Q&A

Q. What makes Hunter Springs Landscape Co., Inc. unique? Why do your clients choose to work with you?

A. We are a full service landscape Design-Build firm, from the first steps of consulting with you and your family, through the creative process and down to the final revisions, we will work together to create your master outdoor environment plan. We ensure that our designs are unique and customized to our individual client’s needs; never do we take a “cookie cutter” approach. Once you work with HSLC, we are there for years to come, caring for your landscape as it matures. Our team of specialists is involved in every project from beginning to end, so that we can make necessary changes on-site as the project unfolds. This is very important for good landscape design; the land’s natural features are very malleable, and plans often need to be adjusted to the landscape during the building process.

Q. Is my project too big/small for your company?

A. We choose to work with many different landscape project sizes. This allows us to be versatile and efficient with our teams’ time and skills. If the project doesn’t sound like a good fit for our company, we may recommend other companies that would be better suited to your needs.

Q. What kind of return can I expect on my investment?

A. Based on several studies and research, landscape returns are very good. Based on these studies, the consensus seems to be that professional landscape design/installations can add anywhere from 5 to 15% to a home’s selling price, and that you can expect to recover 100 to 200% of your investment at selling time. Surveys also have shown that returns on landscape improvements are amongst the highest on home improvements. Trees in particular provide tremendous value in terms of reducing heating and cooling costs, preventing erosion and flooding, etc.

Q. What should I expect to spend on landscape design and installation?

A. As with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for when it comes to landscape design. Of course, costs vary tremendously depending upon factors such as the size of the property, the nature of the design, the materials selected, adjustments made during the course of the project and the time and skills required to complete the installation. A good rule of thumb is to consider investing 10-15% of your property’s net worth in the landscape.

Q. Why should I pay for a design when I can get it free from a nursery or other landscape company?

A. There really is no free lunch when it comes to landscape design. When you are offered a “free” design, the design fees are often hidden in other installation costs so it may appear that you are not being charged. When done properly, professional landscape design has significant value for the customer, and designers should be paid accordingly. You may discover that a thoughtful design can actually save you money by presenting specific goals that can be accomplished over time (different phases of the project). Using the experienced design team at Hunter Springs will also insure that every aspect of the design project will be cohesive, so that time and materials are used efficiently and effectively.

Q. Could I hire you to do the design only, and I would install it myself or have others bid to install it?

A. We have found that many of our designs are difficult for others to successfully install while accomplishing the intended aesthetics and quality. The HSLC designers are on-site, building or overseeing the projects they’ve designed, this ensures efficiency and quality. It also allows for timely changes and adjustments, should the need arise.

Q. Why haven’t I seen advertising for your company?

A. We have found that our work speaks for itself and that lawn signage on project sites and referrals from satisfied clients have been our best forms of advertising. However, you may have been involved in some of our community activities as seen on our web page under “about”.

Q. Are Pavers Really Worth the Expense?

A. It’s no secret that installing pavers can be expensive. The one question that is asked again and again is, are pavers worth the expense? When it comes to designing and installing Hardscapes (The part of a outdoor environments consisting of structures, such as driveways, patios, retaining walls, and walkways, made with hard materials) homeowners are limited to three main choices.

The first and least expensive choice is asphalt. Asphalt is one of the most commonly used materials for vehicular / pedestrian traffic. It’s also one of the most frequently replaced materials. Asphalt carries the burden and expense of yearly maintenance, has a short life span (5-7 years), and typically is not used for walkways, patios, or steps leaving the front of your home aesthetically unpleasing. When asphalt sinks and cracks it becomes a costly repair.

The second least costly material is concrete. Concrete is offered in a number of different styles and colors. Although concrete offers more durability, a longer life span (10-20 years) and less maintenance than asphalt, it too has its tribulations. It’s a fact of life that each year in central New York we experience a freeze-thaw cycle during which time concrete WILL crack. One of the other great joys we all share in Syracuse, is snow removal. Typically when colored or stamped concrete is installed, the color (or dye) is applied to the top of the surface leaving it vulnerable to nasty scuffs, chips, or marks. When concrete cracks, it to becomes a costly repair.

The third and last choice is paving stones. Not only do pavers present the custom handcrafted look of elegance and beauty, the material is extremely durable and functional. Pavers offer the longest life span (40 + years) of any of the materials. The craftsmanship used when installing pavers was introduced over 2,000 years ago during the Roman era. Some of the roads constructed during that time are still being used today (as you may have seen around Syracuse University). With today’s technology and the advancements in the installation process pavers have become a superior Hardscape material. There is a myth that snow removal on pavers can be damaging, if installed properly a paver surface can withstand a shovel, snow blower, bobcat, or plow truck with ease.

During the manufacturing process, the color (or dye) is applied through the entire brick. This will eradicate any marks or scuffs from permanently appearing on the paver surface. A second myth, which is untrue, suggests that installing pavers will invite unwanted ants or weeds. A product called Polymeric sand can be used in between the paver joints. This product contains an element that allows the sand to harden after a series of installation techniques. The greatest benefit Polymeric sand offers is its ability to reset itself during the seasonal changes, which eliminates any cracking or shifting. The sizes, colors, textures, and patterns are almost limitless when it comes to designing a paver surface. Manufactures do an excellent job when it comes to offering a wide variety of styles to complement your home. If you want to add a touch of lasting elegance, beauty, and durability paving stones are certainly the path best traveled.

Q. Our knowledge of plants is very limited, we don’t want to waste our money on plants if we can’t care for them properly to enjoy their beauty. How can you help us grow with our landscape?

A. Spring and summer is the peak of the growing season for plants, when they flush with color and new foliage. Perennials add splashes of color during this exciting time. Come fall we see brilliant changes of color, but in the winter most go dormant and stop their rapid rates of growth. The perennials that once bloomed with vigor appear to be dead. We find that some people mistake the natural life cycle of their perennial plants for death. This misconception can be the first lesson in understanding your landscape. Lets start with a few common plant lifecycle definitions.

Evergreen - bearing foliage throughout the year. While they are green, they go dormant in the winter. There are two main types of evergreens. Needled varieties and broadleaf evergreens. Please remember that a limited amount of evergreens do drop their needles in the winter months.

Deciduous - shedding foliage at the end of the growing season. Deciduous plants are identifiable by their bare branching structure in the winter. They are not dead, just dormant like evergreens, and will leaf out again in the spring. Some deciduous plants can be quite interesting in the winter due to textured or colored trunks and branches. Deciduous trees/shrubs known for winter interest include: Red Twig Dogwood.

Annual - anything, especially, a plant that lasts but one year or season. Annuals are known for their showy colors and last through the CNY growing season and some even into fall.

Perennial - a plant which lives or continues more than two years, whether it retains its leaves in winter or not. All evergreen and deciduous plants fall into the perennial category as they continue more than two years. However, we typically categorize perennials as those plants known for showy, seasonal color, which die back in the winter and come again in the spring.

Though we are lucky to have a winter full of evergreens, it is the perennial bursts of color we miss most during the winter. Be assured that while their tops may die back for a season, they will come back again to produce bigger and more beautiful than last year.

Q. Why are they becoming so popular?
Outdoor living environments have become one of the most requested design features in recent years. It raises the question, why?

A. Your right, last year (2008) adding an outdoor living space was the biggest garden trend and because of this, many families value spending the short summer season outdoors. While some opt to make the investment in a swimming pool, others are finding more enjoyment in outdoor entertaining. It seems that both are close when comparing costs, however outdoor “Living Rooms” provide a better return on investment during the selling of a home. Potential buyers see added value to outdoor living rooms because essentially it is an extended living space of your home. In designing an outdoor environments a large array of features and options can be utilized, depending on your design directions. Outdoor kitchens features can have built in grills, refrigerators, stainless steel cabinets and counter space. Outdoor living rooms have flat screen televisions, unique illumination and ceiling fans. Less we forget about the plant material that can surround this backyard escape,  gardens like homes, can have rooms offering different experiences. Outdoor entertainment areas offer the perfect setting to entertain family or friends and provide a great return on investment to homeowners. No wonder they have become so popular!