Keep an eye on our Facebook Page for project updates and the install process.
We will focus on the actual install challenges that we overcome to make a sucess out of the project. Also it will give us a chance to highlight some of our work.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Customer regrets
Occasionally customers will give us feedback on the quality of our work and how pleased they are with our efforts and the end results. Landscaping as a job can give you some great satisfaction when the project is completed.
The other day I received an eye opening email from a former customer who decided they wanted to save some money and went with another company or alledged "landscape professionals" that were recommended. The email was basically an apology about questioning our pricing and not putting stock in what it takes to get some of the work done. It went on to explain the nightmare of having to have the other company rebuild a wall several times to get it right and not completing the work in a timely manner. They went on to say they now had a good understanding of the difficulty of the work and why it cost what it cost and they would never question our pricing again.
While this is satisfying in the short term, we would prefer to have any and all of our customers just appreciate what we do and ask question if they don't understand what it takes to do a complete and professional job.
Alot of what we do is a combination of artistry, experience, skill, and knowledge all put together to come up with not only an aesthetically pleasing landscape but one that will function many years to come. I encourage anyone looking to hire a landscaper to go off recommendations and ask questions. Make sure you understand what is involved in your particular job. even if you don't fully understand what is going on it can not only enlighten you to what it takes to do the work but will give you an appreciation of the value you are getting along with the confidence you have made the right choice in having the work done. Real professionals will take the time to explain the process of what is being done. We love what we do and work to have our customers a part of their project.
The other day I received an eye opening email from a former customer who decided they wanted to save some money and went with another company or alledged "landscape professionals" that were recommended. The email was basically an apology about questioning our pricing and not putting stock in what it takes to get some of the work done. It went on to explain the nightmare of having to have the other company rebuild a wall several times to get it right and not completing the work in a timely manner. They went on to say they now had a good understanding of the difficulty of the work and why it cost what it cost and they would never question our pricing again.
While this is satisfying in the short term, we would prefer to have any and all of our customers just appreciate what we do and ask question if they don't understand what it takes to do a complete and professional job.
Alot of what we do is a combination of artistry, experience, skill, and knowledge all put together to come up with not only an aesthetically pleasing landscape but one that will function many years to come. I encourage anyone looking to hire a landscaper to go off recommendations and ask questions. Make sure you understand what is involved in your particular job. even if you don't fully understand what is going on it can not only enlighten you to what it takes to do the work but will give you an appreciation of the value you are getting along with the confidence you have made the right choice in having the work done. Real professionals will take the time to explain the process of what is being done. We love what we do and work to have our customers a part of their project.
Certifications and education are two key elements in choosing a landscape professional
If you are searching for a qualified landscape professional to maintain your existing landscape or create a new one you should always find out about the people who own the company, who train the crews and supervise the work. They should have professional certifications, college degrees or some education that shows there knowledge to get the job done efficiently and with the highest quality. Remember cost is relative to value. If you don't value your landscape then I guess it does not matter how it is done and who does it. If it is all about money then I could send someone over with a chainsaw to cut your shrubs back because you saved $100. If you just want some bushes planted in front of your house with no concern of what the plant will look like in a few years then I am sure you will get a "deal". Most people don't realize that someone with years of education and experience will think about the right plant for that location. A common mistake I see all the time is a small evergreen tree planted on the front corner of the house. Aesthetically when the plant goes in it looks good. Over time the homeowner finds out it was planted too close to the house or it is just too large for the space. The result is now the tree has to be severly pruned to fit the spot or removed because it may cause damage if left unchecked. Cost to remove large tree; several hundred dollars and now no tree to fill in a mature landscape. Plus you will have to find something new to match the existing plants, several hundred dollars more. Ouch $$$$!!!! If you had hired a trained, educated professional from the start you may have paid a few more dollars, but you would have had a plan. The right plant for the right place as well as a home that has a proportional landscape with curb appeal, will add value to the selling price of the house. All in all a wise investment when using trained professionals.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Understanding the value of landscaping
I meet with customers everyday. Some of them really understand the value of a well maintained landscape, others clearly do not. For example I went to someone's home to do an estimate. Sunrise had never worked with this customer before. It was clear that they had spent some money to get a descent landscape installed, their was a variety of quality plant selections, they had a paver patio put in and the design was solid. However there were weeds everywhere in the beds, no pruning had been done and the landscape needed help. Their solution was to ask me to give them a price to put "concrete" in the beds or some kind of rock (gravel) in the beds to prevent the weeds from coming up in the future.
I often get the same request to put fabric down in the mulch beds to prevent the weeds, which I do not recommend, typically it can cause more problems than it is worth. Getting back to the customer request, I went on to ask some more questions and it was clear the customer was not making any effort to pull the weeds, prune the shrubs or do any maintenance at all as they did not have time and I could see really they did not have the passion or desire to work out in the yard. Which I know is very difficult when temperatures are in the 90's. He did want his landscape to look good and did not want to offend his neighbors by not keeping his landscape looking good and therefore dropping the value of the homes in the neighborhood. This is not a problem but they needed to understand that a little maintenance can go a long way in improving the appearance of their home and preserving the quality of what they had invested in their original landscape. Here at Sunrise landscape and design we make every effort to help educate the customer on the value of maintaining your investment of landscaping.
The solution for this customer is not to spend more money , unnessarily in this case on stone or some other material to solve their problems, but instead to invest in some maintenance services. At Sunrise landscape + design we perform what are called "garden visits" where we send out a crew, usually biweekly to pull and treat weeds, do basic pruning and clean up any trash or excesive debris. And to supplement those visits we perform more extensive prunings at the appropriate times based on the plants cultural requirements and the appearance of the landscape.
This will solve several problems for the customer: 1)Overall appearance of the landscape will be greatly improved. 2) They will not have to worry about doing the work, investing in tools, equipment, fertilizers and weed controls. 3)By having this work done by professionals their yard will look well maintained and their property value will be as high if not higher than most of their neighbors. 4) Profesionally trained landscapers can make sound plant recommendations that will help build value rather than wasting money on improper plant choices for certain situations that can cause you to spend more money to correct a problem that could have been easily avoided.
Visit our website www.sunriselandscapeanddesign.com to see some of the landscapes we maintain and Install. Then give us a call and let us show you how we can help take the worry out of maintaining your landscape.
I often get the same request to put fabric down in the mulch beds to prevent the weeds, which I do not recommend, typically it can cause more problems than it is worth. Getting back to the customer request, I went on to ask some more questions and it was clear the customer was not making any effort to pull the weeds, prune the shrubs or do any maintenance at all as they did not have time and I could see really they did not have the passion or desire to work out in the yard. Which I know is very difficult when temperatures are in the 90's. He did want his landscape to look good and did not want to offend his neighbors by not keeping his landscape looking good and therefore dropping the value of the homes in the neighborhood. This is not a problem but they needed to understand that a little maintenance can go a long way in improving the appearance of their home and preserving the quality of what they had invested in their original landscape. Here at Sunrise landscape and design we make every effort to help educate the customer on the value of maintaining your investment of landscaping.
The solution for this customer is not to spend more money , unnessarily in this case on stone or some other material to solve their problems, but instead to invest in some maintenance services. At Sunrise landscape + design we perform what are called "garden visits" where we send out a crew, usually biweekly to pull and treat weeds, do basic pruning and clean up any trash or excesive debris. And to supplement those visits we perform more extensive prunings at the appropriate times based on the plants cultural requirements and the appearance of the landscape.
This will solve several problems for the customer: 1)Overall appearance of the landscape will be greatly improved. 2) They will not have to worry about doing the work, investing in tools, equipment, fertilizers and weed controls. 3)By having this work done by professionals their yard will look well maintained and their property value will be as high if not higher than most of their neighbors. 4) Profesionally trained landscapers can make sound plant recommendations that will help build value rather than wasting money on improper plant choices for certain situations that can cause you to spend more money to correct a problem that could have been easily avoided.
Visit our website www.sunriselandscapeanddesign.com to see some of the landscapes we maintain and Install. Then give us a call and let us show you how we can help take the worry out of maintaining your landscape.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Landscape Myths vs. Reality
Myths of landscape maintenance
1) Myth: Spring cleanups can be done by just anyone. All you have to do is spread some mulch around and rake up some leaves and you are done.
Reality: There are several things that should be done during the clean up and mulching that not only are more aesthetic but help improve the long term health of your landscape. Excess mulch should be removed from beds and especially around the base of trees and shrubs. All beds should be edged to define the beds and show the distinction between turf and planting areas. Also certain plants should be cut back during this process and dead foliage should be removed. Mulching should be spread evenly in open bed areas and sparingly around trees and plants.
2) Myth: Pruning can be done at anytime with shears or whatever tools you have.
Reality: Pruning of certain plants can impact the health of the plant as well as remove interesting features the plant may have such as flowers. There are also many different tools used in pruning. When pruning trees especially it is important to use the proper tools to make the proper cuts so that the health of the tree is maintained. While shearing is sometimes an acceptable practice to certain plants it is not for every plant and using the proper tool in the proper way can make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of the plants.
3) Myth: Installation of plants can only be done in the spring and fall, not into the summer.
Reality: Most plants that come from the nursery can be planted during the summer and into the winter depending upon the type of plant. Summer especially is a good time to install most all plants. While you will have to water more often in the heat of the summer, the plants will be actively growing and establishing their root system and will be heartier going into the winter months. And since some trees and shrubs have already been dug from the field, it is better to get them in the ground and let them grow rather than sit in the nursery.
4) Myth: You have to wait until September before you can plant grass seed.
Reality: You can start sowing seed for turf in the early to mid August. Especially with aeration or slitseeding the seed will get a head start in being established. You can usually seed thru the month of October with good results. However the later you wait the longer it takes for the seed to germinate. And once the soil temperature falls below 55 degrees I would stop even trying. One of the most important things in establishment with seed is creating good seed to soil contact.
5) Myth: Leaf clean up can wait until spring:
Reality: While not every single leaf must be removed in bed areas, it is important to remove leaves from the turf. Leaves can actually smoother the turf over time, and eventually kill it. In planting beds some leaves is okay, however they should not totally cover certain woody plants. Leaves in large quantities are more detrimental than beneficial to most plants. If certain plants need to be covered I would suggest using mulch or straw that will allow moisture to reach the roots of the plant.
6) Myth: Fertilization is a waste of time and is detrimental to the environment.
Reality: While excess fertilizer can cause certain problems, a well managed fertilization and weed control program is actually more beneficial to the environment for several reasons: 1) Healthy turf helps filter dirt and dust from the air. 2) Healthy turf converts carbon dioxide to oxygen 3) Healthy turf also has a cooling effect. Unhealthy of turf that is not taken care of can actually have the reverse effect and cause more or worse problems in the long run by allowing erosion and other issues.
Do you have any questions about certain myths or landscape practices?
Maybe I can help set the record straight. Call 703-544-0028 and ask for Joe.
1) Myth: Spring cleanups can be done by just anyone. All you have to do is spread some mulch around and rake up some leaves and you are done.
Reality: There are several things that should be done during the clean up and mulching that not only are more aesthetic but help improve the long term health of your landscape. Excess mulch should be removed from beds and especially around the base of trees and shrubs. All beds should be edged to define the beds and show the distinction between turf and planting areas. Also certain plants should be cut back during this process and dead foliage should be removed. Mulching should be spread evenly in open bed areas and sparingly around trees and plants.
2) Myth: Pruning can be done at anytime with shears or whatever tools you have.
Reality: Pruning of certain plants can impact the health of the plant as well as remove interesting features the plant may have such as flowers. There are also many different tools used in pruning. When pruning trees especially it is important to use the proper tools to make the proper cuts so that the health of the tree is maintained. While shearing is sometimes an acceptable practice to certain plants it is not for every plant and using the proper tool in the proper way can make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of the plants.
3) Myth: Installation of plants can only be done in the spring and fall, not into the summer.
Reality: Most plants that come from the nursery can be planted during the summer and into the winter depending upon the type of plant. Summer especially is a good time to install most all plants. While you will have to water more often in the heat of the summer, the plants will be actively growing and establishing their root system and will be heartier going into the winter months. And since some trees and shrubs have already been dug from the field, it is better to get them in the ground and let them grow rather than sit in the nursery.
4) Myth: You have to wait until September before you can plant grass seed.
Reality: You can start sowing seed for turf in the early to mid August. Especially with aeration or slitseeding the seed will get a head start in being established. You can usually seed thru the month of October with good results. However the later you wait the longer it takes for the seed to germinate. And once the soil temperature falls below 55 degrees I would stop even trying. One of the most important things in establishment with seed is creating good seed to soil contact.
5) Myth: Leaf clean up can wait until spring:
Reality: While not every single leaf must be removed in bed areas, it is important to remove leaves from the turf. Leaves can actually smoother the turf over time, and eventually kill it. In planting beds some leaves is okay, however they should not totally cover certain woody plants. Leaves in large quantities are more detrimental than beneficial to most plants. If certain plants need to be covered I would suggest using mulch or straw that will allow moisture to reach the roots of the plant.
6) Myth: Fertilization is a waste of time and is detrimental to the environment.
Reality: While excess fertilizer can cause certain problems, a well managed fertilization and weed control program is actually more beneficial to the environment for several reasons: 1) Healthy turf helps filter dirt and dust from the air. 2) Healthy turf converts carbon dioxide to oxygen 3) Healthy turf also has a cooling effect. Unhealthy of turf that is not taken care of can actually have the reverse effect and cause more or worse problems in the long run by allowing erosion and other issues.
Do you have any questions about certain myths or landscape practices?
Maybe I can help set the record straight. Call 703-544-0028 and ask for Joe.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
We fix cheap landscapes!
Have you tried a cheaper landscaper and they botched the job?
We are often called out to see if we can fix or finish a job that some other "landscaper" started and could not finish or just did not know what they are doing. It really does pay to hire a true professional when it comes to landscaping. Professionally trained and educated designers can choose the right plant for the right place. We also can provide the expertise on proper installation of hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. We are professionally certified to perform these types of jobs, our crews are trained and operate to certain safety standards. If you don't use someone that is credible, has the proper training and certifications, you are rolling the dice. Sure it may be cheaper, but is it really?
If you hire someone and they perform the task and it fails after the first year who is going to pay and how much are you willing to pay to get it fixed? It could cost you double! For example you have a paver driveway installed and the person(s) you hired did not know what they were doing and only put down a minimal amount of base material. A year later you have ruts in your driveway and the guy you hired is out of business. To fix this problem I would need to pull up the pavers, excavate existing materials down to the proper depth and start the process all over again. In essence you will be paying double or even more to get this corrected. If you do not fix it your property value will decline and you have some liability issues to consider.
We have the expertise and resources to fix what the other guy couldn't do correctly the first time.
Call Sunrise landscape + design (703-544-0028) today for a free consultation to see if we can help.
"We fix cheap Landscapes!!!!!!!"
We are often called out to see if we can fix or finish a job that some other "landscaper" started and could not finish or just did not know what they are doing. It really does pay to hire a true professional when it comes to landscaping. Professionally trained and educated designers can choose the right plant for the right place. We also can provide the expertise on proper installation of hardscaping such as pavers and retaining walls. We are professionally certified to perform these types of jobs, our crews are trained and operate to certain safety standards. If you don't use someone that is credible, has the proper training and certifications, you are rolling the dice. Sure it may be cheaper, but is it really?
If you hire someone and they perform the task and it fails after the first year who is going to pay and how much are you willing to pay to get it fixed? It could cost you double! For example you have a paver driveway installed and the person(s) you hired did not know what they were doing and only put down a minimal amount of base material. A year later you have ruts in your driveway and the guy you hired is out of business. To fix this problem I would need to pull up the pavers, excavate existing materials down to the proper depth and start the process all over again. In essence you will be paying double or even more to get this corrected. If you do not fix it your property value will decline and you have some liability issues to consider.
We have the expertise and resources to fix what the other guy couldn't do correctly the first time.
Call Sunrise landscape + design (703-544-0028) today for a free consultation to see if we can help.
"We fix cheap Landscapes!!!!!!!"
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Shameless self promotion of Sunrise landscape + design
I will admit my reason for this blog is to promote my company Sunrise landscape + design formerly Sunrise Lawn/Landscaping Services, Inc.
The other reason I do this is to inform the public about the challenges we as professionals face in dealing with clients, issues we run up against in the field and just some things to consider in your own landscape here in the Northern VA area.
Since we are in what most landscaing experts term a "transition zone", basically we have some of the extreme cold of the north to some of the extreme heat and humidity from the south. This poses a challenge to growing certain species of plants and turf. Alot of consumers don't comprehend the effect climate has on how well plants grow. Hopefully some of these posts will address and make some of those issues clear. One great example of this is hemlock trees. The heat here is just too much in most cases and the plants are constantly stressed which makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
I will always recommend hiring professionals to perform the design and the work. That does not mean you as the consumer can't have input. That is the great thing about working with Professionals. We can take your ideas and make sure they will work in reality. We can bring up things you may not have thought about such as drainage and how it is impacted when you install a retaining wall or patio.
We love working with clients that have an idea of what they want and just need some help implementing it. Give us a call 703-544-0028 to help you get the value and the most out of your property.
The other reason I do this is to inform the public about the challenges we as professionals face in dealing with clients, issues we run up against in the field and just some things to consider in your own landscape here in the Northern VA area.
Since we are in what most landscaing experts term a "transition zone", basically we have some of the extreme cold of the north to some of the extreme heat and humidity from the south. This poses a challenge to growing certain species of plants and turf. Alot of consumers don't comprehend the effect climate has on how well plants grow. Hopefully some of these posts will address and make some of those issues clear. One great example of this is hemlock trees. The heat here is just too much in most cases and the plants are constantly stressed which makes them more susceptible to pests and diseases.
I will always recommend hiring professionals to perform the design and the work. That does not mean you as the consumer can't have input. That is the great thing about working with Professionals. We can take your ideas and make sure they will work in reality. We can bring up things you may not have thought about such as drainage and how it is impacted when you install a retaining wall or patio.
We love working with clients that have an idea of what they want and just need some help implementing it. Give us a call 703-544-0028 to help you get the value and the most out of your property.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Protect your plants from further snow damage
With all of the snow we have had plants have been taking a beating!
Here are just a few suggestions:
-Get any frozen snow off of the branches. Careful not to damage the branches when removing the snow.
-Dig out branches that have been pulled down into the snow. As the snow melts it can potentially do more damage by pulling the branches down even more causing them to break.
-Stake and or wrap shrubs that are drooping or leaning. Careful not to damage the branches any further as they are very brittle.
-Any branches that are broken or partially broken will in all likelyhood need to be removed by pruning. Some plants can be tied back up if the break is not to severe.
If you think there is a chance then try it, the worse that can happen is you prune it off later.
-Do not wait to do these tasks as more snow falls and even melting occurs it could make things worse.
Remember there are many professionals who can help if you aren't sure. And yes it may cost you a few dollars, but if you do nothing it may cost even more, not to mention the aesthetics to your landscape.
If you are located in Virginia in Western Fairfax County or Eastern Loudoun County give us a call here at Sunrise landscape + design (703-544-0028) we can help your landscape.
Here are just a few suggestions:
-Get any frozen snow off of the branches. Careful not to damage the branches when removing the snow.
-Dig out branches that have been pulled down into the snow. As the snow melts it can potentially do more damage by pulling the branches down even more causing them to break.
-Stake and or wrap shrubs that are drooping or leaning. Careful not to damage the branches any further as they are very brittle.
-Any branches that are broken or partially broken will in all likelyhood need to be removed by pruning. Some plants can be tied back up if the break is not to severe.
If you think there is a chance then try it, the worse that can happen is you prune it off later.
-Do not wait to do these tasks as more snow falls and even melting occurs it could make things worse.
Remember there are many professionals who can help if you aren't sure. And yes it may cost you a few dollars, but if you do nothing it may cost even more, not to mention the aesthetics to your landscape.
If you are located in Virginia in Western Fairfax County or Eastern Loudoun County give us a call here at Sunrise landscape + design (703-544-0028) we can help your landscape.
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