Make A Good Impression

As the old saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression. Savvy homeowners know that their yards make an impression every day—on visitors, friends, family and the whole. But even if you’re not overly concerned with looks, a well-done landscape can put money in your pocket. A recent study reported the costs of landscaping had a recovery value of at least 100 percent and up to 200 percent, which compares to a recovery value of 70 to 125 percent for a kitchen and 80 to 120 percent for a bathroom remodel. So, if you need to spruce things up a bit, or even add some new features that will expand living space for you and your family, here are some tips from the California Landscape Contractors Association to get your project off on the right foot.

Hire a licensed contractor. 

If the price of your job is $500 or more (including costs of labor and materials), state law requires that the person or company doing the job be licensed by the Contractors State License Board. One of the best ways to choose a contractor is to use the Contractor Search feature on the CLCA website at www.clca.org. 

Once you have a list of prospective contractors and have your initial meetings, ask to visit jobs each contractor has completed. If possible, talk to the homeowners and ask if their expectations were met. Also ask your contractor about liability and workers’ compensation insurance. In fact, CLCA recommends that you ask to see written proof of insurance policies. 

Make a checklist. 

Some time before you meet with your contractor, take a tour of your yard, and make a list of improvements or features you want to add. If you like to entertain outdoors, for example, consider an outdoor kitchen-one of today’s hottest amenities. 

Fountains and water features are among the most popular landscape features today. Many contractors have stunning photographs of the features they’ve created, so ask to take a look. And because a picture is worth a thousand words, showing your contractor photos you collect from books and magazines is a great way to convey your ideas and priorities.

Be sure to take a look at a number of projects before you settle on the contractor to install rock or stone. There can be a huge difference in the quality of the work and craftsmanship from mason to mason. Some masons do mostly brick and concrete, and others are experts at using natural stone. 

Keep up the good work. 

A good plan will include a professionally installed, inground irrigation system with automatic timer. Be sure to ask your contactor about the latest water-conserving devices.

For more Information contact CLCA at (916) 830-2780. Or, visit them online at www.clca.org.