First off a good landscape tends to want to evolve. Maybe the kids are now in their teens and do not want or use that huge playground structure that got put in when they were tots. Maybe, since the kids are now in their teens, that playhouse in the back forty may be used for other things instead of playing house and is now a potential for unwanted activities. For most of us these are easy changes. What tends to happen most often is the lawn is too large and it’s time for more planting beds or a replacement to a new smaller lawn area. As we grow older we may want to actually enjoy the outside more. This usually leads for demands of larger entertaining areas, including a larger patio area or a covered patio area. It could be that cooking outside has become more than a 4th of July occurrence, and a larger outdoor kitchen area is dreamed about.
More often than not a once landscaped yard just gets worn out. The shrubs are too big, or the backyard landscaping is much more shady then 10 years ago and nothing grows well. Most of our landscape needs change over the years and a landscape that was installed 10 years ago may not suit your landscaping needs today.

The best way to start the process of a new landscape is with a reputable landscape designer or landscape architect. Most good landscape designers or architects will supply a nice set of plans for your future landscape changes. Great landscape designers should supply you also with a budget for your new look. Nothing is worse for us as landscape contractors, than seeing a client with a fantastic set of landscape plans, but no idea of what it may cost. Let’s face it, every one has a budget that they have to work from. Make sure that you are working with a landscape designer or landscape architect that can supply a working budget. If the initial cost from the landscape plan is too high with your landscape budget, materials can be changed, plant sizes can be reduced, or maybe just reducing the size of some of the hardscaping will put you within budget. Many times I experience that my potential client just did not know that the fantastic landscape plan they have is way over their head monetarily.

The next step after getting a workable landscape plan is to find a qualified landscape contractor. Make sure you are choosing a landscape contractor that is licensed, insured and bonded with your state. This is the minimum requirement. Then get a list of current landscape references from the landscape contractor and make sure you call them. Make sure that the landscaper you may choose, can in fact do the work as per the landscape plans. If the landscaper wants to change the plans, either they have a huge ego or they are not sure of what they are doing. If I may add, please don’t fall for the lowest landscaping estimates. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

We have been landscaping in the Vancouver Washington area for over twenty years, with many residential landscape awards and exceptional landscape services. Choose the best and forget the rest.

When my potential clients want a landscape estimate, I always try to help them figure out   what they want. When to many variables enter into the landscape estimate, I usually try to suggest thinking about landscape designers. The most recent estimate I went on was one with too many variables. There was no way to convince him that a simple landscape consultation, would benefit the outcome considerably. The problem was that he already had someone else providing them with a estimate but he did not have any idea of what they were proposing to install. This does not help the potential client at all. They had no idea of what kind of walls they wanted, type of plants or where things should go. This does not fair well with the landscape contractors that will be giving the landscape estimate. For example this client wanted a circular paver patio and fire pit. He did not know how large a patio he wanted, so I threw out a dimension for him. My concern was, 30-40 sq. feet of paver patio can make a $500.000 to $600.00 dollar difference in price. How is this a apples to apples bid? The other concern I had was the constant, How much is that? What’s the cheapest ? You can now assume that there was no way I was going to get the potential landscape client to spend a couple of hundred dollars to at least get a landscape consultation. This would help to him figure out what kind of walls should be installed, how big a patio should be bid on, what type of materials will be used. The way this estimate stands right now will probably be pure confusion on the clients part when they try to figure out what all the different prices are and how to compare them with each other.

Please if the project is a full yard landscaping, get at least a landscape consultation and hopefully a landscape design. It’s one of the best ways to get a idea of what you are doing, the materials to be used and of course a way for all landscape contractors to bid apples to apples.
The cheapest price does not mean anything, except dissatisfaction.
Serving the Vancouver WA area for over twenty years with award winning landscape services.

How can you tell if you are getting a good quote from a landscape contractor? Here’s another question, that just may answer the first question. Have you done any home work on who’s coming to give you a landscape estimate? Don’t just grab a phone book and call until a few landscape contractors answer the phone. Check them out. Go on their web site. Check their referrals. At woodyscustomlandscaping.com we want our potential
clients to give us more than just a once over, before we come to do a landscape estimate. We want you to see just what kind of landscape services we offer. We want our clients to be absolutely thrilled when we finish the landscape project. It does not matter if it’s large or small landscape projects. We feel each job we complete is a symbol of who we are and how we work as landscape professionals.
Check out the slide show and give us a call at 360-687-1882.

Find more photos like this on Garden-Share

I’m sure sure you are ready for the, “look no further” routine. I wish that you would look a lot further. Check out our website of landscape projects, awards, videos and of course our blogs. We try to offer a wealth of information and facts about various aspects of landscaping. woodyscustomlandscaping.com We offer our handiwork in the Portland Oregon area and the Vancouver Washington area

One thing I would really like to stress, is to hire a licensed landscape contractor. Many say they are, but aren’t and they may just take you for a ride, which discredits the name landscape contractor.
After you have determined that in fact the person you have chosen is licensed, then go find two more licensed landscape contractors. If you are really on top of it, you probably have a landscape design ready.

We offer a design build method of landscaping and really want our clients to have a landscape design first and a estimate second. We try to select landscape designers that fit our clients personalities as well as the scope of work involved. The designers we suggest are not affiliated with us other than with a good working relationship together. This helps make a good design build team. The landscape designers will help you keep the project in budget, without getting the contractor involved. In other words the landscape designers we suggest, work for you, not us.
Let’s get back to landscape contractors. Are they offering professional landscaping services? You have determined that they have a current license. The next step is qualifications for the work you want done. If paver patios or retaining walls are involved you should check and see if any personnel that work for the contractor are certified either ICPI or NCMA. You may want to also see if they are “landscape industry certified”, which is a national certification for landscaping through PLANET.

Note what they have accomplished in the industry. One way, is by awards for their projects. Another would be the standard test of time in the industry. A landscape contractor who has been in business a long time, is probably a fairly good choice of a business with a good reputation.
We have been serving the Vancouver Washington and Portland Oregon area for over twenty years with award winning services and certified personnel.

When getting landscape estimates and quotes, make sure the landscape contractor is licensed, bonded and insured.
Note if the contractor shows up on time and communicates to your liking.
Be sure the landscape contractors are listening to you. You are the boss.
Don’t get more than three estimates. It is a waste of time. Confusion follows shortly after four landscape bids.

Make sure the landscape bids are for the same items and sizes. This makes the argument for hiring a landscape designer first, thus lessening confusion.
If the price seems to good to be true, your probably right.
The lowest price might be done right, but ask yourself the question why was every one else higher in price. I’m sure there’s a good reason.
Check references.

woodyscustomlandscaping.com has been installing quality landscapes and hardscapes in Ridgefield for over twenty years with outstanding services as our first priority.

A good symbiotic relationship between a landscape designer or architect and landscape contractor is obviously the best design build relationship for the homeowner. It should be a relationship that when you add both the designer and landscape contractor together, you get more than a simple math problem, but something that adds value, usefulness, and a beautiful landscape project. Many landscapers claim that they design build, but I feel that it takes two to tango. We all have our areas of expertise. As a landscape construction contractor, I feel I offer the best in construction. Does a designer usually have the expertise in construction? No, they may but there level of expertise is mostly found in the creation of ideas. Our level of expertise is in the implementing and construction of the design.

The following photographs show either a landscape architect and landscape contractor design build effort or with a landscape designer. All of the work is work we constructed.

Serving the Portland and Vancouver area with design build expertise, that is certified, professional and award winning.

Why bother to get a landscape design or start a design build relationship in the winter months? There are a few very good reasons to get a landscape design in the winter.
1. Landscape designers are usually not that busy during the winter months. This makes the process of designing your landscape quicker and you usually get a better design because the designer is not
overly busy.
2. Chances are landscape construction companies aren’t very busy and there might be some discounting available. A perfect time to get several landscape bids and your landscape contractor!
3. Winter is a great time to plan, save money and get a financial overview of what your landscaping may cost. The pressure is off trying to make a quick decision on getting a design and estimate before
the industry gets very busy in spring. The design and estimating process can take a good solid month before it can be implemented.
You may be thinking that you don’t need a landscape design. If the job is of any size make sure that the landscape contractors are all bidding the same quantities and sizes. For example: There is a difference in costs of a 5 gallon shrub and a 2 gallon shrub. Make sure the contractor has a accurate planting list with sizes and quantities. Without one there is no way to know which landscape contractor is offering the best price and service. How big is the proposed patio? One landscape contractor may bid for a 250 square foot patio and the other a 300 square foot patio. For a paver patio, that may mean a $700.00 difference.
A landscape design will pin point quantities and sizes of plants. A landscape design will also spell out exactly how big that patio may be.
I do stress heavily on a landscape design implemented for most landscaping jobs. Do not expect landscape designs are at no charge. A landscape design is the best insurance that a prospective client can get. A landscape design will help you know what exactly is being proposed for your home as well as give you a apples to apples bid from your landscape contractors.woodyscustomlandscaping.com
Serving Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington areas with certified, award winning service for over twenty years.
Below is a review for a landscape job we installed. They had a landscape design which made the work easier for us, since there was no guessing on what or where.
Oct 20, 2010
yellowlab
Jason and crew made us very happy with a large project on our property. We had extensive design preparation, sprinkler installation and tree planting completed. Jason was helpful with ideas, and freely included our desire to do some of the work ourselves to save on costs. Crews arrived on time, were courteous, and left the job-site very clean after they were done. All of the crew thanked me for giving them the job, (a first for us) and were happy when I told them how pleased I was with their work. Woody’s guarantees their plants for a year, and I have no doubt if I have issues in the spring, they will make it right. I found Woody’s through Home Services Network of SW Washington, and would recommend any of the contractors in their group. Thank you Woody and Jason!

Finding a qualified landscape construction company to give you an estimate is really easy. First you go to www.woodyscustomlandscaping.com, click on the contact us and sure enough we will give a fast and accurate estimate. If clicking is not your thing our phone number is 360-687-1882. Our license number is #8732 in Oregon. We have been a landscape contractor in the Northwest for over 20 years. On our website we share many of the references we get from our clients. If it’s a landscape design we can help you. If outdoor living is what you are after, it has been our field of expertise for many years. Our awards for residential landscape construction will help prove that. We are just a few clicks away so start now with www.woodyscustomlandscaping.com and see for yourself the possibilities your home can have in a landscaped paradise. We specialize in quick but accurate landscape bids

I have been asked by Clark County PUD to be a speaker Friday, April 23, 2010. It is for the Clark County Home and Idea Fair. I will speak at the speakers corner in the new exhibition hall. The seminar will be at 4:00 PM. It should last about 1 hour.
The title of my seminar is, “Growing Your Landscape Dreams Into Reality”.
I plan to cover why should our potential clients choose landscape designers and landscape contractors instead of being a DIYer. Nothing is wrong with home owners doing projects themselves, but I usually encounter a lack of planning, cheap materials and a very average job. I also plan to speak on how should homeowners choose a landscape designer or landscape contractor and think budget.
I will show some great examples of before and after shots of landscaping that were designed by landscape designers. Can the typical homeowner come up with visions like what I’ll show?
Most of the time, no.
The example below shows a woodsy setting. Could a typical home owner come up with what got installed. Yes, if they had a great designer and a qualified landscaper.

Come to the Clark County Home and Idea Fair, April 23rd at 4:00 PM in the new hall. I promise to be full of answers to your landscaping questions and have a fun fact filled one hour seminar.
I will explain how you can grow the before picture into your landscape dream.

Woody’s offers outdoor living at its finest in Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington

It used to be a landscaper could install some sod, put in a irrigation system, plant some shrubs and call it good. A landscaper in this day and age must be able to not only install softscaping, but also be proficient in hardscaping, marketing, accounting, human relations, and be ever so aware of the fact we are the true green industry. It is not any thing like the days when I landscaped in California 20 to 30 years ago. It just seemed so much simpler then. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining just pointing out some facts. To be a upward moving company, you must really be on your toes all the time. At Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. we encourage all our employees to become certified in paver installation, retaining wall installation and become a Certified Landscape Technician through PLANET. That’s a great starting place but is only just the beginning. Most of our suppliers offer one day seminars on a great many topics. Examples are smart irrigation, led low voltage lighting, new pond installation and filtration technology, outdoor rooms, outdoor kitchens, landscape masonry, and the list goes on and on. We have at least some of our employees attend as many training sessions as we are able. We are also active in garden shows in Portland Oregon and Vancouver Washington.

For myself, I have for the last two years entered into the new social media and networking. Facebook, blogging about landscaping, and Twitter. They are fun and I believe rewarding to the company, but do take up quite a bit of time. Please take the time to become a facebook fan or twitter me. The icons are below this blog.
It is amazing how fast the world is going now, and keeping up on Twitter and Facebook is challenging.

To be a better than just a good landscaper, it is very important to be a marketeer, quality driven, service oriented, productive, sustainable landscaping, and a true green industry professional. We are proud of the fact that we are striving to become all of those, plus more.
Landscaping has become more complex than in days gone by, but I believe Woody’s Custom Landscaping, Inc. is keeping up with the times and is the new definition of landscaping.
If your looking for excellant landscape contractors, take a look at our web site.
www.woodyscustomlandscaping.com