FAQ

WHO HIRES A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR?
WHAT SHOULD A CLIENT OF GREENSPIRE LANDSCAPING EXPECT?
WHAT IS YOUR STYLE?
HOW MUCH DO YOUR SERVICES COST?
I ALREADY KNOW WHAT I WANT. WHY DO I NEED TO PAY FOR DESIGN SERVICES?
HOW MUCH SHOULD I BUDGET FOR NEW LANDSCAPING?
WILL I GET A BIG, COLORFUL PLAN LIKE THE ONES I SEE ON THE TV SHOWS?
HOW SOON CAN A JOB BE INSTALLED?
DO YOU INSTALL YOUR OWN WORK OR DO YOU HIRE SUB-CONTRACTORS?
ARE YOU A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?
IS THERE A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN USING STAMPED CONCRETE,  BRICK PAVERS, OR NATURAL STONE FOR MY PROJECT? WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?
WHAT SIZE PROPERTIES DO YOU WORK WITH?
WHAT DOES “GREENSPIRE” MEAN?
DO YOU HAVE A NURSERY OR RETAIL OUTLET?
DO YOU SELL MULCH AND TOPSOIL?
DO YOU PROVIDE LAWN MAINTENANCE AND/OR WINTER SNOW REMOVAL?

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 GREENSPIRE LANDSCAPING 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 landscape 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.  With your approval, a designer will then create a custom site plan for your project.  This plan will include full-color sketches of recommended features, and if appropriate, plant selections.  We will also provide detailed estimates for bringing the plan to completion. These professional design services are provided for a fee of $75/hour, but are usually free when you choose Greenspire Landscaping to complete the project. (If Greenspire Landscaping is hired to complete some or all of the proposed plan, the design fee is typically deducted from the total cost of the project). 

Please contact us to discuss your needs, and to schedule an initial consultation.

I ALREADY KNOW WHAT I WANT. WHY DO I NEED TO PAY FOR DESIGN SERVICES?

Having a good sense of what you want from your new landscape is one of the most important things you can bring to your initial meeting with a landscape designer.  But getting good results is more than just knowing what you like.  It’s also about knowing what will, and what won’t, work on your property.  Is a deck the best choice for your style of home and topography, or would a raised patio deliver additional long-term benefits?  Will the plants and shrubs you choose be able to thrive in the type of soil and available sunlight your property provides?

Our training and experience allows us to know how your ideas can be best implemented within the specific parameters of your site – its environment, architecture, strengths and challenges.  The landscape designer is also familiar with municipal ordinances that may affect your plans.  The professional landscape designer’s expertise ensures that the vision you have in your mind actually comes to life and thrives for years to come. In this way, a good designer saves you more money than they cost by helping you make the most of your property, avoid costly mistakes, and get the most for your landscaping dollar.

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.

WILL I GET A BIG, COLORFUL PLAN LIKE THE ONES I SEE ON THE TV SHOWS?

Yes, you will!  Those big, colorful plans are the preliminary design sketches, which put the proposed style, features, structures, plant choices and foliage colors into a visual format.  These illustrations are the best way for a designer to help the homeowner envision the final outcome, and they are a necessary step toward a beautiful new landscape.

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.  On an average, the time from the initial consultation to final completion of the project is approximately two to three months. 

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) and “softscape” (gardens & flower beds, shrubs & trees, ponds & water features). This achieves consistent quality and continuity of style throughout your project. We do sub-contract work to electricians (for outdoor lighting, music, etc.) and irrigation system installers. In each case, we use trusted professionals with whom we have had prior experience.

ARE YOU A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?

No, we’re a team of Landscape Designers and Contractors. Landscape Architects, often schooled in engineering and architecture, typically work on projects larger than residential properties such as planning the location of buildings, roads, and public walkways.

A Landscape Designer is a professional who plans and develops landscapes at a residential or small commercial level, and has expertise in the use of plant materials and other horticultural considerations. Principle designer Jerome Edmunds has a Degree in Plant Science with an emphasis on landscape design. 

A Landscape Contractor is a professional who has advanced education, training, and specialized skills in the analysis, planning, design, management, and use of the natural and built environment.  Our team has over 50 years of combined design and installation experience, with particular expertise in installing patios, poolscapes, walkways and driveways.

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.

WHAT DOES “GREENSPIRE” MEAN?

Greenspire Landscaping is named after the Greenspire Linden tree.  Like other varieties of linden, the Greenspire has heart-shaped, dark green leaves.

DO YOU HAVE A NURSERY OR RETAIL OUTLET?

No, focus on providing Design and Installation services.  In order to use the highest quality materials while keeping our pricing competitive, we maintain long-standing relationships with several local nurseries, quarries, and brick paver suppliers and other vendors.

DO YOU PROVIDE LAWN MAINTENANCE AND/OR WINTER SNOW REMOVAL?

No, our focus is on professional Design and Installation services.  We do not employ staff for lawn care or snow removal.