Bill Dittman asked:


High quality landscaping can add so much to a home or business, especially when the landscaping brings color and creativity to the forefront. When a homeowner or business owner takes the next step and adds landscape lighting, the result has the potential to be phenomenal.
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Landscape lighting really enhances attractive landscaping, and can make ordinary landscaping stand out and turn into attractive landscaping. Adding landscaping isn’t necessarily all that difficult or even terribly costly, but the curb appeal which good lighting adds is undeniable.

Adding lighting can even enhance winter landscapes, accentuating trees, bushes, and even ornaments that really add to the visual affect that makes landscaping so appealing. Introducing this to existing landscaping is a project that is definitely worth consulting with a professional. Having this lighting installed professionally can help you avoid some very common mistakes that detract from the landscape instead of enhancing it.

Having your landscape lighting professionally installed will open up your options more than most people realize. Professionals have a very critical eye for landscape and landscape lighting and can easily pull forth the best qualities to highlight while introducing you to your best option for your lighting.

The installation of this can be done at the time of having landscaping completed or can be added to existing landscaping. Having the lighting added to landscape as it is being completed allows the landscaper an extra margin of creativity, creating the lighting as an original part of the overall landscaping. Adding this to existing landscaping may sometimes require a few transplantations and perhaps the addition of a few extra plants, but most of the time landscape lighting can be added to existing landscaping without rearranging anything. However, if you’ve been considering making a few additions or changes to your existing landscaping, doing so while installing landscape lighting is the perfect opportunity.

Homes with landscape lighting attract more attention than homes without it. The better the landscape lighting, obviously, the more attention the homes or business will attract. Accent lighting and landscape lighting can bring forth a very different night time beauty that was previously overlooked. During the darker winter months, it can add a value of warmth to the look of the home or business, which will make it appealing and inviting. During the summer months when the landscaping is in full bloom, landscape lighting will accentuate the best and most appealing parts of your landscaping while creating a very attractive and even festive look to the home or business.

Businesses that take the time to install it are much more appealing than businesses that don’t. This additional appeal attracts clients and customers, especially those businesses which are open after dark even if for only part of the year. When a business is exceptionally appealing to clients and customers, they tend to attract regular and repeat business. Landscape lighting can be part of that attraction. There is a visual sense of calm that people associate with landscape lighting. That visual sense of calm make clients and customers feel at ease about coming inside and spending some time or money.

Homes with the lighting are more appealing as well. Whether you are considering selling a home, having family and friends over, or simply want to make your home a nicer and more comfortable environment, landscape lighting can absolutely deliver what you’re looking for. Homes which are up for sale that have landscape lighting attract more potential buyers than homes without it.

Professionally installed it can offer a home or business owner variable options to enhance the qualities they believe are the most appealing while allowing a professional landscape lighting expert to make unbiased recommendations. This ensures that your landscape lighting will be more than adequate, it will be phenomenal. Don’t choose a lighting professional carelessly. Often professional landscape lighting experts can offer you examples of their work, which in turn can give you confidence that you are hiring the very best in landscape lighting.

Having this installed in a huge home or business improvement that will have noticeable effects right away. It is highly recommended to have your landscape lighting professionally installed and professionally maintained. Professional installation of landscape lighting is easy and adds value to a home or business without much effort and no inconvenience. This adds curb appeal faster than almost any other home or business improvement.



MARSHALL

Landscape Business Houston

Filed Under Gardening | Comments Off

Jeff Halper asked:


These companies offer a full range of landscape services including consultation, design, installation and maintenance. A landscape business will usually specialize in one or more areas and subcontract related installation elements such as outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, water fountains, outdoor fireplaces, and landscape lighting.
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The Steps to Getting Your Landscape Started

When you decide to hire a landscape business, you typically begin with an initial discovery meeting where you have an opportunity to discuss your overall goals, control elements, design intent and the overall aesthetics. The next meeting may include landscape designs, landscape plans, permitting issues and cost studies. In providing landscape services, a good professional should work diligently to help you define the scope of your outdoor project, phasing, scheduling, coordination, selection of all materials and construction methods, and project cost.

Once you have approved the landscape design, the landscape company you selected can begin the installation. As mentioned earlier, many landscape businesses act as the general contractor and oversee the entire installation of drainage, irrigation and landscape lighting. The fees for these services vary for each landscape business; however they are normally charged as a percentage of the total cost of the work for the project. .

Installation phase

A landscape business will usually include all plant materials, irrigation, drainage, and landscape lighting in their contract. Once the irrigation and lighting contractors finish their work, the planting can be completed by putting in all shrubs, groundcover, and seasonal color. After this step, mulching and cleanup commence. The irrigation and lighting subcontractors then return for final adjustments and the installation is complete.

It is during the installation that the importance of tree preservation must be emphasized. Careful pre-construction activities include protective tree fencing, borer applications on sensitive trees, temporary drainage and elevated walks to protect tree roots. Proper grading and soil preparation around large trees is another delicate issue. The foresight to understand the impact of changing grades on mature trees is crucial, so make sure your landscape service company is well versed in this area of expertise.

Some homeowners want to act as general contractors for their landscaping projects in order to save money. This choice can lead to some real problems. Often confusions can arise from the misunderstanding of trade terminology, scheduling and coordination if the different phases of a project. A subcontractor will respond much better to a seasoned general contractor who understands the work to be performed and with whom they have a good relationship based on past experience. Many landscape businesses have years of experience to make sure the end results exceed your expectations.

The Art of Communication

There should be good understanding, communication and comfort level between you and the firm you hire. Remember, your attention to detail and expectations of the entire process are crucial in determining which landscape company to hire for your outdoor project

Finally, landscape maintenance is one of the most important ongoing services to insure that your investment develops into a mature and beautiful outdoor environment. A landscape business will typically include proper trimming of plant material and mowing of all lawn areas. Landscape businesses should have a methodical feeding program that boosts the varying plant health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants. The feeding program may also include spring and fall aeration of lawn areas with the application of fall rye grass. Water management through continual inspection of the irrigation controller, heads, and seasonal watering times is the foundation for lawn, shrub and tree health. Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are the last part of a complete and continually proactive maintenance program.



RUSTY
Doug Woodall asked:


If you have always been interested in the topic of landscaping you should learn about it from the experts. While you can read various gardening magazines, the best way for you to learn about landscaping is to take a landscaping class.

You might be surprised to know that landscaping classes are an excellent option. These classes are usually something that people who are interested in botany like to take, as it is a way to implement their love of plants.

You’ll learn about:

* Plant health, soil, and fertilizers

* Servicing garden tractors and other tools used in landscaping

* Creating landscaping designs using shrubs and ground covers

* Specialty landscaping, starting and operating your own landscaping business

* And you may be able to learn it right at home

With the right credentials, you can:

* Work for an established landscaping firm or start your own business.

* Complete your training in as little as six months from today, or take longer if you wish.

If you have a basic knowledge of flowers and plants, that basic knowledge will help you when it comes to learning about the basics of landscaping. If, however, you really do not know much about either, that is not a problem, because a landscaping class will teach you all of the basic knowledge plus more.
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There are usually several levels of landscaping classes that you can choose from, in accordance with your current knowledge. The basic landscaping classes will most likely have to do with being able to identify certain kinds of plants, and how they can be implemented into various landscaping designs.

One important thing that you should know about landscaping is that you will need to pay attention to the kinds of plants that work well in your climate. For example, if you like a certain kind of plant, but that plant is only right in warmer climates, and you live in a colder climate, you will need to find a plant that can work with your climate.

Another important thing to learn about landscaping is the quality of soil that you have, because it varies with the climate. The kind of soil that you have should have sufficient nutrients, so you might need to get soil that has all the nutrients that your plants need. If you decide to take a class about landscaping, that should be one of the topics.

One thing that people often want to know about landscaping classes is whether they are expensive to take. The price of landscaping classes will have to do with how advanced the class is, as well as how long the class will last. It will also have to do with the materials that you might need to purchase for the class.

If you really want to learn about landscaping, check out the programs that are available at your local community college, as community college’s often offer landscaping classes. You can also ask local landscaping companies where they would suggest. With the proper research, you are sure to find the right landscaping class.

Professional Landscaper training should include:

* All the books, lessons, and learning aids you need

* “Landscape Tools Use and Safety” videos

* Tree and shrub identification books

* 3D Home Design Suite Deluxe Software

* Instructional support and

* Some Access to InformationalWebsites

Landscaping Is A Great Career; You Will Always Be In Demand!

Copyright © John Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.



REGINALD
Abhishek Agarwal asked:


This commentary on landscape gardening will deliberate over the effectiveness of making use of tips on landscape gardening in order to work out various landscaping problems.

Provides You With Professional Advice

You are aware of what precisely you want implemented and wish that you could hire the services of a landscape specialist to execute the project. Regrettably, you are constrained by your finances. However, luckily, there are scores of tips on landscape gardening. By putting in a little effort delving into the subject, you can easily handle any landscaping issue by means of professional tips.

It does not make sense to commit the same faults previously made by somebody else and not to be forewarned. You do not have to resort to the difficult trial and error method when expert guidance is at your disposal. Tips on landscape gardening can help you carefully invest your time and resources.

Tackles Several Gardening Issues

Tips on landscape gardening can sort out a whole host of landscaping concerns:

1. The kind of plants that will flourish in the soil conditions present in your area

2. A cost-effective means of setting up a pond in your garden

3. The most suitable time to grow shrubs

4. The easiest method of doing away with old turf

5. Shortcuts that will expedite the landscaping project

6. Merging a novel landscaping project with a deck that already exists

7. Purchase of landscaping materials in an economical manner

8. Growing plants that bloom all through the year

9. Setting up landscaping beds to take into account seasonal factors

These tips are very useful for any kind of a landscaping project, and will help in structuring the process effectively, curtailing the costs, and in providing the latest expert advice and information.

Hi-Tech Suggestions

Living in a technologically advanced society has many advantages, one being that the latest information in the field of science and technology are instantly conveyed to the end user.

Tips on landscape gardening cover more than just suggesting the kind of plants to grow. These tips focus on locating the most modern landscaping supplies and techniques to resolve longstanding issues. Not long ago, landscaping called for loads of supplies, like wood logs, which needed to be restored every so often. These days, you can avail of tips on landscape gardening, which spot the most recent supplies available in stores that do not fall to pieces in the ground.

Some time back, a consumer was confronted with an insect problem, which lasted for a complete season before the consumer could get his hands on a product that could effectively eliminate the pests. The insects by then had damaged quite a bit of the landscaped area, necessitating expensive substitution.

Today, you can locate tips on landscape gardening on the web, which will provide advice on the latest insect repellents that do not pose a risk to the environment. These tips make available the latest and hottest information.

Personalized Tips

In this information age, tips on landscape gardening, apart from equipping you with the latest information, also provide you with a personalized solution to landscaping issues.

Online, there are specialists who will resolve your particular queries. A wide range of gardening issues are covered, right from materials, insects, shortcuts, fertilizers, pesticides, plants, landscape plans, preserving walls and footpaths, and decks. Every topic has associated tips on landscape gardening, custom-made for you!



BRUNO
terra_7_diva asked:


on average, what percentage is considered appropriate for a small business landscaper, to mark up the materials, plants and services i provide. in the state of colorado

DUANE
lawn care guy asked:


This is an average size back yard to large yard with some very large holes and some small. Just trying to get an idea how to price this job. Thanks so much. Would a landscaper please answer this question. Thank you!!

RUSSELL
Richard Gilliland asked:


Orlando, Florida is known as the home of Mickey Mouse, Universal Studios, Sea World and a destination for tourists from around the world. One of the most attractive aspects of Orlando is its beautiful landscapes. Even people who are not specifically interested in plants and flowers cannot help but be impressed by the breathtaking floral displays and landscapes in Orlando. A perk of living in Orlando is the ability to grow fantastic, lush, tropical-looking plants and flowers year-round. For a fun and functional landscape installation in Orlando, follow these top ten tips.

1) Get help: Do it yourself projects can be fun or disastrous. While installing a landscape seems like it might be fun and easy, it is even more fun to have a team of landscape installation professionals do it for you, so you can enjoy your garden. For the best results, ensure that your landscape installation contractor is certified by the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscape Association. (FNGLA)

2) Research your plant selections: (Or make sure that your landscape installation contractor does research) For the most beautiful, year-round landscape in Orlando, you will want to select a variety of plants that bloom throughout the year. Additionally, not everything that grows in Orlando is evergreen, so you will want to choose some plants that are evergreen for foundation plantings.

3) Secure proper landscape installation permits: This is another area where are qualified landscape installation professional in Orlando can help. Planting a few flowers does not require a permit. Digging a well and installing a complete irrigation system does require permits.

4) Think about watering: Central Florida is rainy in the summer and dry in the winter-usually. However, Florida has been experiencing a drought over the last few years. In order to maintain a beautiful yard in Florida, you will need to water it. If you do not have an irrigation system, and you are planning a major landscape renovation, you will need to think about installing one. It is better to do this before you plant everything! If you do not wish to install an irrigation system, select plants that, once established, need little water.

5) Prepare a Landscape Design: Plan before you plant is a good mantra for landscape installation. You do not need to be a landscape architect to design a pretty foundation planting and flower beds. There are many internet resources, books and magazines available to help you. Planning ahead will help you control your spending at the nursery, and be realistic about the number of plants you need. (You will often need more plants than you thought!)

6) Plant for the Future: With its warm temperatures and rainy summers, Orlando is a great place for plants to grow-fast. When you install your landscape, be certain to give your plants room to grow. It might look like you have a lot of bare space for the first month or so, but sooner than you would expect, your landscape will be lush and beautiful.

7) Safety first: Whether you are installing a commercial or residential landscape in Florida, consider safety a number one priority. A certified landscape contractor should know the ins and outs of safety codes. Additionally, if you are installing your landscape yourself, you can read about types of paving to use or not use, and types of plants that are better than others. For example, if you have children, you will want to avoid planting oleander. While oleander is a beautiful flowering shrub, it is better for large-scale installations at places like airports or shopping malls. It is highly poisonous, and you would not want to risk your child deciding to eat it! (Children eat everything!) Doing a little bit of research before your landscape installation in Orlando will go a long way toward helping you create a beautiful, functional and fun landscape.

 

 



EMILIO
Christa Kowalczyk asked:


Landscape contractors are licensed professionals who are trained in performing techniques and designs onto a piece of land. This is whether it is a small or a large scale project. Landscape design comprises mainly of landscape management, landscape planning, landscape detailing, landscape assessment, landscape urbanism and garden design innovations. The skills of a landscape contractor, together with their certifications and experiences, has varying factors that can affect you selection and criteria of who is the best these days.

Landscape contractors are licensed professionals who are trained in performing techniques and designs onto a piece of land. This is whether it is a small or a large scale project. Landscape design comprises mainly of landscape management, landscape planning, landscape detailing, landscape assessment, landscape urbanism and garden design innovations.

People behind these, would be contractors that are also regarded as landscape designers. They are also the ones who convert a simple yard into great outdoor scenery, using renovation and decorative processes. Aside from this, they are also equipped in managing landscape renovations such as:

1. Disposing existing:

? Pests

? Plants, and

? Unused things

2. Building new infrastructure features

3. Installing drainage and irrigation systems

4. Sculpting:

? Themes

? Designs, and

? Walkways

5. Installing:

? Gazebos

? Fences, and

? Patios

6. Assuring the flowering of garden plants.

Hence, landscapers will present and even plot advisable themes but they also follow your chosen design. They can arrange maintenance services and provide follow ups, for future care. Contractors or design firms are also rest assured that their people had undergone training and expertise. This is with regards to landscaping at its best.

Moreover, many firms enjoy the market’s growth, especially in the landscaping industry nowadays. There was an increase both abroad and domestically. With this, top designing firms and contractors in US have reached billions of revenues. Reaping the subsidy, design firms became strong, particularly in the design market of the U.S.

Thus, changes and challenges in the industry such as new client demands, work loads, additional staffs and new design models has been a long standing problem because of the strong market.

According to the 2007 Electronic Edition of the ENR Top 500 Design Firms, they surveyed and published the top firms according to their revenues. The top 5 from the top 100 pure designers are as follows:

Type of Firm 2006 Revenue

1. AECOM TECHNOLOGY CORP. EA $2,831.9

Los Angeles, California

2. THE LOUIS BERGER GROUP EA $865.5

East orange, New Jersey

3. CDI BUSINESS SOLUTIONS EC $630.6

Philadelphia

4. PBS&J EA $546.1

Tampa, Florida

5. MUSTANG ENGINEERING EC $540.0

Houston, Texas

These top 5 rankings were judged according to their award winning plans, strategies, applications and extensive experience. Furthermore, here is the Top 5 for the Best Architectural Firms, which focused on landscaping:

1. FRCH Design Worldwide

Cincinnati, Ohio

Web Address: http://www.frch.com

FRCH Design Worldwide is a design and architectural firm that serves hospitality markets, restaurant, offices, entertainment and retail markets internationally. The firm got this slot in the year 2006. In fact, it is the first place winner of ZweigWhite’s national for the “Best Firms to Work for Award”. Thus, FRCH offers new strategies for architecture designs, promoting customer satisfaction.

2. Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

Headquarters:

? Charlotte, NC

? Dallas, TX

? Irvine, CA

? Detroit, MI

? Orlando, FL

? Washington D.C

? Irvine, CA

? Los Angeles, CA, and

? Research Triangle Park, NC

This firm was formerly Little & Associates Architects. Hence, this firm specializes in:

? Universities and Colleges

? Interiors

? Facilities Management

? Offices

? Civic

? Retail industries, and

? Financial industries

Thus, this company comes in an array of architectural consulting services such as:

? Land Development Services

? Space Management Consulting, and

? Architecture

3. BSB Design

Headquarters:

? Costa Mesa

? Denver

? Atlanta

? Chicago

? Dallas

? Las Vegas

? Sacramento

? Boston

? Jacksonville

? Chicago Loop

? Phoenix

? Tampa

? Orlando, and

? Fresno

BSB was founded in the year 1966. They specialize in architecture for residential areas. Where in, they have even expanded to commercial architecture such as:

? Community land planning

? Hospitality, and

? Resorts

Thus, BSB Designs offers unique design solutions, along with award winning plans. This firm is a veteran for 40 years, having 300 architects, staffs and designers.

4. Sasaki Associates, Inc.

Offices:

? Watertown, MA

? Boston

? San Francisco

Founded by Hideo Sasaki in 1953, Sasaki Associates became a respected international landscape firm. With 270 professionals, interdisciplinary measures are being implemented in their offices.

5. EDSA

Address: Fort Lauderdale

Offices:

? Florida

? California

? China

? Maryland

? Orlando

? Los Angeles, and

? Baltimore

EDSA was established in the year 1960. They actually guarantee an extensive experience in:

? Cultural and campus planning

? Environmental and community planning

? Hotels and resorts

? Ecotourism

? Entertainment and urban design

With over 220 employees, EDSA is a landscape architectural, planning, graphic and urban design specialist. Lastly, it is an internationally renowned firm.

Thus, with the vast number of landscaping firms and contractors, how can one find the best should you decide to build your own area, into an outdoor paradise? Here are the some tips:

? A big ad is not important, what is important is taking time to present and match your own designs to the landscaper. A good contractor actually listens to his clients.

? Visiting stores that offer listings of firms. With this list, you can do some research about the entire company profile and the designer itself.

? Get estimates from the contractor and other prospects as well.

? Don’t rush things. A good contractor lays down the design plot and its features before signing up.

? Seek for a firm that has a superior service and facilitates excellent customer care. They should be able to value their client’s opinions.

There are many excellent landscaping contractors and landscape designers nowadays. A vast progress of the landscaping industry inherits these contractors to upgrade their specialization with other competent companies.

Local landscapers can arrange special maintenance services in lieu with their customer satisfaction rate and performance. This may help in bringing them to become one amongst the top contractors and firms in the U.S. today.

Now that new computer design software is in demand, it has become an added variety of service for one firm to possess. Due to the advent of computer generated landscaping designs, more professionals must be trained and knowledgeable enough to implement this kind of progress.

Prospects in choosing contractors and firms to be on the top list must follow certain researches and surveys to the best of their services.



REED
Daddyhorhay asked:


I am a landscaper and need to know because the rocks are $45/ton. I need about 20 of these rocks and don’t know how many tons it will be. Anybody have a calculation using diameter or radius?
Basic rock you would find in a yard. I don’t know what kind.
Price includes delivery of about 30 miles.
2 times 3 times 3 is 12? I don’t think so.

FREDDIE
JakeW asked:


I’m an experienced horticulturalist looking to startup a landscaping business focusing on seasonal plantings, pruning and chemical/organic applications. My fear is that the lawn companies won’t want to work at my clients homes after I take away their most profitable business.

I’m looking for advice on how to approach landscapers to work together.
I would be competing with some, but would be a parallel busines for most landscapers.

DUANE

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