Washington County Weekend Post

4A • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 GMTODAY.COM When it comes to trans- forming your property, a landscaper can spruce things up and take care of general maintenance that may be hard for you to keep up on. Depending on where you live, you may be able to find different pricing deals based on the season, making landscaping an affordable local service to add to your home improvement plans this year. Don't forget, by hir- ing local professionals, you are feeding money back into your region. There are cer- tainly national landscaping companies across the coun- try, but choosing contractors from your neck of the woods keeps your money local. Hiring a Landscaper? When searching for land- scaping contractors, you will likely find a large range of options, from large compa- nies to small businesses. Independent contractors can offer simple services, including spreading mulch, spring planting and installing sprinkler systems. Larger companies can design and build a compre- hensive landscaping setup that transforms your entire outdoor living space and yard. Things to Consider HomeAdvisor recom- mends taking the following steps when vetting your landscaping vendor. • Evaluate your landscap- ing needs to narrow your search. • Read online reviews and ratings on independent web- sites. • Check your local news- papers in print and online for special seasonal deals. • Check credentials. • Evaluate previous experi- ence and references. Consider Your Costs The average price to install landscaping for resi- dential properties is $3,300, according to data collected by Home Advisor.com from across the country. However, that average differs significantly based on your project. Here are some examples of landscaping services to consider for your property: • Landscape curbing. • Sod installation. • Architecture services. • Laying rocks and stones. • Lawn hydroseeding or regrading. • In-ground features. Your local lawn landsca- pers should have a pricing sheet detailing their costs for each service, so be sure to assess your budget before signing any contract for work. How to Negotiate When you work with a landscaping firm or profes- sional who offers multiple services, bundling tasks could make sense for your timeline and budget. For example, you might be able to combine general land- scaping work with installa- tion of new outdoor stone steps or the buildout of a pergola. Talk with your contrac- tor to see what kinds of pric- ing breaks you can receive by bundling services togeth- er. Landscaping contractors From simple upgrades to meticulous landscaping pro- jects and replacing an out- dated roof, there are dozens of options to enhance the appearance of your home's exterior. Improvements don't need to break the bank or take a year to complete. By focusing on three simple areas, you can change the entire look of your home that you'll appreciate every time you pull into your driveway. 1. Landscaping The key to curb appeal is balancing what makes you happy with what works in your community. Take a moment to observe the types of trees, plants and flowers in your surroundings and look for ways to incorporate them into your yard. Plant- ing flowers is one of the eas- iest, most cost-effective ways to make an impact. Flowers along the sidewalk, in front of the house, inside flower boxes, pouring out of hang- ing baskets, or even in berms and raised garden beds, pro- vide a boost to your curb appeal. Exercise your cre- ativity by combining plants of different height, texture and color in the same con- tainer. By sticking to peren- nial plants native to your environment, you will not have to worry about replant- ing every year. 2. Roofing Redesigning the style and color of your roof is a dra- matic and effective strategy for improving curb appeal. "Your roof accounts for 50% of your home's exteri- or," said Stephen McNally, vice president of sales and marketing for TAMKO Building Products LLC. "Updating the shingles on your roof is going to make a huge impact on the overall appearance of your home - take advantage of it." Start by evaluating roof- ing choices for compatibility with your existing siding as well as the style of your home. If your home has a busy exterior with more than one contrasting color, try adding a classic, rustic color like TAMKO's Weath- ered Wood. If your home's exterior is a more neutral shade, try adding a vibrant colored shingle to stand out in your neighborhood. To learn more visit www.tamko. com. 3. Paint Whether you're updating your color scheme or apply- ing a fresh coat, painting is an easy way to update your home's look from the street in a big way. Depending on your budget, this project can be big or small. To make the most significant impact, con- sider painting the entire house. This will bring new life to paint that has lost its luster or possibly a new palette of color to incorpo- rate into your yard. Although this project can call for a larger investment, the result will pay off in the end. If your budget is more limited, focus on the areas that catch the eye. Give shut- ters and trim a fresh coat of paint, or paint the front door a bright shade of red or blue. You don't have to make a large investment to make a large impact. Focusing on key areas of your home's exterior will refresh the entire appearance of the home and provide a facelift that's within your reach. Homeowners only get one chance to make a first impression That's one chance to impress potential buyers, family, friends and neighbors with the first thing they see: your home's exterior

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