October 28, 2008

An Inexpensive Retaining Wall

We just completed a very economically priced retaining wall project for a client in the Hamilton area.  Here are some pictures.

Before Before Construction

During During Construction

After 1 After Construction

After 2 Completed Wall With New Plants

September 26, 2008

Small Trees: A Great Value

Brocki_trees_3  Smaller trees can be a great value for home and business owners who need trees but are hesitant to spend a lot of money in today's uncertain economic times. 

Nurseries and growers are currently offering a wide variety of plants at discounted prices, and small trees, for which less nursery time has been invested, can be the best value around.  For landscape contractors, the reduced amount of labor involved in planting a smaller tree allows them to offer a much lower price than they would on a larger tree.

Brocki_trees_5 Particularly with the slow real estate market, residents are likely to stay in their homes much longer than they might have planned on a couple years ago.  In the long run, you'll get the same results from smaller trees that you would from larger ones, and you'll have more cash in your pocket in the meantime!

September 23, 2008

Coming Soon to a Commercial Property Near You: Snow and Ice!

Plow_truck_plow_012107 Every time I turn around lately, someone else is telling me that the Old Farmer's Almanac is predicting a lot of snow for this winter.  I don't know how accurate those predictions are, but I can tell you that we are about due for a winter with above average snowfall.  We haven't had a blizzard-like snowstorm here in Northern Virginia since 2003, and we haven't seen even an average amount of snow since the year after that.  This could be the year that winter weather balances out.

If you own or manage commercial property, you know how important it is to prevent snow or ice from shutting down businesses owned by you or your clients.  The only way to do that is to be sure and have the right snow removal contractor in place well in advance of the first winter storm, which typically occurs in mid-December but could come as soon as early November.  One way to determine whether a snow contractor can meet the specific needs of your property, is to take a look at how high a priority your property will be for that contractor.

I've worked for companies that service dozens of properties across a wide geographic area, and I know how it works.  Big properties, especially those where the contractor also handles the grounds maintenance, get their snow plowed first.  Other properties are ranked in order of importance based on size and several other factors.  Their snow gets plowed later, when the contractor gets around to it, in some cases well after the storm has ended and after businesses have lost numerous customers who can't get their cars into the parking lot.

Property Services doesn't take on snow removal work for which the client would not be a high priority.  The geographic area we serve is relatively small--primarily the Rt. 7 corridor between Leesburg and Herndon--and we are always able to get to our snow removal properties in a timely fashion.  When it comes to winter storms, we get our business done so you can get back to yours!

September 18, 2008

Plants Offered at Some of the Best Prices in Years

Over the last couple weeks, I've noticed that virtually every plant I inquire about with a grower or wholesaler is being offered at a discount.  Yesterday, I stumbled upon some of the best pricing I've seen this decade!

When a landscaper puts together a quote for a planting job, he or she typically calculates the prices using a formula that factors in what the landscaper is paying for the plants.  So what does that mean for you, the consumer?

It means we're getting better prices so you're going to get a better price as well!

Now is better than anytime I can remember to get a great deal on a high quality landscape install.  Property Services is offering dicounts on plants, patios and walkways, fall cleanups and mulching and can, in many cases, design your dream landscape at no additional charge.

Don't let this opportunity pass you by.  Call (703)771-8176 to schedule a free consultation now or email me, matt@propertyserviceslandscape.com.

August 28, 2008

Aeration: A Cost Effective Way to Keep Your Lawn Healthy

High fuel and food prices, a slow real estate market and daily bad economic news are causing many homeowners to cut back on their lawn and landscape budgets.  But in times like these, even when spending money on a construction or renovation project may seem excessive, it is all the more important to keep up with good maintenance practices on your lawn.  If you don't, you could find yourself spending even more money on major projects when the economy turns around.

Power core aeration is one of the most important aspects of maintaining a healthy green lawn.  It helps control thatch and improves soil structure, creating growth pockets for the roots of your lawn. The thousands of tiny holes created by the aerator also open the way for water and fertilizer to reach those roots.  Meanwhile, the cores from the holes "melt" into the lawn, helping control problems caused by thatch.

The great news is, Property Services can aerate your lawn at price that won't break your budget.  We aerate many lawns for as little as $150.00.  Subtract from that currently available discounts, and you're getting a great deal on something that will help ensure a healthy green lawn for years to come!

September-early October is the ideal time to aerate.  Our schedule is filling up fast so please call now.  You can reach us at (703)771-8176 or by email at matt@propertyserviceslandscape.com.

August 12, 2008

Fall Will Be Here Before We Know It

Pict0184 The beautiful weather we've had the last few days is a a good reminder that fall is approaching fast.  Plan your fall lawn or landscape project now!

September and October are the best months of the year for turf renovation and planting most types of trees and shrubs.  Among the tasks that should definitely be done as part of a regular maintenance lawn and landscape maintenance program are: aeration and overseeding, fall fertilization, pruning, fall cleanup and leaf removal. 

Give us a call at (703)771-8176 to discuss your lawn and landscape's needs for the coming season.

July 07, 2008

Deal With Drainage Problems Now

Runoff from heavy spring rains and recent thunderstorms has become an issue at many properties in the Northern Virginia area.  Ignoring drainage problems can cause erosion, make growing grass difficult, drown landscape plants and can turn your back yard into a swamp!

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Whatever the nature of your drainage issue, Property Services has the experience and expertise to alleviate it.  Give us a call and we'll come up with a reasonably-priced, effective solution.

June 25, 2008

Summer is a Good Time to Get a Great Deal on Hardscape

Holland_pavers_2 If you've long dreamed of enhancing your landscape with a beautiful patio, walkway, retaining wall or all three, right now could be the best time to get them built at a discounted price.

Often, a hardscape feature can be the last piece of the puzzle in putting together the landscape of your dreams. In newer homes the patio or walkway might be the first building block. But many homeowners figure hardscape projects are just too expensive to even consider. Landscape companies, however, may be able to offer that otherwise costly hardscape project at a discounted price during the summer months when there is less planting-related work to be done. The hot and often-dry months of July and August can be a struggle for landscapers, and filling the schedule with hardscape work is the best way to get through them.

Retaining_wall_3 Property Services is offering discounts of as much as 10% on hardscape work this summer, depending on the size of the project. Another advantage of having landscape construction done in the summer is that we may be able to plan to do it while you're on vacation, minimizing the inconvenience to you.

If you'd like to discuss how you can get a beautiful yet affordable patio, walkway or retaining wall built on your property this summer, please give us a call at (703)771-8176.

March 09, 2008

Spring Turf Renovation Repairs Drought Damage

The drough that hit Leesburg, Loudoun and surrounding areas last year was the toughest on lawns I've ever seen.  Even with recent heavy rains, many lawns go into the spring season with obvious damage from last year's lack of water.

Performing some lawn tasks that are normally associated with the fall now will go a long way toward helping alleviate that damage.  Please consider having Property Services perform any or all of the following steps so that you can enjoy a healthy green lawn once the weather gets nice.

  • Aeration relieves compaction, gets a seed bed started and makes it easier for oxygen, water and nutrients to reach your lawn's roots.
  • Dethatching removes dead grass and other organic matter that has built up in the lawn.  This is particularly important this year, since portions of your lawn may have died off during the drought.  The machine used in dethatching also scratches the soil, helping with that seed bed.
  • Topdressing completes the seed bed and provides the lawn wth valuable organic material and nutrients.  We use a 50/50 mixture of screened topsoil and Compro.
  • Overseeding will help fill in those bare patches left behind by the drought.  We use a top-quality turfgrass seed blend that is primarily tall fescue.
  • The six-round turf program is a key element of any healthy green lawn.  If you choose to have us perform the steps listed above, we will use 18-24-12 Starter Fertilzer for Round One and get your lawn off to a great start on the road to recovery.

Please give us call at (703)771-8176 for a free estimate!

March 04, 2008

Plan that Patio, Walkway or Retaining Wall Now

With more than two weeks of winter left and at least a month of unpredictable temperatures, it may be hard to envision yourself sipping a cool drink on your new patio and watching the sunset.  But now is the time to plan that hardscape project.Pict0103

Property Services can transform your outdoor living space with a beautiful patio, walkway, retaining wall or some combination of the three.

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Call (703)771-8176 to schedule a free consultation.  You'll be enjoying your new patio by the time the weather gets nice!

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