Construction Process

Plans & Designs
At Bryan's Lawn Maintenance and Landscape, Inc., we pride ourselves on developing unique planting plans. Proper planning is the very first step taken when we begin to develop a beautiful landscape. It takes a great deal of time, expertise, and effort to create just the right plan. That is how we make our living. Plan development fees are based on the size of the project and the amount of details that are required to develop them.

Soil Preparation
We will till the bed areas to a depth of four to six inches. Then, we will add topsoil or soil amendments to create the very best environment for your plants. We then till in the amendments thoroughly. The soil is raked and contoured to have positive drainage out of the bed area. During this process, we will remove any debris that may hinder plant growth.

Bed Definition
We will establish a vertical trench to neatly separate the lawn or concrete from the bed area. Our process of establishing bed lines will give your landscape the manicured and professional appearance you will be proud of. We recommend using edging material (i.e., aluminum, steel or plastic) only in very special circumstances, such as walkway definition.

Plant Materials
Select of the plants for your project began years ago as we gained experience planting and caring for a wide variety of shrubs, trees and flowers. We continue to experiment with new plant selections that we believe have promise and exceptional qualities. We work with growers all over the Southeast to bring the very best, highest quality, best value and most durable plants to your garden. Our knowledge of leading growers and years of testing plants on hundreds of projects leads us to make the recommendations that are found on your materials list. Feel free to inquire about special or new varieties that you are familiar with. We are always happy to locate and learn about great plants that you are familiar with.

Weed Control
We will apply a pre-emergent herbicide to all be areas after we install the new plant materials. We rake out noxious weeds or roots during the preparation of your beds. A weed control program consists of hand weeding, spot treating with Round-up and application of selective herbicides when problem weeds persist. Your bed areas should remain 90% weed free for 30 days after planting. An effective weed control program begins during the installation process. The efforts you put into weed control the first season after your new beds have been established will impact your bed maintenance for years to come. Weeds will always be present in a fertile growing environment. Our intention is to always minimize weeds with no injury to shrubs, ground covers, or trees.

Plant Care Guidelines
"Bryan's Basics for Landscape Investors" provides you with specific actions to take in establishing your new landscape. You are expected to read and refer to this publication often during the first year of establishment. The guidelines we provide answer the common questions about watering, fertilization, pruning, mowing, weed control, pest control and maintenance duties. We provide a monthly newsletter, "Bryan's Briefs." We cover upcoming events in our maintenance schedule. This informative but brief article can keep you on track with your pruning, fertilization and watering schedule. We give updates on seasonal lawn care specials only offered to our very best clients. A one-year subscription is $36.00. We can provide this to you via e-mail for $12.00 per year. We guarantee that you will stay informed on the latest news and procedures that we use in our landscape maintenance department. The information we will provide you will tell you how to keep your new garden in the best shape possible and how to prevent wasteful expenses.

Pest Management
We inspect all plants upon delivery to our nursery. If any plant material has signs of pest problems, we will treat them as needed. Our goal is to use top quality plants in our designs that have very few potential pest problems. We only buy our plants from licensed nurseries that pass regular inspections by the State Department of Agriculture. Our staff is training and licensed by the State of South Carolina to provide pest control services on turfgrass and ornamental plants.

Scheduling
We will work as quickly as possible to create the garden of your dreams. First time landscape design clients can expect their project to be completed within 60 days of our first contract. The time of year and our current obligations greatly impact when we can complete your project. We place new clients on a first come, first serve basis of scheduling. Springtime is always our busiest season and poor weather conditions in the Winter create delays in our landscape projects. It is our goal to complete your project as quickly as we can. When we begin your job we will not stop until it is finished. You will have our full attention during the time we work for you and we will utilize our entire resources to keep the construction time to a minimum. We appreciate your patience for delays beyond our control.

Clean-Up
All concrete surfaces, patios, decks, and parking areas will be blown clean of debris from the landscape construction process. This process may include washing of concrete surfaces that are soiled during the construction. It is our goal to leave the property in better conditions than the way we found it.

Personnel
A Landscape Installation Crew consists of a Crew Supervisor and one or two Landscape Installation Technicians. Your Account Manager or Project Designer will be able to discuss scheduling, answer technical horticultural questions and pricing for add-on services or improvements to your landscape display. Our Office Manager will be your initial phone contact at Bryan's Lawn Maintenance and Landscape, Inc. The Office Manager will be responsible for billing questions, scheduling questions, work records and for passing information to appropriate personnel. If a problem arises that cannot be resolved by any of the personnel listed, you may contact me, Bryan Starnes. I will be here to insure our Landscape Installation Staff provides timely and professional service each day, each month, and each year.

Payment
We require a deposit of 25% of the total job price upon acceptance of our proposal. We will take other draws if needed depending on the size of the job. This allows us to purchase a portion of the materials and secure a place on our installation schedule. The balance of the job is payable upon completion and final walkover. Any delays in payment or outstanding balances on your bill will be cause for cancellation of your warranty. We accept cash or check at Bryan's.

Our Powerful Guarantee
If a plant that we install on your project does not perform as it should, we will replace it free of charge for one full year after installation. If you hire our company to provide lawn maintenance services immediately following an installation project, we will extend that warranty for the duration of uninterrupted maintenance services. Some of our clients have had their plants under warranty for more than ten year! RISK-FREE LANDSCAPING! If we design it, plant it and maintain it, we guarantee it! This does not cover acts of God or seasonal color/perennial plants. You must follow the guidelines provided to you in "Bryan's Basics for Landcape Investors." If you have any questions about your warrant, consult your Project Manger. I am absolutely confident you will understand why Bryan's Lawn Maintenance and Landscape, Inc. is Columbia's landscape company of choice. I look forward to a long and satisfying relationship with you.