscape features. These consists of the structures, such as patios, walls, decks, walkways or water features.

SOFTSCAPES: Then you install the horticultural and finishing elements of the landscaping (i.e. plants, trees, shrubs, artwork) The goal in all our projects is to transform your property into an enjoyable, functional and sustainable environment.

LANDSCAPING FOR DISABILITIES

Designing for a disability starts at the driveway and works it's way into the home. Disabilities or limited mobility should not stop you from enjoying your yard and garden.

You can transform your property into a beautiful crafted natural scene that that looks good through the changing conditions of the seasons. Absolute attention to all the important details produces exceptional lasting results.

Chris