The following list contains
some frequently asked questions from our clients.
Also we have included important questions that we
believe you should have answered in order to make an
informed decision.
Yes. Would you build a
house without a plan?
Look around you. You can
tell which home
landscapes have been
thoughtfully planned and
installed by a qualified
professionals. There is
a flow, function and
beauty that add value to
the property. Because
plant materials and
hardscapes will be with
you for the long haul,
take time to consult
with an experienced
designer . Your RLS
plan will be created in
close consultation with
you, based on an
assessment of your
needs, preferences,
maintenance issues, and
budget.
Why do you charge a
fee for your designs?
Contrary to what others
might say, there is no
such thing as a "free"
landscape plan. Design
costs are often hidden
in installation charges.
Our fees are nominal,
considering the time and
expertise RLS
Designers apply to your
landscape design. RLS
charges these design
costs up front. That
way, you own your
landscape plan. That
enables you to phase the
installation or seek
alternate bids. While we
are happy to create your
design, we certainly
would like to provide
you with our expert
installation , too!
Remember that adage,
"You get what you pay
for!"
What will I get with
my plan?
Along with a scale
drawing, based on a
survey of your property,
you will receive a bid
for installation of all
hardscapes and plant
materials according to
the plan. We also
provide detailed
cultural information and
photos on all plants,
drawn from our
Horticopia database.
What time of year is
best to plant?
For most plants any time
the ground is not
frozen. The notion that
you can only plant from
April-June and
September-November is a
myth. Ask us questions
about specific plants.
Our RLS Care
Guide will help you
ensure planting success.
How much should I
budget for landscape
installation?
Architects have
determined that 10% of
the cost of a new home
should be devoted to
plant/renovate the
outdoor environment.
This is only a
guideline, and may vary
significantly from site
to site, depending on
property size and the
desires of the
homeowner.
Should I install the
entire landscape at
once?
It's more economical to
do it all at once, but
many choose to install
their landscapes in
phases over several
seasons. Do what works
best for you. A
well-designed plan from
the RLS Designers
can guide you over the
years..
How do I determine
what grows best and
where?
Don't worry about it! As
a professional
design/build company
this is our job. RLS
Designers will consider
the various
micro-climates of your
site to ensure success.
However, no planting is
maintenance-free. If
periodic maintenance is
your concern, be sure to
raise this issue so you
can understand what will
be required from season
to season. Thoughtful
landscapes are designed
to avoid excessive
maintenance and allow
ample space for plants
to mature.
What kind of
guarantee does your
company carry on
materials and
workmanship?
All work performed by
RLS carries a
100% satisfaction
guarantee. With some
exceptions, all of our
plant material carries a
replacement guarantee.
In addition to these
guarantees, many of the
non-plant material
products that we use
also come with a
guarantee from the
manufacturer. Our
one-year warranty does
not cover plant
mortality due to
circumstances beyond our
control, including fire,
flood, drought,
pestilence, storm,
vandalism, abuse,
neglect, catastrophe,
construction damage and
soil alteration, nor
does it cover the cost
of labor. Our RLS
Care Guide will help
ensure planting success.
What sizes and grades
of plant material will
be used in my landscape
project? Is it balled
and burlapped or
container grown?
The highest grade of
plant material is used
by RLS in our
landscapes. The
Landscape Designer for
your project chooses
individual plants for
characteristics such as
size, shape, density,
expected growth, flower
color, and overall
health. RLS
strives to use all
balled and burlapped
material due to overall
superiority in growth
and hardiness compared
to container-grown
stock. Due to growth
characteristics of some
plant material,
container-grown may be
chosen as a better
option.
Will the plant
material used be locally
grown or shipped in from
out of the area?
Over 90% of the plant
material used is grown
by either RLS or
a local wholesale
nursery. This practice
ensures that the plant
is hardy for the climate
and is able to grow in
your soil type. We also
are proud of our use of
locally grown stock,
which keeps more of
local tax dollars
working in our
communities.
What methods does
your company use to
install the following
basics of landscaping?
Plant Material: RLS starts with
the highest quality
plant material, next the
hole is dug large enough
to ensure there is
adequate room for new
root growth, the plant
is then placed in the
hole at the proper
growing height and
interfering burlap or
twine is removed, then
the hole is backfilled
with a combination of
existing soil and a
custom blended planting
mix for your soil type,
finally the area is
watered as needed to
provide the proper
environment for growth.
Unit Pavers: First, the existing area
is excavated and
properly contoured to
exacting grades using
laser guides. Next, the
industry required 8-12"
of compacted and leveled
gravel base is
installed. Then, a layer
of mason sand or crushed
limestone is laid to
provide a seating base
for the pavers. Finally,
the pavers are set with
a slight slope to ensure
proper water runoff and
the joints are filled
with a jointing sand to
properly lock the pavers
together.
Retaining Walls: Our retaining walls
start with the same
compacted base as our
pavers. The retaining
wall is installed to the
proper height for the
application and desired
design, while keeping
joints overlapped for
strength and level for
stability. A 4"
perforated drain tile
and clear washed stone
is installed behind the
wall to eliminate water
build-up, which is the
No.1 cause for retaining
wall failure. After the
wall is completed the
top layers are cut to
the exact sizes and
angles to eliminate the
gaps that are made by
the corners and curves
in the retaining wall.
Seed And Sod: RLS starts all seed
and sod jobs with the
finest of turf grasses
that are chosen
specifically for your
job. In order to provide
the proper growing
environment, the
existing soil is tilled,
pulverized, and cleaned
of foreign material.
Then the area is leveled
and graded to allow for
runoff of excess water.
This is followed by
application of a starter
fertilizer to provide
the nutrients that your
grass will need
immediately. The grass
seed is applied once on
both directions and the
sod is laid with special
care paid to overlap the
seams. The area is then
rolled to provide a
smoother finished
surface. Watering must
begin immediately to
keep sod seams from
drying and opening up.
Do I need
an irrigation system, and when is it installed?
An
irrigation system can
make your life simpler,
especially in seasons of
extended drought, when
trees and shrubs need
supplemental water. RLS recommends
Irrigators, a local
irrigation installer.
After your landscape
features and planting
beds have been designed,
but before installation
of seed and sod, your
system can be designed
and installed by the
irrigation contractor.
Ideally the system
should be installed in
coordination with RLS
Designers.
Do you have
a list of references and job sites for some
background information into your company and
it's work?
We carry a
comprehensive list of builders, developers, and
contractors that you will be able to contact.
Please ask them questions about our services and
products. We also have available a list of job
sites that have been chosen to show our new
customers the type of work RLS can
perform and also to give you different
landscaping ideas.
Does your company
carry insurance to guard
against costly claims?
RLS is a fully
insured company to
protect our employees,
equipment, and the job
sites at which work is
being performed. A copy
of our insurance is
available upon request.