Well Spring is here – but you can hardly tell in Central Oregon.   We have had snow most of the day today.  Temps are in the 40′s with night time lows in the teens.   Usually we would be getting the house and yard ready for spring.  But instead we are in a holding patter, waiting for the temperatures to increase and the snow to go away.   But at Home Fridays we are ready to jump in as soon as the weather breaks and get our clients yards looking good. 

What is involved in a spring clean for the yard? That is the startng up of the irrigation and fixing all those broken sprinkler heads, making sure no pipes cracked over the long winter.  And replacing any connections or pipes that did get broken.    Pruning all the shrubs and trees.  Pulling any weeds or plants that didn’t make it through the winter.  Cutting the grass and edging the lawn and applying the fertilzer.  Of course there are  extras that will really bring on the shine – adding new bark throughout the beds, new plants and of course adding annual color.   

Necrotic ring spot is a fungus that has become more prevelant in Bend.  Annual aerating, over-seeding with a fungus resistant strain of grass and top dressing the lawn with a nutrien rich compost which absorbs tand retains water to keep the lawn cooler are all ways to combat necrotic ring spot.  More information can be found at www.ext.colostate.edu/pub/garden/02900.html

Keep your home looking good and take care of the yard – it is so much easier to keep it up then try and fix up a run down, overgrown yard. 

In my business I hear so many stories about jobs gone bad.  I think the value of good contractor can not be overstated. 

It is key to get a good bid.  Check out the references and see if they have a history of ‘bid creep’.  That is when you start out with a number you like, but then as the job goes along more $$$ keep being thrown in.  Now it is one thing if you change your mind and request new things as the job goes.  But if the price of materials, unknown items and all the things the contractor forget just ‘creep’ in – well that just doesn’t work well for me.   I want my owners to know what it will cost and be able to budget at the max amount.  So be sure to check the contractors history.

Accessiblilty is key – can I call the contractor?  Do they return my calls in a timely manner.  This all is reflective of great customer service.  I want to reach you when it is conveinent for my schedule. 

References and knowledge of the area are another critical component.  I hear about floor guys clearing roofs of snow or contractors drying out houses that don’t know what they are doing.  It just isn’t worth it to be the ‘first’ time they have done that kind of work.  Unless you are an expert on the area (and have time to be there in person every day) make sure your contractor knows what he is doing. 

Do they stick to the timeline and budget – I can’t stand a 3 week job that turns to 6 weeks.  It is one thing if the weather gets in the way of an outdoor job.  But if your job is small and they just can’t make time.  Well that just isn’t an excuse.

Do they clean up after themselves.  I do not think that you should have to have a cleaning crew in to clean up after a job.  If the furniture isn’t returned to it’s correct location or the garbage is left at the house from opening up parts.  All contractors should clean up after themselves. 

I have found contractors that I love and take good care of my clients.  And I in turn am happy to refer them out.  If the contractor understands good customer service – then we all win.  Happy clients, bills paid – great experience.