You need the expertise of a professional to help you design your Arizona landscape. This article will tell you what to look for when hiring an AZ landscape architecture company. The following information will be beneficial to you and will help you avoid costly mistakes, no matter the size or scope of your project.
Whether you’re looking to add functionality and beauty to an empty space or to fix eyesores from an old design, you need to hire a professional. Landscape architecture is just as important as that of a home or building. It can increase the value of your property dramatically if it’s done correctly. That’s why choosing the best AZ landscape architecture company is crucial.
Many times, your landscaping is the first impression people get when they see your home or business. A professional landscape architect will work with you to assess your entire property from front to back, and then provide you with a design that makes everything flow perfectly.
Here are some tips that will help you to avoid choosing the wrong AZ landscape architect company:
A landscaping company or contractor can provide a variety of services. Make sure you choose a professional AZ landscape architecture company that will be able to provide all of your services at one time. Having more than one company work on the same project can become confusing and expensive! It’s best to find one company that can do it all – it will save you money and bring continuity to your project.
Another thing to consider when choosing a professional landscape designer is the number of employees the company has on their team. If you hire a company that operates with two guys from a truck, you may bump into a considerable amount of problems and delays that you probably wouldn’t experience with a larger company. Companies who employ more people usually have skilled workers who have specialties in certain aspects of design, construction, service and maintenance. While they may be a little more expensive, they’ll serve you and your needs better in the long run.
Once you choose a AZ landscape architecture company, find out what their timeline is. Some companies who are in high demand may have to push your project out anywhere from a week to a few months. However, their schedule needs to match yours, especially if you’re involving other contractors on the project. Also, you’ll want to take into consideration the type of project you’re doing. For instance, if you’re incorporating a lot of plants into your design, you’ll want to make sure that the planting can be done at a time that’s best for the plants.
Everyone wants their project finished as quickly as possible. Be patient and plan carefully – this will cause the least amount of stress for all parties involved. You should also be aware that your project probably won’t be the only job they’re working on. Ideally, you want the landscaper to focus on your job from start to finish, but sometimes that can’t be done realistically. However, if you can find out how many jobs they’re working on at once, you can try to schedule yours at a time less busy so you can avoid dragging the project out for weeks, or worse, months.
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What to Look for When Hiring an AZ Landscape Architecture Company
December 27th, 2009A Look at Victorian Architecture Styles
December 17th, 2009Ornate, charming, mysterious, elaborate. All of these words can be used to describe Victorian architecture. But what makes a style Victorian? You might be surprised to find that, not one, but many different styles of architecture are considered Victorian. Just about any home built during or shortly after the reign of England’s Queen Victoria (1840-1900) can be considered Victorian.
With the Industrial Revolution (late 1700′s – early 1800′s) having brought about new machines allowing for mass production and the railroads having improved transportation nationwide, the average person was finally able to get the materials they needed for building fancier and more interesting homes. This availability led to the array of styles we refer to as Victorian. Some of the most notable styles that comprise “Victorian” style architecture are Queen Anne, Second Empire, Italianate, and Stick-Eastlake.
Queen Anne
One of the most widely recognized Victorian styles in the Southern and Western parts of the United States is Queen Anne. Characterized by wide wrap-around porches, multiple balconies and chimneys, round “tower-like” structures, and large bay windows, these homes are what most of us visualize when we think of Victorian architecture. This “gingerbread” style of home is also noted for its unique floor plans consisting of two or more stories.
Second Empire
Named for its notable French elements as in the era of the Second French Empire, this architectural style is seen more in the Northeast and Midwest. Popular for public buildings and state institutions, characteristics of this style include a rectangular tower with a short and steep mansard roof. The crest of the mansard roof was frequently topped with iron trim and sometimes even a lightning rod. Examples include the Old Executive Building in Washington, D. C. and Philadelphia City Hall.
Italianate
In the mid to late 1800′s, the Italianate style began appearing in homes in the Midwest, the East Coast, and the San Francisco area. Inspired by Italian Renaissance characteristics, Italianate style homes have bay windows in front; tall, narrow windows and towers, and small chimneys in rather odd locations. The Garden District of New Orleans contains many fine examples of this style.
Stick-Eastlake
Found predominantly in the Northeast, Stick homes are decorative but not overly ornate. They generally include steeply pitched roofs with overhangs, wooden shingles covering the exterior walls and roof, and squared bay windows. Crown detailing can also be found along the roof peaks. More stylized and decorative versions of the Stick style are usually referred to as Eastlake.
While some architects today still borrow ideas from these styles to create a modern day Victorian home, most Victorian style architecture has become a relic of the past. In some communities you can find neighborhoods filled with beautifully restored historical Victorian homes. Many have become bed and breakfasts, places of business, or simply historical sites for the public to view.
There are several communities throughout the country known for beautifully restored or preserved Victorian architecture. One example is Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where you’ll find the largest array of such architecture in the central United States. The entire town of Eureka Springs is listed on the National Registry of Historical Places, due largely in part to its preservation of its historical Victorian architecture.