I love my night lighting at home. I have over 80 lights show casing path ways, up lighting for trees, and lighting showcasing my small water feature as well as some directional lights for various objects we want to high light. I even have a street light in my woods along a path I converted to low voltage.
All the lights are incandescent low voltage lights. It it stunning spring, summer, fall and especially winter when it starts snowing.
This last year led lights have led the way in our lighting projects we have installed. They have perfected the color ranges to ensure a more natural light emitting from the fixtures. Led bulbs last up to 17 years, so changing bulbs every every couple of years is not in the program any more. They use less wattage which also allows for more lights per transformer. With led lights up can also mount lights much further from the transformer and not have voltage drop, which is a slight problem with the incandescent bulbs. The issue right now with led is the cost per fixture. Prices are dropping quickly , like what we experience with most electronics prices. Once they start mass producing, prices drop. Landscape lighting for your home is a mood setter and really compliments your landscape in the evening, and enhances security.
Some reviews I thought would be nice to enter in the blog.
Joan Harrisburg Vancouver WA
I just had a large patio and planting beds done by Woody’s Custom Landscaping and they’re the best. They don’t get any better than this company. They showed up on time with the right equipment and the right work crew (large enough to do the job quickly). They came back and fixed a small problem within 48 hours. I will do business with this company anytime the need arises. They honor their verbal agreements and are reasonably priced.
Provided By: Ayn L.
City: Camas
Project: Landscape – Install Landscaping for Yard or Garden
Woody & team did an outstanding job working with us from idea to final completion. Woody responded immediately to our request for bid with an on target quote. Woody was able to give relevant edits to our concept to make it work on our property. His crew was exceptional: on time, friendly, kept the work site clean and did a quality job. When we needed to make adjustments, Woody & Jason communicated directly and up front so we knew what our options were. I am highly recommending Woody & crew to our neighbors and would certainly use Woody’s again.
Provided By: RICHARD T.
City: Ridgefield
Project: Brick and Stone Patios, Walks, and Steps – Install
FROM START TO FINISH THIS JOB HAS BEEN A PLEASURE! WOODY AND HIS CREW WERE TIMELY, INDUSTRIOUS, METICULOUS AND COURTEOUS! THE COMPLETED JOB IS FABULOUS. I AM VERY PARTICULAR AND HAVE VERY HIGH STANDARDS FOR MYSELF, SO IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE TO DO BUSINESS WITH A COMPANY WHICH LIVES UP TO MY STANDARDS. WOODY’S CUSTOM LANDSCAPING IS SUCH A COMPANY. THANKS A MILLION WOODY AND CREW!
City: Vancouver
Project: Interlocking Pavers for Driveways & Floors – Install
FAST FRIENDLY GOOD WORK
Provided By: Steve D.
City: Vancouver
Project: Brick and Stone Patios, Walks, and Steps – Install
Overall the experience was a good one, the crew that came and dug up the old lawn and resod were courteous and professional. After the job was done, there was no evidence of a job ever being done, for they cleaned up very well. Now my neighbors are making on how good the front lawn looks. I will definitely refer this landscaping crew to others.
Most people this time of year, who don’t know landscape construction, ask me some of the following questions.
You lawn mowing has slowed down now that the winter months are approaching right Woody?
It’s getting near pruning time you must get very busy?
You must be busy with leaf cleanup up this time of year, right Woody?
I usually gather my patience and go through the following:
No we don’t maintain any yards. That is for landscape maintenance companies.
We don’t mow yards, pick up leaves or prune too much.
By then their eyes glass over and I explain that we are a landscape construction company who work in Vancouver WA and Portland OR metro area.
We install the landscaping for our clients.
What does that mean? We install all landscaping projects. A simple front or back yard renovation.
A back yard paver or flagstone patio. New sod, irrigation systems, low voltage lighting, drainage,
water features, ponds, pathways, masonry work including cultured stone, soil preparation, purchase and planting plants, landscape design, retaining walls, sport courts, outdoor rooms, outdoor entertainment areas, gazebos, trellises, decks, and all outdoor construction big and small.
We have found our niche and believe that is what we do best. Why enter into another type of landscape business.
That is the reason behind the name Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc.. We install Custom Landscaping for each and every client we have, whether it is a small or large project. Our team of employees most likely have the highest number of certified people on staff vs. our competition. I know for a fact we have won the most residential landscape construction awards in South West Washington. We offer our service and expertise to our clients each and every day.
We are proud that we are Green Professionals by the name of Woody’s Custom Landscaping Inc.
Many clients wonder if a landscape designer is really that necessary to draw a design for their landscape. Yes it may cost some money, but I consider it a good insurance policy and as a guide to what landscape needs you may have.
Why should you hire a landscape designer?
Their job is to provide you with a functional as well as aesthetic master plan.
To help ensure that the right plants and material are needed.
Many do-it-yourselfers select improper plants and inadequate materials. I see it everyday.
To avoid costly mistakes especially for do-it-yourselfers.
I have replaced many home owner projects over the years. No master plan. Plants to large, etc.
To save you time, money and frustration.
To preserve or increase the value of your property.
To help create a healthier planet.
To relax knowing you’ve hired a trained and experienced landscape professional who will be there with you from start to finish, no matter the size or complexity of your project.
This was given to me from Gail Dresner with Circadian.
Enclosed is a entertainment area video designed by Gail and installed by us.
It features a Vancouver WA. landscaping featuring a flagstone patio, seat wall,fire pit, low voltage lighting, planting and sod installation
The above is a shot of Ajuga ground cover. It was one of the photographs that gave us a Grand Award from WALP a few years ago.
Below is another Grand Award From WALP years ago. Love the ground cover and blue Hosta against the flagstone path and brick work.
This water feature was a private courtyard off their master bath. What a great way to relax. Another Grand Award winner from WALP. This photo was not used, due to the hose in the photo.
Another grand award winner from WALP. Shows a flagstone patio and seat wall
In the last 13 years Woody’s has received 6 Grand awards for residential construction from the Washington Association of Landscape Professionals. We have also received 10 Distinction and Merit awards.
Patios can be made with many different materials. Concrete patios are the most common. For the sake of this article, I will be addressing natural stone patios, brick and concrete paver patios.
15 years ago, it was all about brick patios and natural stone patios. Now the rage seems to be paver patios.
Paver patios are easy to install, but they must be installed as per specifications. Paver patios range in price from 10-15 dollars a square foot installed. Colors and styles are almost endless with new ones coming out each year. Our company uses Mutual Materials Company on a day to day basis. We have always found them innovative, helpful, price conscience, product ready, and diligent in their service.
A fairly new type of paver is the permeable paver. Permeable pavers installed allow water to drain through very quickly, collecting and filtering the rain water and never getting into sewer or street drain systems. It’s the newest green technology and looks quite attractive at the same time. See video below.
Stone and brick patios tend to run more money per foot installed. Brick patios installed like pavers over gravel and sand are in the same range as paver patios. Natural stone over gravel tends to run in the 15-20 dollars a sq. foot range. Some of the price depends on type of stone, etc. Below see video of a natural stone patio installed over gravel.
When you install brick and natural flagstone over a concrete sub slab and mortar it in is when costs go higher. It is what I call a “old school perfect installation”. The costs if also installing the concrete sub slab can add 7-10 dollars a foot. Below is a video of flagstone installed over a concrete sub slab and mortared.
For service oriented landscapers who are certified and award winning green professionals give Woody a call.
There are many types of retaining walls. Here are some examples of a few types of walls
Boulder walls have been popular for many years. There are advantages with boulder walls. One is they tend to run a little cheaper to install. They look rustic and serve their purpose if installed correctly.
The problems they run into are:
1. They take up a lot of space horizontally.
2. Soil tends to slip through the crevasses of the boulders.
3. They pretty much have one type of look. It seems that if boulders are common in the area, every one tends to have them installed in their yards.
SRW walls or Segmented Retaining Walls are also very popular. They really don’t have any problems if installed correctly. It is very important however, to make sure they have adequate drainage behind the walls.
It is also true of boulders walls, but the drainage usually is gravel or drain rock behind the wall. It is difficult to install piped drainage behind a boulder wall. I tend to go back about three feet and install a french drain.
The advantages of Segmented Retaining Walls are many:
1. The install vertically very well. For example: a three foot segmented retaining wall takes up the width
of the wall unit plus usually about 1″ set back per block. Most blocks are 6″ high and one foot in depth so 18″ total set back. A boulder wall 3′ high can take up to 4-5 feet of your yard. Not to nice if you have the typical small yard. You need as much space as possible.
2. Segmented retaining walls have many styles
radius faced, straight faced, celtic,
3. Segmented retaining walls have many colors available.
4. Drainage is necessary behind all walls but easier and work better than a typical boulder wall.
5. There are many different price ranges for segmented retaining walls. Some are about the same cost of boulder walls and range up to the price of CMU block walls faced with cultured stone.
CMU Block walls faced with natural stone, cultured stone and brick.
1. These types of walls have all the same advantages of segmented retaining walls. They are a little more labor intensive to install. Thus they cost more.
2. The styles and colors of natural stone, cultured stone, brick are almost endless. You can definitely find what you want for color, texture and style.
Make sure your landscape contractor can perform you retaining wall work.
Make sure they are licensed and bonded
Ask them for references.
Are they certified?
Did you get a good impression when you met for the estimate.
It’s not the cheapest price but the value for what you are getting a bid on.
Is the contractor service oriented?
Do the references check out?
Does the contractor offer a warranty for their work?
For quality oriented certified award winning landscape contractors, Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. is it.
Servicing Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington with pride.
Lic. #8732
Project: Private residence,
Vancouver, Washington
Landscaping: Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Vancouver, Washington
The homeowners wanted a serene environment for their home nestled in the Pacific Northwest. Woody’s installed about 3,000 square feet of cobble paver driveway, including a raised concrete curb to add definition. Gravel pathways encircle the house and meander through native plantings. In the center planting area, they built a 5-foot-deep koi pond and installed native plants to match the natural feel of the river in the backyard. Plantings include many plantings of shade perennials and shade shrubs.
Installation included a low voltage lighting system to make it even for enticing in the evening hours.
This home was featured in Total Landscape Care, a national magazine the month of October 2009.
Please enjoy a video of the entire front yard landscaping.
There is nothing like a great review or testimonial from our clients. We strive for the perfect experience with our clients and the following reviews and testimonials will show that our certified and award winning team works on every job we do with the same professionalism that even the most high end clients get.
09/25/09Great work and professional
by evelyn1ab
Woodys did an excellent job on a paver project . I had a 20′ pathway leading from another paver patio to a circular 12′ paver base for a gazebo and it looks great.
Would recommend Woodys to anyone wanting quality work for pavers.
Pros: Work completed quickly and professionally
Cons: none
Below is a video of what we did for them
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 Job well done! – raeleend – Jan 21, 2009
I was very impressed with the manner in which the bidding was done, the timing manner in which the job was completed, the friendless of the workers and the job performed. They also shared ideas, were willing to listen to my thoughts and kept it all within my budget. I will be using them again.
Rated 5.0 out of 5.0 Woody’s made our ideas come to life! – MizLiz – Jul 21, 2009
We have been working on our back yard for a couple of years now, and this year we needed to have a paved pathway across it. Not only that, we had a home-made water feature that leaked constantly and didn’t make as much noise as I would like. Woody and his employees did a fantastic job, we have a beautiful paved walkway now, and an inviting waterfall/creek that gurgles perfectly. We’re thinking of more things we want to do, and you can be sure we’ll call Woody!
Kym
Woody’s just installed a patio and firepit area for us that turned out fantastic!! Woody was very professional and accommodating to my every wish, as was his entire staff. Everyone was so helpful and efficient. They started work promptly each day and cleaned up before they left, so as not to leave a mess for us to look at while under construction. I could not have asked for a better crew to work with. The final product came out better than I imagined and of top notch quality. I would highly recommend Woody’s!!
Below is a video of the work that was done at Kym’s home.
Landscaping | woodys November 25, 2009 | 
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