Frequently Asked Questions
WHO HIRES A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR?
Homeowners who are interested in cultivating a creative outdoor living space that complements their home and lifestyle, while providing year-round enjoyment. Rental/Investment Property Owners who are upgrading existing properties in order to increase rental and/or occupancy rates, improve curb appeal and reduce maintenance needs of the landscape.
WHAT SHOULD A CLIENT OF ANTHONY’S MASONRY EXPECT?
You should expect a consultative, solutions-oriented approach to your project. You should expect to work with people who are personable, down-to-earth, and easy to talk with. We love what we do, so we truly enjoy hearing about your goals, and sharing our knowledge and ideas on how to achieve them. You should expect a detailed design and estimate before we begin, courteous staff for the duration of your project, and a Mason you can be proud of when we’re through.
WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?
Your landscape is an extension of your home and of you, the homeowner. Therefore, we believe that the style of any patio, driveway, wall or garden should ultimately draw on the architecture of the home and the lifestyle of the people who live there. We spend time getting to know our clients and understanding their preferences and their needs. Then, we strive to add value through innovative, property-enhancing solutions and creative design ideas. It’s exciting to see your ideas and our expertise come together on paper in the design sketches. This phase of your project is something to be enjoyed by everyone. We also understand that over the years you may add features or use the space in a different way. We consistently look at the “big picture” of a property to ensure that current projects will not only maximize the space for today’s uses, but are flexible enough to accommodate future phases.
HOW MUCH DO YOUR SERVICES COST?
Projects vary in cost based upon the complexity of the plan and the materials needed to bring the plan to life. Our initial consultation and site assessment is free. We’ll visit your home, listen to your goals and ideas, and discuss possibilities for making the most of your property. We will also provide detailed estimates for bringing the plan to completion.
HOW MUCH SHOULD I BUDGET FOR NEW LANDSCAPING?
One of the most difficult aspects of any home improvement endeavor is knowing how much to spend on the project. Because attractive landscaping will increase your home’s value, and dramatically enhance your use and enjoyment of your property, some sources recommend investing 10% of your home’s present value on landscaping. The fact is, a good landscape designer can help you achieve significant improvements on virtually any size budget. The important thing is to decide ahead of time what your budget is, and discuss this with your designer so that they can design for that amount.
HOW SOON CAN A JOB BE INSTALLED?
Once we begin a project, our team remains on task until it’s completed (in other words, we try to avoid a “stop and start” approach if at all possible.) Of course, our work schedule is often dependent on the cooperation of the weather.
DO YOU INSTALL YOUR OWN WORK OR DO YOU HIRE SUB-CONTRACTORS?
We install all of our own work in the areas of “hardscape” (driveways, walkways, patios, retaining walls). This achieves consistent quality and continuity of style throughout your project.
IS THERE A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING STAMPED CONCRETE, BRICK PAVERS, OR NATURAL STONE FOR MY PROJECT? WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
Many of the most common landscape components are “hardscape” features…driveways, walkways, retaining walls, patios and pools. While there are those who advocate stamped concrete as a lower-cost alternative to brick or stone, it has many disadvantages in the long term. (See The Truth about Pavers vs. Stamped Concrete). We prefer to use pavers whenever possible, and also have extensive experience working with natural stone.
WHAT SIZE PROPERTIES DO YOU WORK WITH?
We have conceived and installed designs from small front walkways and poolside patios to a comprehensive site plan for over an acre of backyard gardens recommendations while also