AG VanGundy Landscape, Inc. & AG Landscape Materials, Inc.

Now is a great time for planning your landscape. Whether it be a curb appeal face lift for your home or your commercial property or a new back yard living space complete with a new patio, outdoor barbeque, and fireplace or privacy issues, this time of winter is best for planning and designing. Typically, you won’t be “up against the wall” for time and most landscape designers/sales reps have additional time to give you and your job more personalized attention than in the rush of the spring. This is why we here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. stress to call us early! Once the warmer temperatures arrive, most people will then call on the Landscape companies for quotes, designs… When this time of the year occurs, scheduling appointments may become a little less convenient for you as the “optimum” times will book up quickly. As our economy seems to be on the up swing, we anticipate that 2011 will be a busy year; however, we are currently pricing 2011 jobs using 2010 dollars. This is another reason to book early. Please know, however, that A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. strives to accommodate our clients and our potential clients; however, there are only so many hours in a day and so many days in a week.

If you are thinking about a larger job which will require a building permit from your town or village and want it to be completed early enough for you to enjoy most of the year, we will have plenty of time now to complete the design and make any needed adjustments before filing for the permit. Most towns and villages now require permits for patios, retaining walls, driveways, and in some cases even drain tile work. In addition to expanding their permit requirements, many of villages have reduced their building department staff, which has increased the amount of time needed for getting a permit approved. The permit approval process, which previously was a simple 2 – 3 day process has now become a 2 – 3 week process in some villages that are requiring more and more specifications. Some towns are now even requiring engineering prints and seals for retaining walls over 24” – 30” high. I’m not telling you of these new requirements to scare you off of doing your project; I just want to inform you of what some of you may be up against. We here at A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc. have worked with a majority of the towns/villages here in the Chicago area and I have to admit, we have a pretty good working relationship with most of those building departments. We understand that they have limitations, as do most of us, and are willing and able to work with them and act as your liaison to get your permit approved. But, why not start this process as early as possible? The longer you wait on this, the longer the permit process will probably take.

I’m sure plenty of you are thinking about changing some things in your current landscape, but aren’t quite sure what to do. Where do you get “the most bang for your buck”? For ideas, there are plenty of publications and t.v. shows, but I think a great way to get ideas and/or meet contractors early in the season is to attend one of the week-end home improvement shows that occur just about every week-end somewhere in the Chicago area. Currently we are scheduled to be at two local home shows within the next few months. On February 25 – 27, 2011 we will be at the Home show in Arlington Heights and on March 12 & 13, 2011, will be at the home show in Palatine at Harper College. This is a great opportunity for people to come out and talk to us personally about you’re wants and needs for landscaping, look through our portfolios of before and after shots and of some of our completed projects. This also give you an opportunity to set up a free first appointment (with some restrictions) right then. We love taking part in these home shows as it gives us an opportunity to “show our stuff” to potential clients in the area.

For more information regarding planning for spring, check out our previous blogs from January, 2010, I think you’ll find them informative.

For more information regarding A.G. VanGundy Landscape, Inc., please visit us at www.agvangundy.com or call us at (630) 295-8190. We’ll be more than happy to go over the areas we service and the services that we offer.