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7 Secrets About Hiring a Landscape Service

Tue, 14 May 2024 20:16:00 GMT

There are many different professionals you’ll need to interact with as a homeowner. If you want to keep your home in the best shape possible, it’s important to know when to call in the pros instead of trying to find ways around hiring people who know what they are doing. Landscaping is a type of service you’ll want professional help for.

Although regular lawn maintenance can often be handled on your own, there are a lot of other landscaping services that you’d need professional expertise on. Many people don’t have the time to handle regular lawn maintenance and find that they can free up a lot of time in their schedules when they work with landscapers. According to the experts at This Old House, as of 2023 there were over 1.3 million people working in the U.S. landscaping industry. Here are a few secrets of hiring that you need to know before hiring a landscape service.

1. Check How Long They've Been in Business

If you think landscaping is just digging in the dirt and cutting grass, you couldn’t be more wrong. Landscaping is an art form, and many landscape professionals consider themselves landscape artists for a reason. These professionals have spent years honing their skills, but you still want to make sure that you’re working with a seasoned team of pros. Not only does this show that they have the experience to deliver the services you want, but it also indicates that they have experience running a business. This is an important detail as it’ll affect the way they deal with customers and handle their business dealings.

2. Look at Their References

Landscapers use references to help market their business. A reputable landscaping business will have references they can provide for you. This could be in the form of pictures and contact information, or they may refer you to certain businesses or addresses so that you can see their work firsthand. Take the time to follow up on these references if the business shares them with you. This will give you an idea of the quality of work they provide.

3. Investigate the Services Offered

Landscaping can entail a lot of different types of services. It’s a good idea to meet with a professional first. They may be able to inspect your yard and make recommendations. If you have specific services in mind that you want done, you’ll need to express this in the early conversations. This way, you and the landscaper will be on the same page and there won’t be any confusion later on.

4. Get Multiple Quotes

Getting price quotes is an important part of planning services. This gives you a way to compare prices from different companies and make the best choice. During a price quote, you’ll also get to know the business more intimately. You’ll start to get an idea of what kind of customer service they provide. You can also ask important questions during this meeting or call.

5. Compare Price Points

You’ll also want to inquire about pricing. There are not really any standardized prices for landscaping services. Each provider sets their own prices. You can compare prices though by getting quotes from different landscapers in your area. It’s your responsibility to do this type of research to ensure that you’re not overpaying for these services.

6. Ask About Their Products

If you’re concerned about the types of products used on your property, then you’ll need to ask some questions about what will be applied. The products applied to your yard can affect your plants, your pets, and anyone who spends time in the yard. If you have a pond near your home, the products used in your yard can also wash down into the pond when it rains.

7. Check for Warranties or Guarantees

Since these professionals will be on your property, you’ll want to know how they plan to guarantee their work. If damage happens to your home, vehicles, or property in any way the company will need to make this right. Get this information in writing as well.

These are just a few secrets we want you to know before hiring a landscape service. If you’re looking for professionals in your area, please contact Shelton Landscape & Maintenance today.

3 Reasons It Pays to Have Your Landscape Professionally Designed

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 13:40:00 GMT

Are you looking to make your home or place of business more useful and aesthetically pleasing? As you may know, landscaping is a hugely popular way to transform a property. Fortunately, most communities have access to expert local landscaping companies that can design and install a great landscaping design for your property. Here are some good reasons why it's worth reaching out to have your landscape professionally designed.

1. You Can Make Your Property More Useful

Naturally, it takes more than a nice lawn to get the most out of your property. According to Home Advisor, 10,871 square feet is the average size of a lawn in the United States. That's a fair bit of space to use for gardening, patios, in-ground pools, and more. The best local landscaping companies can design and install a great landscape within that space, so you have less lawn to mow and more landscaping features to enjoy. They can also install irrigation systems that help keep your lawn and landscape in good condition.

2. You Can Improve Drainage to Protect Your Home

A great landscaping design starts with shaping the land and how it drains water away from your home. Quality local landscaping companies can grade the land to create a gentle slope away from your home and toward safe drainage areas. Permeable landscaping features, like gardens, retaining ponds, and French drains, can protect your home against external flooding by moving water away from the structure instead of toward it.

3. You Can Increase Your Property’s Value

A lawn is great, but a landscaped property is even better. When you invest in improving your landscaping, you increase your property’s value while also improving its curb appeal. According to Bankrate, installing and maintaining a landscape can improve your home’s value by an average of about 20%. You get more enjoyment from your property while making it more valuable.

When seeking the help of local landscaping companies , you should call to schedule a time to meet and discuss how our professionals can design a great landscaping plan for your home and property. The best providers know what the local climate and soil conditions generally support for plants and any special features you might have in mind. If you need expert help in the St. Louis, MO area, give our team at Shelton Landscape & Maintenance a call today!

Why You Shouldn't Neglect Lawn Care

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 16:01:00 GMT

If you're a homeowner with lawn space, don't take it for granted. Your lawn is vital to your residential property and its overall value. If you don't take the time for proper lawn care, it may cause problems you weren't expecting. Here are a few you should know about.

Poor Air Quality

Isn't it great to step outside your home any time of day and breathe in fresh air? The main reason for that is the presence of trees that are well maintained. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, a tree can produce about 260 pounds of oxygen in one year. However, if you don't maintain them through proper lawn care and tree services, your trees can easily get sick and even die.

Weeds

Weeds are the bane of anyone who owns a lawn or garden. These destructive, naturally occurring plants suck all the nutrients and energy possible out of the soil. As a result, you may notice your grass beginning to yellow and turn brown. Your trees and shrubs may also begin to suffer. All the effort you've managed to put into your garden may go to waste if weeds go uncontrolled. When you work with a lawn care specialist, they can provide your lawn with the weed maintenance it needs so that the rest of your yard doesn't suffer.

Nesting Critters

When you don't utilize proper lawn care, you're creating a breeding ground for various insects and other critters to roam. When you allow your grass to get out of control, it makes it easy for snakes and rodents to hide. Do you have pets or small children? If so, it's important to keep them safe while playing in the yard.

Poor Curb Appeal

Regardless of how much effort you've put into your home structure, if you fail to utilize that same care on your lawn, it can have a detrimental effect on your home value and overall aesthetic. Before someone sees that you have new hardwood floors or trendy colors on your latest interior paint job, they'll notice the status of your lawn. So, when they see fungus growing on trees, overgrown grass, and weeds sprouting, it tells them you aren't caring for your lawn. That won't leave a good impression on a potential appraiser or home buyer. You won't have to worry about this when you hire a lawn care expert.

As you can see, proper lawn care matters to your property. A cared-for landscape provides curb appeal, can prevent pest infestation, helps to clean the air, and can ensure weeds don't take over. Let the professionals handle the situation for you and call our team at Shelton Landscape & Maintenance for our landscaping expertise.

4 Benefits of Good Landscaping

Tue, 10 Oct 2023 13:29:00 GMT

Working with a landscaping company to ensure a beautiful yard comes with numerous benefits. You’ll enjoy the aesthetic appeal, excellent air quality, and more. These are the top reasons why more homeowners are investing in their landscaping.

1. Relaxing Retreat

Planning your landscaping carefully is the ideal way to transform your backyard from boring to beautiful. It can help you create a relaxing retreat only a few feet away. Take the time to make a zen-like area for meditation or yoga. Gardens are an excellent way to enjoy a new hobby, and a landscaping company can help install raised garden beds.

2. Aesthetic Appeal

When you invest in landscaping, you invest in beauty. The enhanced visual appeal of your backyard will instantly make you smile when you walk outside. Neighbors, friends, and family members will love coming over. Homeowners who want to sell their homes will enjoy a faster sale, too. Most buyers decide on purchasing a home before they even walk inside, making it necessary to have excellent landscaping.

3. Health Benefits

Landscaping can even help improve air quality. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, one tree produces 260 pounds of oxygen yearly. Planting a few trees is a great way to help you breathe easier while you enjoy the great outdoors. This can also help improve indoor air quality if you enjoy opening your windows. The gorgeous landscaping will make you want to spend time outside, ensuring you get the health benefits of being outdoors.

4. Energy Efficiency

You'll enjoy reduced energy costs year-round when you work with a landscaping company to plant shrubs and trees strategically. Large trees create shade, helping block the heat from the sweltering sun during hot summer months. This reduces the need for air conditioning. Shrubs planted around the house can help decrease the impact of cold wind on your home. These two work together to ensure more temperature regulation and lower utility bills.

The benefits of good landscaping will slowly improve every area of your life. For example, you’ll enjoy spending time outside, resulting in health benefits and lower stress levels. You will instantly increase curb appeal, too. Contact Shelton Landscape & Maintenance when you are ready to take your landscaping to the next level.

5 Reasons to Hire a Lawn Care Company

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 15:15:00 GMT

Hiring local lawn care services can seem unnecessary. Why pay someone to cut your grass when you can easily do it yourself? There are quite a few reasons why you should consider hiring a company to take care of the lawn instead of giving it a DIY attempt this year. Let's explore them further.

1. Efficiency

A landscaping company is likely to more efficient than a DIY project. They have an entire crew who's sole responsibility is to mow your grass, make it look clean, and finish in a timely manner. When you consider how much time you invest in doing it yourself, outsourcing this task is often a much better use of your time and money.

2. Appearance

Local lawn care services simply know how to perform landscaping tasks in a way that yields optimal results. They won't accidentally cut your grass too short or leave anything to be desired. Likewise, they won't leave your yard messy with clumps of grass everywhere. These professionals know the ins and outs of the trade, resulting in your lawn being mesmerizing every week.

3. Value

While you do pay money out of your paycheck to hire a landscaping company, the overall cost is much more affordable than doing it yourself. You won't have to buy equipment like a lawnmower or weed wacker. You'll also eliminate the expense of maintaining and running the equipment, such as gas and new blades for the mower. Finally, you have to consider how much time you would be spending doing this. If you could be enjoying your evening or weekend instead, consider how less stressed you would be if you weren't spending all your free time doing lawn care.

4. Variety

Local lawn care services are frequently utilized for weekly or bimonthly mowing. However, their skills often extend far beyond that. According to HomeAdvisor, the average U.S. lawn is over 10,800 square feet. A local lawn care company may be able to build you a deck, plant flowers in your garden, add a walkway, or install a fire pit. The crew will come with a ton of experience that you can trust to create a well-rounded landscape.

5. Landscape Management

Not only can a local lawn care company mow your grass weekly, but they can also help you maintain it. This may include planting grass seed on bald patches or trimming the hedges. A lawn care company will ensure that your property is the envy of your neighbors.

Ready to have the lawn you've been dreaming of? Give Shelton Landscape & Maintenance a call today!