Landscaping is not as complicated as lets say putting an addition on your house but it can be just as expensive and there are a few things you can do to ensure that the investment that you put into your property isn’t wasted.
1.) Get a recent survey of the area. The one that came with the deed of the house from the 50's might not cut it. The reason you want to get a recent survey is to make sure that all of the hard landscaping aspects of your project land on your property and your neighbour won’t be enjoying your new outdoor kitchen instead of you. You might even regain property that you had always thought was your neighbours. A survey is essential when setting fence posts between properties.
2.) Take a good look inside the house before you start any work outside. Believe it or not even though your landscaping project is outside it can effect a lot of things inside. Check for existing water damage around baseboards, on drywall and flooring. If your yard gets graded improperly and your basement leaks its good to have the proof. Checking any exposed foundation for cracks is a good idea as well as your landscaper will be using heavy compaction equipment and equipment such as bobcats and mini-excavators. If you are having hard landscaping completed right next to an older house it is a good idea to think about waterproofing that wall as you are landscaping to avoid tearing it up later on.
3.) Make sure either you or your landscape contractor gets the appropriate underground utility locates prior to breaking ground on any landscaping project requiring excavation. It is the law and it is free so why not?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, January 25, 2010
Homeowner Education - Choosing a Landscaper
One of the most common homeowner errors is to tackle their yard a little at a time over a longer period of time. They clear areas, begin to plant and continue without a plan. When all is said and done the outcome is often a jungle of plantings and gardens that attribute to a disorganized feel. Planning out your Toronto landscaping project will see your end product adding value to your lifestyle.
Another prevalent homeowner error is their failure to do research prior to hiring a contractor. Due to the nature and licensing requirements of landscaping it is fairly easy for anybody to start a landscaping business, even with minimal experience. Educating yourself on industry standard procedures for installing landscape products is beneficial. Most popular manufacturers have the minimum installation requirements for their products listed on their website. Go take a look! A good contractor will educate you on installation procedures before starting the job.
Probably the most often ignored piece of advice when hiring any contractor is to check references. Some will say that it's pointless because its likely the contractor will give you the names and numbers of only the satisfied customers. The real questions you want to ask the references are more in depth. For example: Was your project on budget? Was your project on time? Were they considerate and flexible towards your family? Did they clean up and repair any damage created in the process? There are many more you can ask but the previous mentioned should get you started.
Steps to Success as a Homeowner
1.) Get a plan and follow it! Avoid planning as you go to assure flow within the design.
2.) Always do your research! Licensing for landscapers is rare, educate your self on standard install procedures.
3.) Check your contractors references! This should not have to be mentioned, ask in depth questions.
Another prevalent homeowner error is their failure to do research prior to hiring a contractor. Due to the nature and licensing requirements of landscaping it is fairly easy for anybody to start a landscaping business, even with minimal experience. Educating yourself on industry standard procedures for installing landscape products is beneficial. Most popular manufacturers have the minimum installation requirements for their products listed on their website. Go take a look! A good contractor will educate you on installation procedures before starting the job.
Probably the most often ignored piece of advice when hiring any contractor is to check references. Some will say that it's pointless because its likely the contractor will give you the names and numbers of only the satisfied customers. The real questions you want to ask the references are more in depth. For example: Was your project on budget? Was your project on time? Were they considerate and flexible towards your family? Did they clean up and repair any damage created in the process? There are many more you can ask but the previous mentioned should get you started.
Steps to Success as a Homeowner
1.) Get a plan and follow it! Avoid planning as you go to assure flow within the design.
2.) Always do your research! Licensing for landscapers is rare, educate your self on standard install procedures.
3.) Check your contractors references! This should not have to be mentioned, ask in depth questions.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Proper Base Preparation
A hardscape project is one of those things where unless the job is several years old you never really know how well the base was prepared. Proper base preparation is one of the if not the most important elements to a high quality long lasting hardscape installation.
Problems generally arise in the first two years after a few freeze and thaw cycles. These cycles mentioned are the expanding and contracting of the ground caused by water and moisture. Most notably these problems will manifest themselves as rutting, pooling or ponding of water or settling near the corners and edges.
Generally these problems go unnoticed and discounted as the aging of an installation or a failure of the product itself. In reality a professional installation will last from 10-15 years depending on the climate. When hiring a contractor to complete your landscape project base preparation is a key question to ask!
These are the 4 most common mistakes when preparing base for new interlock or dry layed flagstone installation.
1.) The use of incorrect bedding material such as mass amounts of limestone screenings should not be used as a base because it traps a large amount of moisture increasing freeze thaw.
2.) If the base is not deep enough it will not support the traffic that must travel over it nor will it be firm enough to stand the test of time.
3.) Poor compaction means that the base material still has room to sink. Time, water and traffic lead to uneven wear resulting in rutting and pooling of water further increasing damage.
4.) The absence of any edge restraint means that pavers are able to migrate apart increasing the gap allowing water to penetrate and when frozen expand and ruin your new installation.
With proper installation a new hardscape installation should be able to last the test of time. The odd time warping and rutting can be attributed to the native soil conditions such as uncompacted fill from new construction. In any case when approaching a new hardscape installation be sure to be aware and ask questions. It all starts from the base.
Problems generally arise in the first two years after a few freeze and thaw cycles. These cycles mentioned are the expanding and contracting of the ground caused by water and moisture. Most notably these problems will manifest themselves as rutting, pooling or ponding of water or settling near the corners and edges.
Generally these problems go unnoticed and discounted as the aging of an installation or a failure of the product itself. In reality a professional installation will last from 10-15 years depending on the climate. When hiring a contractor to complete your landscape project base preparation is a key question to ask!
These are the 4 most common mistakes when preparing base for new interlock or dry layed flagstone installation.
1.) The use of incorrect bedding material such as mass amounts of limestone screenings should not be used as a base because it traps a large amount of moisture increasing freeze thaw.
2.) If the base is not deep enough it will not support the traffic that must travel over it nor will it be firm enough to stand the test of time.
3.) Poor compaction means that the base material still has room to sink. Time, water and traffic lead to uneven wear resulting in rutting and pooling of water further increasing damage.
4.) The absence of any edge restraint means that pavers are able to migrate apart increasing the gap allowing water to penetrate and when frozen expand and ruin your new installation.
With proper installation a new hardscape installation should be able to last the test of time. The odd time warping and rutting can be attributed to the native soil conditions such as uncompacted fill from new construction. In any case when approaching a new hardscape installation be sure to be aware and ask questions. It all starts from the base.
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