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Landscaping Costs
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?
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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.
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First landscaper just left - bid is $9500 - That includes rock walls in front and side of home and theee robellini’s.
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Not rock, meant brick
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Don’t forget ARC.
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Don't forget to inquire which plants are cold hardy/or not.
Robelini for example are not cold/frost tolerant palms. ______________________________________________ :censored: |
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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. |
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ENH-600/ST441: Phoenix roebelenii: Pygmy Date Palm |
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 |
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!!
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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. |
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!
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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
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Landscaping
I am recommending Morgan’s Whole 9 Yards. Robert Morgan owner. 352-203-8410. He revamped our neglected yard to the delight of our neighbors and us. As his company name says he does everything. He is a native to this area so knows what works and what doesn’t.
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you should have one plan and shop that plan rather then having each landscaper suggest doing something different.
That's the only way to compare prices. I think $10,000 is on the high side for a small lot |
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Personally the only palm I would plant is either a Roebelenii or a European palm, and only one. Make sure it is well away from the birdcage, home, walkway or your lamp post. Everything in FL grows faster than you think. These palms stay at a reasonable height but do require maintenance. You will need to protect the Roebelenii when it is young, when our temps get into the 20’s for any length of time. The European is good to 10 degrees but hopefully we don’t see that here |
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Beware of any fruit bearing trees, even date palm. When the fruit is mature you’ll have rats flocking to your yard.
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Landscaping
I think Sabal palms are the best
For landscaping. Landscapers often oversell and overplant. Plants grow very fast In florida, so I would make sure you leave a lot of open space. $10,000 sounds like too much for a patio villa, since the yards are small. I would strongly advise you keep it simple. You can always put pots out later. |
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Can I ask what they told you that you could and could not do? I want to replace my grass with stones in front but backyard should be ok? It is a walled courtyard |
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Some contractors will agree to get ARC approval or a permit so they can start as soon as possible. Then, when you ask to see the permit, they say that they still haven't received it. |
Landscaping costs
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I have neighbors who spent over $20k on their landscaping. The plant you recommended putting in has needles that can kill a person. I would not have used it if I was starting over again. I love all my flowering plants and mule palm. Mule palms also have needles that can kill but look great. Get multiple estimates and compare apples to apples. My landscaping turned out great! Good luck. |
Call E&B LANDSCAPONG
3524616500. They did mine and8 neighbors . |
I do not think ARC will allow you to remove Magnolia if is still in reasonable condition.
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There are some beautiful rustic landscapes that don’t have brick that I think Terrascapes has done. Very different. They’re on 301. You may want to.give them a call. If you drive thru Elijah Villa off Marshbend in Deluna you’ll see one they did. It’s on the right side, the 3 or fourth house. Very well done b
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Also, one might ask a potential contractor for the addresses of past clients, to look at how the jobs look now. The home owners might tell you how they like the job now, several years later. Our contractor made some mistakes that we were too naïve at the time to avoid |
Just be sure and submit your plan for approval by ARC.
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Get your own ARC approval. Very simple process, the form is in your phone book. Call them, or go in, they are easy to work with and VERY HELPFUL! Don’t rely on a contractor, some are good and others are either no good or just lazy. Oh, that was okay last time so I figured it would be okay here! Not always true! Talk to the Master Gardener group about the palms and plants that do well in our climate zone. They can also advise on the pros and cons of different plants. They are usually Villagers who have done extensive studying. They have no skin in the game.
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We have 10 palms on our property, never had any headaches just normal maintenance, same as grass and bushes. If you don't want to pay for maintenance don't plant any.
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