[Michael 61]

Just added a wrap-around birdcage to my new patio villa home, so now it’s time to move on to Landscaping. I’ve been here in my new villa neighborhood now for 5 months, so I’ve been able to see what many of my neighbors have done with landscaping. I’ve also been going on golf cart rides to more established villa neighborhoods to get ideas. I’m going to start get estimates, and want to do something tasteful (not going over-board), but still want to make a statement with my landscaping. Looking at some brick work as well. I like the Robellini palms, but that seems to be very common to plant. I have a front yard to landscape, and also the entire side of my home, as I have a corner lot. I want to ditch the Magnolia that came with the house - not sure to replace with another a tree, a palm , or just have no tree in front yard. I know my landscaper will help me with all these questions. I’m thinking of budget of $10,000 for landscaping. Does this seem in the ballpark cost wise? Curious how much others have spent on landscaping when purchasing a brand new home?

[retiredguy123]

Jamies and Choice Maintenance are two good companies, but they will be way more expensive than some others. Several years ago, I got six quotes that ranged from $800 to $5,000 to replace my grass with stones. The $800 quote would not have even been enough to buy the stones. Whatever you do, get a written quote, and do not pay any money in advance. Good luck.

[Michael 61]

First landscaper just left - bid is $9500 - That includes rock walls in front and side of home and theee robellini’s.

[Michael 61]

Not rock, meant brick

[Michael 61]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

Not rock, meant brick

Meant to say brick walls not rock walls - but includes all rock in flower beds.

[Bogie Shooter]

Don’t forget ARC.

[billethkid]

Don't forget to inquire which plants are cold hardy/or not.
Robelini for example are not cold/frost tolerant palms.

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[John Mayes]

Originally Posted by Michael 61

First landscaper just left - bid is $9500 - That includes rock walls in front and side of home and theee robellini’s.

As mentioned before, be very careful of anyone that wants a percentage of the cost before work starts.

Did you mean landscape block or actual brick for the feature walls.

One other suggestion, make sure quote includes all irrigation re-routing and appropriate heads/nozzles.

You’ll get other good advice from others on TOTV.

Have fun with the project. It really transforms a home.

[gobuck827]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Don't forget to inquire which plants are cold hardy/or not.
Robelini for example are not cold/frost tolerant palms.

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"Pygmy date palms are adaptable to a wide range of soil types. They are considered to be cold hardy to USDA zone 10A (30°F), but are widely grown in zone 9B (25°F). "

ENH-600/ST441: Phoenix roebelenii: Pygmy Date Palm

[dtennent]

We were pleased with the work by Distinctive Designs by Lori. She worries about all of the details and makes sure that you stay within the rules for landscaping placement. She has a website that you can check out that has pictures of some of her work.

Landscapers in the Villages - Distinctive Designs By Lori

[daca55]

Once you have a plan of what you want to do, you will need to get approval from the ARC. I have a patio villa and when I landscaped mine the ARC told me what I could and not do. They will give you a permit to do whatever they approve. Good luck!!

[BRN_RI_FL]

We had landscaping done on our first villa including rocks, walls and one Robellini about 5-6 years ago. The cost was about $4,400 which would probably be double today. After the first winter covering the Robellini during frost nights wearing heavy duty gloves to prevent stabbings and still having half of it turn brown from the cold we replaced it with a European fan palm.
Our present villa is one of the few in our area without any post-purchase landscaping done. I actually like the looks of the pine straw mulch compared to everyone’s rocks which will still eventually sprout weeds. When it needs to be refreshed we buy pine-straw bales at Home Depot/Lowe’s.

[La lamy]

I would think twice before putting palms on your property. Mine is huge and I can't imagine the cost of removing it at this point, but they seem to really affect the grass under them. Take a look at that aspect around your neighbourhood. Maybe some are worse than others for this issue. Have fun with your new landscaping!

[huge-pigeons]

We just landscaped our place. We didn’t put in any palm type trees nor any Robellini type trees, because all of our neighbors have had issues with these from the last 2 winters. 1 neighbor has had 2 large palms die during the last 2 winters and now he has to pay $800 to have it removed before he can spends thousands more again to put another tree in its place. We went with plants that you don’t have to worry about if we get a freeze

[crash]

Originally Posted by huge-pigeons

We just landscaped our place. We didn’t put in any palm type trees nor any Robellini type trees, because all of our neighbors have had issues with these from the last 2 winters. 1 neighbor has had 2 large palms die during the last 2 winters and now he has to pay $800 to have it removed before he can spends thousands more again to put another tree in its place. We went with plants that you don’t have to worry about if we get a freeze

Used Magic Garden to remove a 40 ft Wueen Palm only charged $300. It was $125 to have stump ground for 1 then $25 for each additional stump.