hether you are planning to stay in your home forthe next 20 years, or trying to sell in this toughmarket, high-quality landscaping is an invaluableasset to your home’s worth. Many people believe

that attaining a beautiful yard is an expensive and time-con-suming process, but it doesn’t have to be! Here are 8 tips forcreating beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes on a budget.

CHOOSE NATIVE PLANTSNative plants give us a great advantage in the garden becausethey are tried and true for the area. They are more diseaseand pest resistant, saving money on maintenance, and alsoadaptable to changes in water supply, saving money on waterbills. Some good examples of native plants in Coastal Georgiasuitable for landscape use are River Birch (Betula nigra) for asmaller specimen tree, Florida Anise (Illicium parvifolium)for a fast-growing screen, Saw Palmetto (Serrenoa repens) andSweetgrass (Muhlenbergia capillaries) for mid-size texture,and Green and Gold (Chrysogonum virginianum) andSouthern Shield Fern (Thelypteris kunthii) for groundcovers.

CHOOSE SMALLER SIZE PLANTSLarger sized plant will give more of an “instant landscape”look, but they are much more expensive than a smaller size. Ifyou have the time and patience, you can get much more bangfor your buck by going with a smaller gallon size. For exam-ple, a 3 gallon shrub may cost $7, but a 7 gallon may be asmuch as $24! Additionally, many specialty nurseries are muchmore expensive than some big-box home stores. It is helpfulto splurge on specimen and specialty plants from the nursery,and save on more common plants at a less expensive store.

HIRE A PROFESSIONALMany people decide to take on large landscape plans on theirown, hoping to save the cost of hiring a landscape architector landscape designer. However, great amounts of time andmoney can be wasted through trial and error, making inap-propriate plant and design choices, and ending without acohesive design look. A good designer will provide full draw-

ings, rendering, planting and hardscape plans, and plantingschedule with sizes, full botanical names, and notes so thehomeowner will have everything he or she needs to install theproject themselves. Although a designer can be pricy for cre-ating a full design, many professionals will offer consultationsfor much less cost, providing on-site ideas and sketches.

PHASE THE PROJECTI always tell clients that they can have the landscape of their

W

74 • Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide

8 Tips forBeautiful

Landscapes On A Budget

By Erin Salzer, Erin P. Salzer Landscape Designs

dreams on a budget if the project is done in phases. An elabo-rate landscape plan may cost a huge amount to install all atonce, but piece by piece, as it is affordable, a little patiencewill go a long way in creating the ultimate design.

ADDITION OF A WATER FEATUREFountains and even small ponds have become increasinglyaffordable, and easier to install than ever. The looks andsound of water add a finished quality to the landscape, as wellas providing soothing sound and a cooler feeling. If theinstallation of a fountain seems daunting, the addition of asimple bird bath can create a similar feel.

CHOOSE DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTSXeriscape, which literally means dry landscape, has becomeincreasingly popular in our area due to concerns about waterconservation and the occurrence of drought. These plantsneed care in getting established, but will do very well if thereis a lack of water, saving money on both the water bill andreplacing dead plants. A few examples of xeriscape plants areSago Palm (Cycas revoluta), Pineapple Guava (Feijoa sell-owiana), and African Iris (Dietes vegeta).

INSTALL AN IRRIGATION SYSTEMThough it may sound contradictory to the xeriscape tip, irri-gation systems are vital in protecting your landscape invest-ment. They regulate water expenditure, helping lower waterbills and avoiding wasteful run-off.

REDUCE LAWN AREASIt is a little-known fact that lawn is the most high-mainte-nance landscape feature possible. It uses many chemicals thatare both expensive and tough on the environment, not tomention the time-consuming process of mowing. Reductionof lawn in lieu of groundcovers, or even hardscape can savegreat amounts of time and money. Some examples of goodgroundcovers for full sun are Asiatic Jasmine(Trachelospermum asiaticum), Liriope (Liriope muscarii), andPurple Wintercreeper (Euonymous fortuneii).

Hopefully these tips will be helpful and I wish you all happylandscaping!

For more information call Erin P. Salzer, Landscape Design forLiving at 843.368.1863, www.ErinPSalzer.com.

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the care they need to greatly increase their life and beauty, as well as add value to your home.

78 • Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide

Once you have decided to remodel, it’s important to weighthe costs and benefits of doing-it-yourself versus hiring a con-tractor. With internet research, giant home improvementstores and countless shows about renovating, flipping, deco-rating, designing and landscaping, it’s understandable thatmany homeowners take on projects themselves to save moneyand build that elusive “sweat equity.” It’s imperative, though,to keep the following in mind when considering a DIY reno-vation:

• Know What Your Time is Worth: Many DIY and HGTVshows have skilled tradesmen, professional designers and des-ignated shoppers all at one’s disposal. In a true DIY scenario,you’ll be taking on all of these tasks yourself. Don’t forget toconsider the significant time and laborious aspects whenmaking the decision to tackle a project yourself. It will affectyour budget as well as your timeline.

• Be Painfully Self-Aware: Simply put, often it is not as easyas it looks! We’ve all looked at something and said, “I can dothat!” but when it comes to multi-faceted projects, managingtime and budgets as well as juggling your day-to-day sched-ule, a DIY project may become less feasible. Think aboutyour natural talents and abilities before tackling a complicat-ed project. For instance, if programming electronics, hang-ing curtains or installing shelves results in more expletivesthan accolades, you may want to reconsider your decision.

• Do Your Homework: Research state and local codes toensure your DIY improvements are acceptable by code (go towww.dca.state.ga.us/development/construction codes for fur-ther details). Use well-known internet resources, trusted sup-pliers and real estate professionals to help you decide on thebest materials and brands as well as what improvements willprovide the most “bang for your buck.” For jobs involving

multiple trades, it is important to educate yourself on theproper order of construction. You should also set a detailedbudget to include material costs and soft costs (permits,waste removal, cleaning, etc). Remember to include a miscel-laneous expense for unexpected costs that may arise.

For simpler, more aesthetic changes, DIY projects may be themost cost-effective option. However when it comes to larger,more complicated projects involving multiple trades, hiring acontractor can save you time, money and heartache.Consider the following when deciding to hire a GeneralContractor (GC):

REMODELING?HIRE A PRO!Some things to consider before

you remodel your home.By Chrissy & Matthew Jonns

Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide • 79

• Let the GC Do His/Her Job: GC’s provide oversight anddirection over the entire project, coordinating multiple tradesand streamlining communication. A hands-off approachallows you to focus on what you do best and stay as involved(or un-involved) as you desire.

• GC’s Have Leverage: Because of long-term business rela-tionships, suppliers and subcontractors often give builder dis-counts. Though you will pay the GC for his or her supervi-sion and coordination, you may get a better deal with con-tractor pricing on labor and material. Similarly, GC’s havescheduling leverage with subcontractors. Because theydepend on GC’s for continued business, subcontractors aremore likely to show up on time and complete the job in asatisfactory manner.

• Ensured Expertise & Quality: GC’s are required to knowand implement current building codes. As of July 1st, 2008Georgia state law requires GC’s to be licensed for any workvalued at $2,500 or more. To further protect your investment,most GC’s will provide a warranty on any work completed.

If you’ve decided to hire a contractor, there are several pointsto consider. Although it’s likely he will all arrive five minuteslate in a truck filled of plans and paperwork, all GC’s are notmade equal! A few points of interest when considering/hir-ing a contractor:

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• Get The Credentials: Ask the GC for a copy of his or herstate license (for further details and to verify a license, go towww.sos.georgia.gov). It’s also imperative that your GC isproperly insured for both Worker’s Compensation andGeneral Liability insurance—getting a copy of his or herinsurance certificate may prevent a potential homeowner’sinsurance claim. If the certificate comes directly from theGC don’t hesitate to call the agent to make sure all policiesare current and in effect.

• Seek References and Rapport: Ask for a list of referencesand call at least three former customers. Ask them what waspositive, what was negative and whether they would recom-mend this GC? Do your own interview as well! Make sureyou have a rapport with him or her and that you feel com-fortable with his or her communication style. It’s essentialthat the two of you are on the same page throughout theconstruction process.

• Outline Expectations & Communicate Concerns: Don’t beafraid to ask questions early and often! Talk about the rolesyou will play, how the general building process will takeplace, how the billing works and who will be directly super-vising the job. It’s also important to communicate any dead-lines or timelines upfront. For instance, if Aunt Betty hasalready made plans to visit and stay in your newly-renovatedguest suite, it’s best to mention this date at the beginning ofthe job. That way, the GC has an idea of a “drop dead” date,putting everyone on the same page.

Once you have narrowed down your options and decidedwhich GC to hire, there are a few things to keep in mindthat will improve the renovation process:

• Communication is Key: Scheduled meetings and regularcommunication help ensure that you and your GC have asimilar understanding. Written forms of communicationsuch as E-mails and faxes are good ways minimize any confu-sion and document decisions made by both parties. Also, be

upfront with your GC on your budget and timeline. Whendeciding on the amount of time and money to allocate towhich area, your GC will be helpful in making suggestionsthat fit your criteria.

• It’s Worth a Thousand Words: Cut out magazine pictures,print internet pictures or sketch drawings. Though you mayhave a clear mental picture, it may be difficult to communi-cate without a visual. As a result, your words may not beinterpreted as desired or expressed with the appropriate jar-gon. Pictures can simplify your requests and help ensure thedesired outcome.

• Consider Your Well-Being: Remodeling is not for the faintof heart. If you stay up at night because there’s a dirty dishin the sink that hasn’t yet made it to the dishwasher, you maywant to stay away from the project during any demolition.It’s okay to feel a little anxiety when you walk around and seeyour house “in shambles” but rest assured that there is plan;think of it as controlled chaos. Similarly, it’s helpful to stayflexible and understanding. During renovation, the unex-pected is inevitable whether it’s a change in scope, unantici-pated repairs, or a delay in materials due to yet another hurri-cane in the Gulf. These are unfortunate yet unavoidable cir-cumstances that affect the timeline and are commonplace inany renovation.

• Make Them Work For It: Don’t hesitate to get your GC’sopinion on building materials, plans and design. Rememberthat he or she does this every day—ask what materials orupgrades are appropriate for your area and price point. Don’tbe afraid to make changes after the work has started.

Whatever your project may be, careful and thorough plan-ning will surely make for a smoother, more successful renova-tion. There is no doubt that remodeling is a time-consum-ing, complicated process with much deliberation and deci-sion-making. However, with the right people and the rightimprovements, it has proven to be a wise investment that willadd value, comfort and a personal touch to your home.

For more information contact Matthew Johns Construction at912.656.0097.

80 • Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide

New Construction & Remodeling • 656.0097

ile flooring is taken for granted, since it is amongthe most popular kinds of flooring in existence.While there are many different kinds of flooring,but few have been around longer than tile flooring.

Perhaps the earliest examples of tile flooring can be found inthe remnants of Ancient Greece and Rome. The kind of tileflooring popular during that time was mosaic tiling. This

kind of tiling took colored pieces of shells, clay or glass, andarranged them into unique patterns.

Tile flooring continues to be in use in Europe in a variety ofdifferent forms. Perhaps the most notable kind of tile floor-ing was the store tile flooring used in various castles andother structures. This kind of flooring took thin pieces ofstone in various sizes and, using a kind of grout, arrangedthem much in the same way that tiles are arranged today.

Tile flooring can be very plain, and it can be very ornate. Anexample of more ornate tile flooring is marble tile flooring.You would most often see this kind of flooring in opulenthomes, or in public places like banks. If you like this kind offlooring but cannot necessarily afford it, you can purchasetiles that look just like marble tiling.

Another kind of popular tiling still in use today is that ofporcelain tile flooring. This kind of flooring is most oftenused in bathrooms. This is because it can easily be cleaned.Porcelain tiling has also been used in some patios.

If you are considering doing your tile flooring yourself, youmust take several things into consideration. First, you mustmeasure the area that you want to tile, and be sure that themeasurements are exact. Next, once you select thing kind oftile that you want to use, you must measure one of the tilesand thus compare it to the other measurements so that youcan see how many tiles you need.

The next step is finding a suitable grout to secure the tiles tothe floor. It is very important to find sturdy grout, because itwill otherwise crumble and ruin the floor. Thus, with theproper measurements, planning, and tiles, you are sure to cre-ate tile flooring that you will enjoy, while at the same timerecognizing the historical importance of this kind of tiling.

T

82 • Fall 2008 • Savannah’s Home Improvement Guide

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