Do’s and Don’ts of Curb Appeal
According to Money magazine, a beautiful landscape will increase the value of your property by 100% to 200%. There’s just one caveat: if it’s done right.
Take a look at some of the mistakes property owners make, so you can learn what NOT to do:
Doing it yourself.
Some business owners fail to realize the amount of time and energy proper landscaping will require, when they really need to focus on their business. It’s a good idea to develop a plan with the landscaper you choose. Decide what your goals are, how you want to get there, and what regular maintenance will be required. It’s smart, and will save you time and extra costs.
Choosing pretty plants and flowers.
There’s nothing wrong with selecting visually appealing vegetation, but be sure that the flowers and plants you choose are also low-maintenance, so you’re not spending so much time and money keeping them looking nice. Also make sure they are hardy and able to handle the seasons in your region of the country.
Forgetting to rake.
It seems like a basic task, but who has time for raking? If you’re too busy managing and growing your business, as you should be, call on professionals to remove leaves, debris and other excess materials that can negatively impact your landscape.
Treating your landscape as an ornament.
Too often, property owners think of landscaping in terms of something visual only. But to get the maximum benefit, you should think of it as functional, too. For example, did you know you can save on cooling costs if you plant shade trees in the south and west sides of your office building? They soak up the sun’s rays and help to cool down indoor spaces. They also improve air quality when they absorb carbon dioxide and deliver oxygen to the environment. And speaking of functional, smart landscape planning and design can help shield you from traffic noise, especially when most businesses are located in busy, high-traffic areas.
Going generic.
When you design a plan for your landscape, don’t forget the saying, “Design for your audience.” What type of consumer are you trying to attract? What is the cost of your products and services? Believe it or not, if you want people to pay more, your landscape is a factor in determining what they’ll be willing to pay. So don’t think generically. Work with professionals to develop a strategy that will attract the customers you want for your business.
Failing to protect your investment.
Proper landscaping is an investment. If you neglect to maintain it, you’ll lose money. That’s why it’s so important to set up a regular maintenance schedule with your landscaper, to ensure that your investment continues to pay off!
The Veron Company is dedicated to providing organic, environmentally-friendly and beautiful landscaping, as well as other services. Keep checking our blog for more maintenance tips, and contact us today to let us go to work for you!
The Veron Company, serving Marlborough, Massachusetts and surrounding areas, including Cape Cod since 1982.
