How Landscaping and Hardscaping Increases Home Value

The next time you step outside your home, you might want to take a closer look at your property’s landscaping and hardscaping. Upgrading a home’s landscaping from OK to W-O-W can increase overall value from 10-20%, according to research from Virginia Tech.

Landscaping 101

Landscaping goes beyond just plants and shrubs to hardscaping, which includes retaining walls, patios, walkways paver driveways and other man-made improvements to your outdoor space. There are thousands of landscaping portfolios on the web. You might try searching landscaping and hardscaping ideas.

A landscape contractor or landscape architect can work with the client to generate a detailed plan. Typically, the homeowner then hires a landscape contractor to carry out the installation. A truly professional landscaping firm can do both.

According to US News & World Report, these are just a few of the trending items in landscape and hardscape designs:

• Outdoor lighting

• Water features

• Fire pits

• Fences

• Garden paths

Enlist a professional for your hardscape or landscape project

When hiring a landscaping company, go with a licensed professional, who is experienced with all the things that contribute to the project’s success. A true professional will have experience in such topics as:

• Horticulture

• Soil

• Property grading and drainage

• Irrigation

• Landscape design

• Hardscaping

It goes without saying that you need a design expert. Like any home improvement project, consider this an investment-find the right professional who is knowledgeable, skilled and eager to collaborate. Be honest- if you do not have the time or the inclination to maintain your project, ask about low-maintenance vegetation and easy-care hardscaping.

Planning your home’s landscaping and hardscaping

You and your landscape contractor should expect to walk the property a few times. There’s more to the project than adding; you’ll want to determine if there are dying trees or overgrown shrubs that need removing. And the pro will point out areas of problematic grading, irrigation needs and items that may require just a bit of refreshing.

A great landscaping professional will look at areas that can be enhanced. Discuss a new walkway, an upgraded patio or stairway, plantings that complement the look and feel of the project, and exterior lighting. Exterior lighting not only adds to property value-it provides increased security for your family. A pro will offer advice on up-lights, down-lights and tree lights.

Phased landscaping & hardscaping project preparation

One of the most significant mistakes any homeowner can make is landscaping and hardscaping bit-by-bit with no plan. A purple petunia here, a patio there, a red maple in the middle of the front lawn. Lack of a proper design will end up in a property that looks thrown together and could negatively impact your home’s value. An expert landscape designer can craft and implement plans that provides a stylized look. Keeping on track with a professionally prepared design will not only result in a stunning property-it will keep the project on a pre-established budget.

Protecting your landscaping and hardscaping project

It is important to care for your landscaping investment and keep your property looking its very best. A landscape company can help you with maintenance needs. Today’s homeowners lead busy lives.

A professionally landscaped property is a sure ticket to quick resale. It gives a home curb appeal, a sense of place and value. Remember, it doesn’t all have to occur at once. Many homeowners choose a 5-year plan that matures at varying intervals and allows for a variety of features over the years. Homeowners can keep to a budget-both time-wise and cost-wise-while working towards a beautiful landscape and hardscape renovation.

Author: Marc Onorato

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9905669

Tree Trimming and Tree Pruning – How Do They Differ?

Mature and growing trees abound in almost every neighborhood across the country. If the proper care procedures are not regularly observed by homeowners, they could cause serious injury to their property and the trees themselves could end up in poor form and health. Most of them may need some trimming and some may require serious pruning. But what really is the difference between these two?

Many homeowners, even some tree services contractors just use these two terms interchangeably. Strictly speaking however, trimming and pruning are actually different, albeit closely related, processes.

You may think of tree trimming as “grooming” or shaping it according to a design you have in mind. You are more focused on the outer perimeter of the tree, removing most of the new growth of leaves or small branches on the tree’s external portion. Tree pruning on the other hand, is thinning out a tree to remove diseased limbs and dead branches. It usually involves cutting off of selected branches back to the new growth, to the larger branch, or to the main trunk itself.

Simply put, trimming is more of a procedure done for aesthetic purposes, while pruning is done primarily for safety and health purposes. Pruning for safety reasons is when you cut off branches that could fall on a person or on a part of your home or property. Pruning a tree to maintain its health typically includes removing insect-infested or decayed branches and thinning out the crown for better air passage. You can also prune to promote fruit production in fruit-bearing trees, and stimulate blooming in flowering trees.

The ultimate decision on whether a tree needs trimming or pruning would be dependent on the type of tree you have and the problems you may have with it. For more tree care tips, consult with a tree trimming or pruning contractor.

Author: Andrew Johnson

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2312682