Thursday, May 20, 2010

Improve Your Value: Landscape Your Commercial Property

Years ago, two commercial developers were working tracts of land adjacent to one another along a busy highway. The area was bustling, the economy was good, and people were expanding businesses. Knowing they were going head-to-head, each development team to a different track to make sure they made their money.

Developer A built a business park that was simple, maximized his space, with basic no-frills buildings and parking lots. Everything was up to spec and regulation, but the park was very sedate – one might say boring. Sidewalks and a few simple shrubs littered the area, but beyond that – it was basically all about the big box buildings. Rentals for the large spaces were below-cost for the area, making them attractive to the fiscally smart eye of many local companies and businesses.

Developer B did the opposite. He kept the amount of buildings to a minimum. He hired some unique architects to give buildings signature looks. He also blew the bank on landscaping. Not only did he put in beautiful flower beds, he built several lakes, and even a fitness trail running threw his grounds. A FITNESS TRAIL! Fountains and water features doted the landscape. His rents were higher then his neighbors, and he felt justified in passing on a steeper square-footage cost.

Ten years later – guess who is sitting pretty?

Developer B.

While many cost-cutting robber barons jumped onto A’s plan – they weren’t stable tenants. Companies and business drifted in –and-out of the sites. He kept slashing rent, cutting his overhead, till he sold for much less then he ever made.

Developer B on the other hand, had an industrial park that was beloved by the community. Employees loved working there, and employers found a certain cache and status form their tony new digs. In fact, the park became a haven for people who didn’t even work there! People would walk through it, sit by the ponds (man-made), use the fitness trail, and eventually he was able to develop some unused smaller land into commercial mixed-use real estate. Now, he’s buying out his old competitor and making over that site.

Humans are attracted to beauty. We are attracted to water. We like pretty things. Spending money on landscaping, no matter how grandiose or simple is never a bad move. Regardless of whether you are renting homes, commercial real estate, or business property – make it attractive to customers, tenants, and FUTURE tenants. Give your property a name and an edge. Sure, a bed of azaleas might not seem like a investment that will make a great return, but it is!

If you are interested in working with a creative and professional commercial real estate landscaper, give us a call at 704.504.0980.

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Using A Pressure Washer On A Deck

When you have a beautiful outdoor living space such as a deck--you want to spend as much time as humanly possible on it! No matter what style or architecture, any type of deck or outdoor space you have--this usually becomes the center of your friends and family’s lives - the "most used room in the house" is in fact, outdoors!

Yet, your deck have to deal with serious wear and tear from you and your kin, and it faces the elements head first. Whether you deck is wood or composite, periodic cleaning is always a requirement if you want your deck to retain its original prestige and beauty. Think of cleaning as preventative maintenance. This maintenance, done correctly, will add years to your deck and save you valuable time and money in the long run.

The pressure you need to wash your deck surface isn’t a great deal – we aren’t talking about sandblasting. But, it is enough pressure to do damage to soft wood, and enough pressure to leave lapmarks on most composite decking IF you are not careful. While the pressure washer is designed to remove embedded dirt and other contaminants, extreme excessive force on the wood will get rid of more than just the bad! Whether you or a trained person is operating the washer, it is important to treat the scenario with respect and not pretend you are having a water-gun battle. (Which reminds us – don’t use the pressure washer on people. EVER.)

Don’t just wait to power-wash your deck when you are planning to sell your home, it is a good idea to do it yearly. If you have an active family or friend group, you will want to keep your deck clean. You wouldn’t have your children crawling around on a filthy kitchen floor, so why would you have them playing on a dirty deck?

Don't have a deck yet?? We can help. Call Metro GreenScape at 704.504.0980.
Heather - Metro GreenScape
Charlotte Lawn & Landscape

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Pergolas


Did you know... We do Pergolas!

What do you think of when you see the Metro GreenScape logo? Do you think of great outdoor kitchens, beautiful landscaping, or our great customer service?

Well, we certainly want you to remember us for those things, but you should also know that we design and build excellent pergolas! Pergolas are a beautiful accent for any home and provide an outdoor "room" space with just the right amount of shade.

Have you ever wanted a pergola? Call us today at 704.504.0980.

We Have Moved!


We have moved!

We have outgrown our great little location on S. Tryon and moved to a new building at 5019 Wilkinson Blvd. This new location has plenty of space for our equipment and vehicles and easy access to Route 77.

The new office has undergone quite a transformation in the last few weeks as we have worked hard to get it ready for us AND ready for you! We have a conference room where we now have a place to spread out and show our customers their plans & discuss their new outdoor living spaces!

We are still putting on the finishing touches, like new signs and some landscaping of our own, but we are starting to settle in and the place has become quite a comfortable office.

We look forward to serving you this summer and we look forward to having the opportunity to share our new office space as well!

Heather Brockelbank
Chief Designer, NCLC#1624, CPP, CLD, NCGC
Metro GreenScape