gta-hardscaping

11 Things to Consider Before Installing an above ground pool

zacknilser@gmail.com (Zack Nilser) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 19:44:53 GMT

11 Things to Consider Before Installing an above ground pool

Like many, you’re probably dreaming about having your own swimming pool in your backyard. After all, it is an amazing thing to be able to go swimming whenever you want. No more public pools. People often call us up asking when we can bring one of our fiberglass pools and put it in the ground.

The thing is, it’s not that simple. While we wish that we could simply come to your house, put a pool in the ground, and leave you a happy new pool owner, there are a lot of steps that you have to take before this dream can become a reality. At River Pools, we specialize in manufacturing and installing fiberglass swimming pools across the United States, but in this article, we’ll cover the first steps that every homeowner needs to take before getting any type of inground swimming pool.

Your Ultimate Pool Planning Checklist

1. Go outside and check for wires running over your backyard For safety reasons, your pool cannot be installed or built under any overhead wires (electrical and other utilities). These may need to be rerouted, if possible, at your own expense before you can put a pool in your yard.

2. Check for utility lines running under your property It’s easy to see what’s above your property, but it’s another thing to figure out what’s underneath it. Luckily, the plans for your home should tell you if there are water, sewer, gas, electrical, or any other utility lines running under your backyard. These may also need to be rerouted before getting an inground pool, depending on the space that you have to work with. You also need to verify whether you’re over a drain field or leach field. We recommend that you make a free 811 call before you dig to confirm what’s under the ground as not every line or utility will be listed in your plans. Where to get this information: Contact your local records or planning office to get a copy of your home’s plans, or ask your real estate agent.

3. Choose a spot that’s at least 100 feet from any body of water If you live near a lake, ocean, river, or any other large body of water, you should know that you probably can’t build or install a swimming pool within 100 feet of it. The water table could be way too high for an inground swimming pool, so you’ll need to pick another spot.

4. Assess the terrain of your yard If it’s flat, you should be okay as far as the terrain goes. If, however, you’re on a hill, you might need to have your ground reshaped or build retaining walls before you can put in a pool. Retaining walls basically keep your pool from shifting and sliding in the ground. They increase the cost of the project (by $7,000 to $20,000), but you really don’t want your pool sliding down the hill into your neighbor’s yard. Yep, it’s possible and it’s very expensive to fix.

5. Check for any easements on your property You won’t be allowed to build a pool or any other permanent structure on an easement, so be sure to find out where any easements are early on. Where to get this information: Check with your city or county records offices, or contact the utility companies directly.

6. Find out the setback requirements in your area This is the amount of space that needs to be between your pool and the edges of your property. The setback requirements can make a slight difference in the pool size that you’re allowed to have, so this step should come before making any design plans or buying a pool shell. Where to get this information: Your city or county development services should be able to provide you with your area’s setback rules.

7. Check whether your yard is part of a wildlife or research protection zone It may not be obvious whether your property sits on a protected area. If it does fall into a protected zone, you may have to take some additional steps before you can get a pool. For example, you may need to go through an approval process, or your property may need to be surveyed before authorities can decide if and where a pool can be placed. Where to get this information: Contact the appropriate organizations to find out if any residential areas in your neighborhood are under protection.

8. Verify whether your home is in a historic district You probably already know if you live in a historic neighborhood (street signs are often marked differently), but if you’re unsure, it would be a good idea to check. If your home is located in a historic district and is classified as a historic home, you need to find out your city’s policy on installing swimming pools in these areas. You will likely need to get approval from your city’s historical district committee before moving forward. What to ask for: Contact your city or county’s historic preservation department and ask for a map of all historic neighborhoods, or verify your home’s status.

9. Check whether there is enough room for the building equipment to enter your yard We’re talking dump trucks, skid steers, concrete mixers, and other heavy equipment. You may even need to tear down part of a perimeter fence or wall for this and rebuild it when the job is done. If you can’t get the big equipment through, your contractor may rely on smaller machinery, but you can expect the job to take a bit longer.

10. Find out what the pool enclosure requirements are in your area Depending on your city or state, you might need to leave room in your budget for fencing and pool covers. You may have a long way to go before you’ll need to install them, but they will be necessary to keep your family and the people in your neighborhood safe once your pool is in the ground. Where to get this information: You can contact your local city hall to request your city’s pool enclosure requirements. As an initial reference, take a look at the International Residential Code section on swimming pools.

11. Decide how you’re going to finance your pool Knowing how you will pay for your pool is a major step in the process and it should be taken care of early on. Even if you have checked off all of the items above (yay!), you can’t start building until you have secured a means to finance the project (and don’t overlook other expenses like pool insurance).

10 Eco-Friendly ways to Renovate your home

zacknilser@gmail.com (Zack Nilser) — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 16:53:24 GMT

10 Eco-Friendly ways to Renovate your home

1. Buy reclaimed

Don’t get caught up with having to have the newest and shiniest. Think about other materials like reclaimed wood which is not only an environmentally sound choice, but sublimely handsome and growing in popularity in all sorts of home renovation projects. Reclaimed wood is a great choice for counter-tops, flooring, and walls. One CKD (certified kitchen designer) recently used reclaimed wood around a kitchen hood. In the end, you will save time, money and energy that would be required to produce a similar and newer product.

2. Deconstruct your home –

don’t demolish it! If you plan on tearing down walls or even knocking down entire rooms, walk around your home first to see what you can salvage and re-use beforehand. Not only is this eco-friendly, but it will save money in the end. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! Most likely there is a ton of material you can salvage and re-use. Consider everything from light fixtures, to flooring, tile, bricks, cabinets and molding. If you plan on replacing the chandelier in your dining room, instead of tossing it, think about using it in another room – maybe your kitchen, your daughter’s bedroom, even a bathroom!

3. Donate your unwanted items.

So you really don’t want that dining room chandelier in any other room. Don’t toss it, instead bring it to Goodwill or a consignment shop. Perhaps you even have a crafty friend who might enjoy repainting and re-purposing it. Another great option for your chandelier, as well as other items like appliances and cabinets, is Habitat for Humanity. Not only do they welcome all unwanted materials, but they sell all donations and 100% of the proceeds from these materials are used to build new homes for the underprivileged. With this in mind, not only are you being environmentally friendly, but you are truly giving back to the community.

4. Think energy-efficient

When you are shopping around for new appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and ovens look for those that are the most energy efficient. These products have the Energy Star logo right on them and will give you all the information you need. Many of these large appliances, especially the upscale refrigerators, generate a lot of electricity. For many people these high-end appliances are not only cost prohibitive initially, but they will end up costing a great deal more to run as well.

5. Consider buying pre-owned materials

Habitat for Humanity is one such retailer, but there are many across the country, some even specialize in high-end products. This can be a great and cost-effective way to redo your home. If, in the end, that SubZero fridge is an absolute must have, you could save thousands of dollars buying one that has been used for a couple of years. Cabinets may be the largest expense of a kitchen renovation, these salvage shops often have high quality cabinets in fabulous condition. It’s an idea certainly worth investigating.

6. Re-face instead of replace

As I just mentioned, the greatest expense of any kitchen remodel may very well be your cabinets. Instead of replacing them altogether, consider repainting them or simply refacing them. Most likely your cabinets are in great conditions. New doors and drawers can give seemingly tired cabinets a whole new life!

7. Use low voc paints

Low voc paints are earth-friendly and better for you and your family. Benjamin Moore, for example, a leader in paint technology and innovation since 1883, offers their Natura No-Voc Paint. This paint is practically odorless, 100% acrylic and splatter resistant. It’s self priming and carries the “Green to Promise” designation. Best of all the Natura line is available in every Benjamin Moore color!

8. Insulate Choose a high quality insulation.

The better insulated your home is, the better it is protected from the elements. Your home will stay warmer in the wintertime, allowing you to keep your thermostat at a lower setting, and cooler during those hot summer months.

9. Let the sun shine in!

Many people are starting to consider solar energy when remodeling their homes. Solar energy can impact you heating bill as well. Skylights and solar panels are known to keep energy costs down. They can be used to heat, or help heat a home, and often give enough power for small items like fountains to run.

10. Visit salvage yards and antique shops

Antique shops and consignment shops are great places to visit for items such as doorknobs, light fixtures and even mantels. Not only does this help your bottom line, but these repurposed items will add a charm and warmth to your home that simply cannot be replicated by their newer counterparts. In the end, choosing to renovate your home in an eco-friendly manner not only helps the environment but allows you to do so while giving back to your community while saving some serious money.at’s not to like about being environmentally savvy when it comes to your home?

Sustainable Building

Mon, 02 May 2022 15:30:48 GMT

Sustainable Building: A Beginner’s Guide to Energy Efficient Home

Sustainable buildings go by many names: green buildings, green construction, and energy-efficient buildings, to name just a few. Whatever moniker you use, a sustainable building’s overarching goal is the same: to protect the planet, people, and pocketbook (or profit) through sustainable methods. In short, a sustainable building aims to have as minimal an environmental impact as possible.

In this guide, you’ll learn how developers, architects, and engineers are reimagining building techniques with sustainable buildings. You’ll also discover how reducing the environmental impact of buildings can help tackle climate change and lower harmful greenhouse gas emissions that impact all of us.

Why Do We Need Sustainable Buildings?

Buildings and the building construction sector combined consume more than one-third of all the world’s energy demands and are responsible for almost 40% of the planet’s direct and indirect carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Energy-related CO2 emissions from buildings have risen 5% from 2010 to 2019, and buildings were responsible for 28% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019.

Between the years 2000 and 2019, global energy demand increased by almost 48%. In 2019, renewable energy provided only 14.5% of energy demand while oil provided 33.1% of our energy needs, the largest sector among fossil fuels’ enormous 84.3% contribution to energy provision.

These demands drive climate change and bring warmer temperatures, creating a vicious circle of extra energy demand for heating and air conditioning in our already energy-hungry buildings.

What Is a Sustainable Building?

There are no specific, regulated measures for what construes a sustainable building or sustainable architecture, but there are industry-respected accreditations and certificates to guide people. What is clear is that the construction industry must meet the 21st-century’s need for sustainability.

Sustainable or green buildings reduce their environmental impact and effect on human health through:

● Efficient use of energy, water, and other resources.

● Protecting the building dweller’s health and, in commercial buildings, the worker’s productivity.

● Reducing waste and pollution.

● Preventing environmental damage and loss, including citing considerations.

Ways to achieve this include fewer new buildings (e.g., keeping any new construction as small as possible), avoiding urban sprawl, and refitting existing buildings where possible.

Architects look at recycling wastewater, environmental and indoor air quality, and the building’s structural, operational, and maintenance efficiency. They also consider how green buildings harmonize with their surroundings, where materials come from, and generating onsite renewable energy.

What Are Some Features of a Sustainable Building?

Sustainable buildings usually implement many of the same ideas that are then tailored to their ecosystem and landscape. A sustainable mountain house in the north of Norway has different sustainability requirements than a sustainable coastal home in Florida.

Architects take into account the building’s placement, orientation, and function when considering the following green building features:

Renewables: Solar panels, solar water heating, wind turbines, small hydropower schemes, and air or ground heat pumps reduce a building’s reliance on fossil fuel-produced energy. Some installations can use localized geothermal energy to heat water and buildings.

Natural light: Double-glazed windows allow homes to warm up via natural sunlight, and designs can incorporate as much natural light as possible, reducing energy use. Awnings, blinds, and shutters can keep the sun out in warmer climates, keeping the building cooler.

Low impact building materials: Alternatives to concrete or asphalt can lower the building’s carbon footprint and be more environmentally friendly to watercourses.

Water: Recycling and reuse of greywater onsite and composting toilets can reduce water usage.

Insulation: Window placement can help with natural ventilation, and a well-ventilated house is key to energy conservation.

Landscaping: There are many imaginative uses of the local landscape that can help cool or warm buildings. For example, deciduous trees block the summer sun to keep buildings cool, then let sunshine in during winter months to warm them. Similarly, pine trees can protect homes from cold winds, and buildings close to bodies of water can keep homes cool.

Size: Keeping homes as compact as possible reduces energy use compared to large, sprawling buildings.

These are some of the ways sustainable buildings make the most of their surroundings and materials — let’s have a more detailed look.

The 6 Fundamental Principles of Sustainable Building Design

There are six fundamental principles in sustainable design that underpin the three Ps — people, planet, and profit/pocketbook. These elements help create the win-win-win aspect of well-implemented green buildings. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the specialized agency of the United Nations for information and communication technologies, offers the following guidelines for sustainable building.

1. Optimal Size Potential

A sustainable building starts with proper site selection and includes looking at the reuse or reformation of existing buildings. Consideration about location, orientation, and how the structure affects local ecosystems is vital — wildlife, soil composition, watercourses, and even airborne particles are just a few factors.

New homes are best built in already urbanized areas. Building in green or wilderness regions can encourage sprawl and have a large carbon footprint due to taking materials to remote areas, possible road building, and further infrastructure creation. Architects should take care to support native fauna and flora, regulate storm-water systems, and take into account the effects of light pollution.

A sustainable building also needs to blend in with its natural and possibly historic area. If building a larger campus, electric cars, bicycles, and public transport should take precedence over fossil fuel-based transport modes.

2. Water Efficiency

Freshwater is an increasingly scarce resource, so a building should be as water-efficient as possible. Sustainable construction should reuse and recycle onsite water as much as possible, and integrate water-efficient landscaping. It should also implement eco-friendly wastewater management technologies, such as greywater for showers, flushing toilets, and washing. If a new, remote home doesn’t have a fresh water supply, the carbon footprint for pumping water to it will be very high, and taking water from a local stream or brook has knock-on effects for wildlife.

3. Optimize Energy Use

Sustainable development should reduce overall energy use to lower operating costs as we continue on the road to net-zero energy in buildings. This includes everything from onsite renewable energy production to ensuring all appliances are energy efficient. Energy Star is an excellent starting point for energy efficiency tips. It’s important to note that some natural materials have higher total emissions than manufactured options, albeit it’s a complex calculation.

In the U.S., more than half the energy used in a home is on heating and air conditioning; careful attention to water heating, ventilation, and insulation can help sustainable buildings lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Materials and Resources

In 1950, the world population was an estimated 2.6 billion. By 2050, the U.N. anticipates it will be almost four times that, at 9.7 billion. Natural resource consumption will increase and put pressure on supplies. The construction industry is an energy-intensive one, from material extraction to manufacture, transport, and building.

A sustainable building should use and reuse materials as productively and sustainably as possible throughout its lifetime. Materials should not deplete resources, create negative environmental impacts, or use virgin materials. Developers should choose recycled options where appropriate, ideally from local, certified, sustainable sources to lower the building’s carbon footprint. Reusing materials also means less construction waste for landfill sites.

5. Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building focuses on enhancing the well-being of its occupants. To use an analogy, there are many cacti in Texas, but they wouldn’t make great sofas. So even if IEQ were to consider cacti an abundant local material, it doesn’t really matter if its use isn’t apt or beneficial.

The IEQ’s remit is to ensure construction materials — sealants, paints, insulation, adhesives, etc. — do not emit toxins, which are known as volatile organic compounds (VOC). Low-emitting compounds do not harm the dweller’s health and comfort.

IEQ stretches to providing adequate ventilation, optimizing the use of natural light (daylighting), acoustics, and easy or smart lighting and heating systems.

6. Maintenance and Operation

A life cycle assessment (LCA) ensures that good design coupled with well-chosen materials will create greater energy conservation during a building’s lifetime.

Picking the best site for a building, selecting materials that require less water and less maintenance all help reduce the building’s running costs and environmental impact over its lifetime. The ability for off-site recycling is essential, too.

Another consideration is the building envelope: the roof, exterior walls, subfloor, exterior doors, and windows of a building. There are two types — loose and tight.

Loose building envelopes tend to allow air to flow more freely through the building while tight controls restrict airflow. Choosing the correct building envelope for the location can make maintenance easier and lower energy use significantly. For example, it can keep houses cooler in warmer climes through adequate ventilation.

What Types of Materials Are Used in Sustainable Buildings?

There are a wide variety of sustainable materials used in green and sustainable buildings.

Insulation could be recycled cork (Thermacork), straw bales, sheep wool, recycled denim, or cellulose (recycled newsprint and paper). Hemp, soya, and many more natural insulation options also exist.

For the structure, timber is sourced from sustainably-harvested forests. Bamboo is increasingly popular thanks to its fast growth and great strength despite its lightweight frame. Hong Kong constructors still use bamboo scaffolding when building skyscrapers.

Other low-impact building materials include using packed gravel or permeable concrete instead of conventional concrete. Bark from trees that used to be burned now makes bark siding or cladding and can last many decades.

Rammed earth walls are made from a mix of gravel, sand, and other aggregates, making durable floors, walls, and foundations, as seen in parts of the Great Wall of China. They make great thermal storage, warming in the day and releasing heat at night. Some building sites are situated where required material exists, so builders can use local and earth and stone for the project.

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are two boards that sandwich insulating foam, offering energy-efficient, insulated, prefabricated walls that can be made to almost any design. While not instantly sustainable in aspect, they offer a low carbon footprint per square foot of build.

On the roof, Tesla offers solar roof tiles instead of solar panels, ideal for urban buildings. Green roofs — a layer of vegetation growing on a roof — can improve insulation, reduce pollution, save energy, and improve life quality.

As mentioned, some paints do not use volatile organic compounds (VOC), reducing the toxins in a building’s interior.

High-performance smart glass helps regulate a building’s temperature. When it’s warm, the windows become translucent and block certain rays of the sun to help keep the place cool; in winter, they allow those rays in, warming the building. Some brands can even tint or operate at the flick of a switch.

There’s a wide range of sustainable building solutions across the world, tailored to local needs. It may not be that long until Texans (and other desert areas) can get that cactus sofa once someone figures out how to make it a comfortable material!

Why Are People Interested in Green Buildings?

Rachel Carson’s environmental book “Silent Spring” caught people’s imagination when published in 1962, discussing humankind’s impact on the planet and how their future intertwined.

Since then, interest has grown in renewable energy sources, how we use natural resources, and the carbon footprint of the fossil fuels we use for energy. Politicians often talk of net-zero energy targets, energy efficiency, and building back better after the COVID-19 pandemic. As people spend more time at home, indoor quality of life has become as important as outside the home.

Does Anyone Regulate Sustainable Buildings?

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was established to help create better buildings with people and nature in mind and bring the entire country’s industry aboard.

Within five years, the USGBC had become LEED. The LEED certification program is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system. Its core principle was a desire to create energy-saving buildings with sustainability in mind, spanning people, architects, and the construction industry. In November 2001, the Philip Merrill Environmental Center in Annapolis became the world’s first to receive a LEED platinum ranking.

Any building project can achieve LEED certification if it meets the prerequisites for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, resource and material selections, and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

Other certificate systems confirming a building’s sustainability include:

● BREEAM (U.K.)

● DGNB System (Germany)

● World Green Building Council

● Green Star (Australia)

● Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) in the Middle East

The Growth in Sustainable Buildings

There are some incredible LEED-certified sustainable buildings across the world. According to the LEED website, there are more than 100,000 buildings in the United States with LEED certification and more than 130,000 worldwide.

They range from schools to pond visitor centers to large hotel complexes, with social housing blocks in the U.K. also winning awards for their green building credentials. Many people now ask for sustainability to be built into their new homes and workplaces, too.

Our buildings are where we use the most energy, and our hunger for power continues unabated. More people are becoming aware of the potential with sustainable building and the positive impact it can have on the environment, our health, and our pocketbook. There is hope a sustainable building revolution can start to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Top 3 Benefits of Interlocking

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 17:00:13 GMT

If you're looking for a way to mix up the scenery in your back yard, spruce up your front entrance or add more curb appeal, consider interlocking. The stones provide a unique, natural and durable material for building walkways, patios and garden walls. The look of natural stone is timeless and with its durability it can be a great investment. Interlocking stone offers the benefits of traditional stones without the hassle. Here are the top 3 benefits to choose interlocking.

1) Environmentally Sustainable

It uses less energy than other materials such as cement, or wood to be made. The most important of which is that they are made from natural materials so they do not require any processing before use, making them environmentally friendly! It also creates an organic feel to the space that you are designing which will make your property more unique.

2) Low Maintenance

Interlocking brick pavers are virtually maintenance-free, which saves time and energy. If there is damage in the pavement or a patio, only the damaged bricks need to be replaced not having to redo entire paving in comparison to an asphalt. On top of that, stones are incredibly durable and will last you a lot longer.

3) The Design Options and Styles are Endless
There are a multitude of colours, shapes and sizes to choose from that can be used to create unique designs making it look one-of-a kind! It definitely can get overwhelming, but you can be assured we can help choose the right stone for you!

Interlocking offers you endless design possibilities to create an aesthetically pleasing outdoor space that will last for years. The natural beauty of stone is undeniable. With its durability and timeless look, it can be a great investment to your home or garden design. Contact us today and we'll help you design your dream patio or walkway using natural stone so you can enjoy these enduring materials for generations to come.

Planning a Landscaping Budget

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 20:16:32 GMT

Planning a Landscaping Budget

The landscape budget is one of the most important parts of any landscape design project. It is imperative that homeowners have a realistic expectation when it comes to how much their project will cost, and they should be prepared for potential surprises that could increase the price tag. Thankfully, there are many ways to save money on your next landscaping project so you can get started on creating your dream space without breaking the bank.

Initial step is to identify the specific goals and requirements of your landscape project. Once this has been done, you need to decide how much money you want to spend on these projects and what timeframe you have in mind. Do some research into different budgets before deciding what's right for you. Consider the financial implications of various projects such as whether the new outdoor space will generate more value than what it costs and how long it will take to recoup the cost from either increased rent or selling price.

Determine what you want your finished product to look like and identify potential costs by researching similar projects or talking with contractors about their rates and fees. Look into stones, and their prices through manufacturers or contractors themselves. Do your own estimate with labor costs (this includes both skilled tradesmen and unskilled laborers) based on the number of hours needed for the job as well as their hourly wage rate, which should be included in any estimate given by contractors or subcontractors.

So now that you know the basics, it's time to start thinking about your goals and requirements. What do you want from this landscape project? How much money are you willing to spend on these projects in total? These questions will help determine how long it will take for your landscape designs to pay off financially. If all of this sounds intimidating and if financial considerations seem more than daunting, let us know! Our team is here to provide expert advice so that when the dust settles, we'll have helped create a budget-friendly landscape design process that meets all of your needs while still meeting deadlines and budgets.

Summer is Patio Season

Sun, 04 Jul 2021 15:10:41 GMT

Let's Get Yours Ready!

Homeowners across the country are gearing up for summertime activities, including their favorite pastime- outdoor entertaining. One of the best parts about patio season is having a place to escape from the heat with friends and family while enjoying some refreshing drinks or meals.

Your backyard is your personal oasis. It's time to start thinking about how you can make it even better this year. The long days and warm evenings, combined with festive food and drink make it a great time to enjoy your outdoor space in a whole new way. If you are looking for some tips on how to get started, we have just what you need.

We can work together with you to find the perfect stone to work with that is not only sturdy and durable, but something that works within your budget and your vision. We offer competitive pricing and pay attention to extreme detail to ensure you have a patio that will last you summers to come.

You deserve to have a beautiful backyard that's not only functional but also helps you enjoy life and spend time with your family. Whether it’s grilling out, playing croquet or setting up for an elegant dinner party, there are plenty of design elements available to help make this happen. If you want the perfect patio renovation in order to create the outdoor space of your dreams, let us know! We can provide all-inclusive construction services including excavation work and installation of hardscapes such as patios, walkways and retaining walls so you can finally get the backyard oasis that will be enjoyed by everyone who visits your home. Contact our team today for more information about how we can transform your property into something truly special.

5 Tips to help you choose the right Hardscaper for your home

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 02:41:18 GMT

When it comes time to update your outdoor space, hiring a hardscaper is one of the best ways to achieve a beautiful landscape. Here are our 5 tips on how to make sure you choose the right one! When you're looking for a hardscaper, it's important to know what to look for.

1) Good Reputation

It's crucial that the contractor is reliable and has an excellent reputation in your area of town. A reputable company is going to have reviews from other customers who have had similar projects completed by them in the past. This will provide insight into what kind of quality their workmanship provides and how well they communicate with their clients throughout the project so that both parties know what can be expected as far as cost goes.

2) Patience

Any type of outdoor building or construction project requires a lot of patience, so you need someone who can communicate well with their customers as well as keep them informed about how the process is going. As well as answer any questions you may have.

3) Flexible

You want someone who offers flexible hours and will work on your project even when the weather isn't cooperating. Someone who can work with your schedule and theirs.

4) Specialty

Figure out what kind of work they specialize in stone or solely wood? If they don’t specialize in what you’re looking for, perhaps they can help refer you if needed.

5) Years of Experience

If they have a lot of experience, then they will be able to make any project go smoothly and quickly without you having to worry about how much time or money will be involved. This is because there are many factors that can affect a project and only an experienced contractor will know how to handle them without any trouble or delays. For this reason, hiring someone with extensive knowledge in their field is imperative for homeowners who want a stress-free experience.

Luckily, GTA Hardscaping has got you covered. With over 20 years in the business we know exactly how to help our clients have their landscape visions come to life. We have a great reputation servicing the surrounding areas in the GTA and Durham region including Pickering, Ajax, Oshawa, Port Perry, Bowmanville, Scarborough, Markham and surrounding areas. We specialize in stone based landscaping and flexible when it comes to working hours to ensure you’re project is done as quick as possible.

Add Landscaping to Your Next Home Improvement Project

Fri, 26 Mar 2021 18:03:54 GMT

They say there is no place like home and that is true in the sense that a home is what you make of it.
True homeowners love to make their home the best it can be. Its not just interiors and renovations
that make the home shine, but also its exteriors. A raised stone deck can add a welcoming touch to
your property alongside pillars and lightning features. All forms of modern and classic interlocking can
be enough to change the way your home looks and feels to all who come to visit. Simple changes in

landscape can change the way homeowners view their own home address.

Nowadays, dreaming of creating your ideal outdoor project doesn't have to be such a daunting task
anymore, as landscaping is becoming more and more of routine adjustment to homeowners
everywhere. Something as simple as changing how your front yard looks can take years off your
home's facade and can allow you to add up your own signature style. Some simple ways to change a
home's exterior include redesigning patios and driveways so that anyone entering your property would

reveal a much more welcoming aesthetic.

Stone based landscaping services add that extra layer of attention to detail that homeowners tend to
look for as they look on at possible changes to their exteriors. Choosing your own hardscape material
such as pavers, permeable or natural stone will help you add your own personal touch to your home
improvement project. With the guidance of your landscaper, they can ensure your designs meet your
budget and spacing. It will also allow you stick to the picture-perfect idea of what your home could

look like so that you can make it all happen in the end.

Reshaping your backyard might be the sort of improvement that everyone in your family will come to
appreciate. When done right, home improvements such as exterior changes can add significant value
to your property. It is by far one of the most important factors in curb appeal and it definitely helps
deliver the right first impression to potential buyers. It can be argued that buyers would value a house
presentation of its exterior over other minor imperfections of its interiors. As always, it is the first
impression that really counts. Plus, it is important to remember that landscaping is the one of the few
home improvement additions that can only increase in value over time, as it is not only remarkably
self-sustainable, but can meet the needs of numerous different lifestyles. Whether you’re considering
new home upgrades, or looking for more resale value from your property, exterior landscape projects
are the way to go.

Important Things to Consider When Hiring a Landscaper

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 03:54:30 GMT

Important Things to Consider When Hiring a Landscaper

If you're considering hiring a landscaper, there are certain things you need to take into consideration in order to have the best experience. These are factors such as budget, expectations, space and types of materials that need to go into your planning. Professional landscapers with lots of experience are going to be able to help you with all of these decisions, as well as keep you informed about cost and deadlines as the project goes on.

Here are some important things to consider when hiring a landscaper:

1. Design

Understanding what you want and how you want it to look are important factors to consider when hiring a landscaper. Professional landscapers are always able to inform you about how a design is going to work for your space and will even give you helpful suggestions about which materials will work best for your desired design. It is also important to keep functionality in mind when choosing a design for your landscaping project, the best landscapers will be able to meet your expectations in design and also keep the space functional.

2. Cost

Sticking to your budget is always easier with landscaping projects if you are putting cost at the forefront of your decisions. It is always possible to stick within your budget when you understand what materials you are using and how the project is going to be done. For this, it is important that you hire a landscaper with experience on different types of projects, they are the ones who are going to be able to keep you informed on the cost of certain additions and which materials will get you the best value on your project.

3. Space

It is essential to consider the space you are working with and what projects are going to be possible within the space that you have. You should always have your landscaper assess the space before you make decisions on what you want the finished project to look like. They will be able to make helpful suggestions based on their previous experience with similar projects, as well as inform you about trends and ideas within the world of landscaping. Making sure your project fits the space is something that your landscaper will prioritize during your planning phase.

4. Time

The final thing to consider about your project is time and deadlines. It is important to set a realistic timeline with your landscaper before the project begins, especially when seasonal weather is a factor where you live. You should always be prepared for unexpected delays and conditions. Every project is different and comes with unique conditions and circumstances that a good landscaper will take into consideration and ensure timelines can be met to the best of their ability.

Hiring the right landscaper for your project is essential to ending up with a finished product that you are happy with and will continue to love for years to come. Make sure to take all of these factors into consideration when hiring a landscaper and make sure you are choosing one with professional standards and experience for the best result!