Landscaping Can Improve Your Home Value

Author: Admin; Published: May 3, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Affordable Landscaping, Residential Landscape, Xeriscape; No Comments

Many homeowners care about the interior appearance of their house. This is especially true when they are trying to sell their home. A fresh coat of paint is put on the walls; the carpet is shampooed and everything is made ship-shape for a new buyer. But when it comes to the outside of the home they are not quite sure what to do. When selling a home, not only is location very important, curb appeal is important also.

Whether it is to enhance your home or business for cosmetic reasons or to make it more salable, a licensed landscaping contractor has the special training and experience needed to handle all of your landscaping needs. We can design driveways, patios or a pool area, do decking and yard grading and give you a completely personalized landscape design. We will show you how the use of a pond and bridge, pools, trees, shrubs and flowers can beautify and enhance your home and increase its value.

You may even decide to have a yard designed around using drought resistant plants and ground cover that will conserve water. This will significantly reduce your lawn care time and be more attractive to prospective buyers.

Smaller sized yards can be made to look deceivingly larger with the secrets that a great landscape contractor will know. It is a technique called “forcing the perspective”, by planting the shrub and foliage to face each other; this extends the rear of the landscape. Making the yard appear longer and wider, this adds more beauty and makes it appear interesting.

An experienced landscape company can do wonders for your landscape. They can correct any existing problems and be able to show you problems that are not so apparent. Trees that are in need of pruning or removal, for example. Shrubbery that needs to be cut down. Irrigation problems that should be fixed. It is amazing how removing an old dying tree or manicuring the yard will dramatically improve the look of the yard. This will increase the curb appeal and value of your home, should you ever decide to sell it. This is why it is very important to choose the right contractor for the job.

Busy homeowners who care about the external appearance of their home as much as they do the interior can turn to a landscaping contractor for design ideas and to handle outdoor projects.

Few homeowners are savvy as to the best way to enhance landscape features using contour lighting, uplighting, grazing, moonlighting, or backlighting techniques. A licensed landscape contractor, however, knows how to exploit the benefits of low voltage lighting features.

Hiring a landscape contractor to help you get your home ready for sale is a smart move and will help you improve your curb appeal.

At Hilltop’s urging, TransCore gets double xeriscape rebates

Author: Victor Rodriguez; Published: Apr 22, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Commercial Landscape, Drainage, Irrigation Systems, Xeriscape; No Comments

Click image for gallery

TransCore’s Amtech Technology & Manufacturing Facility broke ground on a water-saving project that will convert 23,600 square feet of steeply-sloped turf to a xeriscape. The project qualifies for the Water Authority’s X2 Double Rebate Program. It will save an estimated 600,000-750,000 gallons of water a year, as well as reduce the company’s water bills by approximately $36,000 over an estimated three years. Construction is expected to be complete by early May.

Art De La Cruz, chair of the Water Authority Board, congratulated TransCore for being the first business to take advantage of the X2 Double Rebate Program. “In an average year, the Water Authority gives rebates for replacement of more than 400,000 square feet of high-water-use turf. By focusing on slopes, which can use two to three times more water than flatter landscapes, and small areas, which are very hard to water due to overspray, we hope to encourage local businesses to help us save even more water in this very dry year by addressing these challenging areas. The TransCore project alone will save the Water Authority enough water to meet the annual needs of seven to eight homes for an entire year,” De La Cruz explained.

The project was recommended by The Hilltop Landscape Architects & Contractors, which installed the original turf and storm drainage areas in front of TransCore in 1993. “ When we learned about the Water Authority’s double rebate program, we thought it was the perfect time for TransCore to install a water-conserving landscape that would assist the Albuquerque community’s need to conserve water,” said Victor Rodriguez, maintenance division manager of The Hilltop.

The steeply-sloped turf in front of TransCore’s Albuquerque facility requires more water than flat areas to remain healthy and consumes approximately 50 percent of the company’s outdoor water use. Irrigation alone accounts for 83 percent of the facility’s total water use every year.

Joe Viola, director of manufacturing for TransCore explained, “When Hilltop approached us with an attractive xeriscaping plan that would preserve our existing trees, incorporate a more efficient irrigation system, and, with the cost savings, would pay for the upfront investment, we realized now was the time to make the change. We hope other local businesses will make a similar commitment to Albuquerque’s water conservation.”

TransCore will also qualify for entry into the Water Authority’s contest for commercial xeriscape conversions judged on design and water-saving potential. Award prizes include $12,000 in rebates on water bills for first place, $8,000 in rebates for second place, and $5,000 in rebates for third place.

The new xeric landscaping installed will feature low-water use plants and shrubs such as Mountain Mahogany, Sumac, Bear Grass, Buffalo Juniper, Winter Jasmine, Desert Willow, and Apache Plume which, when mature, will cover about 50 percent of the area. Gray gravel and cobblestone will be used as ground cover and will tie the project into existing storm drainage areas at either end.

The landscaping conversion will preserve existing mature trees, including six Sycamores, one Purple Leaf Plum and four others. Rodriguez said the project will be enhanced by Rain Bird Corporation’s donation of a Rain Bird® ESP-SMT Smart Control System. “This system combines simplicity through Extra Simple Programming (ESP) with the ability to control irrigation based on weather conditions as well as pre-determined settings,” he explained,

“The X2 Program is a great example of private businesses working with the Water Authority to conserve our most precious resource. The double rebates and contest go a long way to encourage businesses to make the change now. We are glad to be able to participate,” Rodriguez said.

The X2 Double Rebate Xeriscape program and contest allows eligible commercial Water Authority customers to earn a double rebate (a water bill credit of $1.50 for every square foot) of steeply sloped or small area high-water-use turf converted to low-water-use plantings through October 31, 2011. For more information, visit www.abcwua.org or call The Hilltop at  898-9690.

Double rebates for commercial landscapes converted to xeriscape!

Author: Carrie Johnson; Published: Mar 11, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Landscape Maintenance, Special Offer, Watering, Xeriscape; No Comments

A view from above. Green rectangles. Watered regularly. Fertilized, aerated, inspected daily for spring green. Once lush, taller than 2” or so—what happens to the lush green growth? We cut it! Bag it. Toss it. Week after week, spring through fall. *sigh*

Sounds like a plot to a nonsensical movie; one that never seems to get to the point or leaves you wondering ‘what just happened’? What did just happen? A lot of hard work and then you get to look at a yellow crispy rectangle through winter, until we start it all again.

Stop the madness, I say!

Don’t get me wrong, having a lawn in your front yard or in front of the snazzy retail center that has your favorite coffee-stop is lovely to look at, but what is the purpose? Is it worth the cost of water and maintenance? Lawn does use a lot of water, and it’s simply not practical in all scenarios.

How about converting that unused lawn into a gorgeous xeriscape, one that does have purpose:

• butterflies, hummingbirds and bumblebees have a food source
• run-off water from roof and sidewalk has an area to collect and absorb back into the earth (instead of sheeting and flooding the neighboring property)
• visual interest via evergreens and seasonal flowering shrubs, along with sculptural hardscapes
• lower water bill
• utility bill rebate

Wait—what was that? Rebate? The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) not only has a rebate program, but right now is giving out Double Rebates for commercial customers! “Double rebates” means you receive water bill credits of $1.50 per sq. foot of qualifying landscape. All landscapes must be  inspected and approved by the Water Utility Authority prior to conversion.

Additionally, your commercial project could win a Xeriscape contest with a $12,000 grand prize, $8,000 runner-up, and $5,000 third place, credited against your water bill. Xeriscapes will be judged on design and water-saving potential. The Hilltop can help you with both of those criteria, putting your business or organization in the running for the grand prize.

Visit abcwua.org or download the flyer for more information.

The Hilltop designs English garden with southwestern and oriental influences

Author: Guest Author; Published: Mar 7, 2011; Category: Residential Landscaping; Tags: Affordable Landscaping, Landscape Design, Residential Landscape, Xeriscape; No Comments

Japanese Maple

This is a guest post by Hilltop client Christine Lockhart of Albuquerque. We’re pleased to have customers who will recommend us to others.

Last year we decided that our very boring back yard needed a make over. After receiving several recommendations, I approached The Hilltop and met with landscape architect Doug Bishop to discuss options. The  vision I had was of an English courtyard garden with southwestern and oriental influences. In particular, I wanted xeriscaping incorporated and easy-maintenance raised flower beds, as well as pavers as far as possible. My husband wanted a fire-pit and a more defined entertainment area. Of course, budget was also a key factor as well as being sympathetic to the natural surroundings and southwestern location.

Within a few weeks, Doug came back to me with a landscape plan. I was so impressed, as he had incorporated every element of my brief into an easy to read plan, and he took the time to answer any questions I had. We met again at The Hilltop’s office, where Doug took the time to show me different plants and offer advice about plants best suited for the project. Best of all, Doug was budget-aware and considerate of my concerns about over-planting and utilized existing plants as far as possible.

The project started a couple of weeks after we had agreed the plan. Victor, the project lead, was absolutely delightful to work with. He and his crew were careful and diligent in the removal of existing landscape and installation of the new. Victor touched base with me every day to brief me on any updates. He had solutions for the very few unforeseen circumstances, which he and Doug would discuss with me before implementing, and all at no extra cost.

The result is a beautiful courtyard garden with the southwestern influence of a fire pit and xeriscaping. The most beautiful Japanese maple tree and potted bamboo satisfies the oriental element I sought. Flower beds and a subtle mix of pavers and concrete make for aesthetically pleasing easy maintenance while creating more defined and useable areas for entertaining and relaxing.

Overall, the whole landscape project was one of the best renovations we have undertaken. The emphasis on communication from both Doug and Victor was key to the success but ultimately we now have a garden that we can enjoy year round and are proud to entertain in. We will most definitely be using The Hilltop again when the time comes to landscape the front garden.

Xeriscape conversion made simple for Albuquerque homeowners

Author: Nicolas Carpenter; Published: Mar 4, 2011; Category: Xeriscape; Tags: Affordable Landscaping, Spring, Xeriscape; No Comments

Are you tired of mowing your lawn or paying your neighbor’s kid to do a “less than perfect job”? Maybe your lawn has dry, dead spots or grubs, and doesn’t look as nice as it did years ago.

Now is the time to remove high water use plants and lawn and convert your lawn into a low water use landscape, because it can earn a substantial rebate in your water bill from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority. We’ve been helping customers meet the requirements for xeric rebates, making sure they qualify for the largest rebate possible, for as little cost as possible.

The guidelines are these:

1. A minimum of 500 square feet of lawn needs to be removed to meet the minimum requirement.
2. A maximum of 2,000 square feet can be removed from a residential property.
3. You must replace 50% of the high water use area with plants and 3” of gravel or mulch.
4. Albuquerque Bernalillo County offers a maximum of 75 cents for every square foot of lawn removed.

And of course, there is paperwork. We make it as easy as possible for our customers, filling out all your paperwork, with the exception of your signature. Once you receive your xeriscape packet from The Hilltop review it, and put your signature on it, all you need to do is call The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority and set up a meeting with a Xeriscape Inspector.

Once your landscaping is completed you will make another phone call to the inspector so he or she can apply the rebate to your water bill. Depending on the amount of lawn taken out you might not have to pay your water bill for months.