Landscaping projects can be a lot of fun, and since we’re in the best season for it, you’re probably itching for any chance to go outside and dig in. But you won’t make it very far if you don’t have all the landscape materials you need. It doesn’t matter if you’re working on a huge project or a tiny little project in the corner of your yard; you’re going to need the right stuff, but it’s about more than the physical materials. You have to know quantities, logistics, and more. This leaves a lot of room for the unprepared to make mistakes, so in this blog, we’re going to make sure you get the materials for affordable landscaping the right way.
Underestimating Material Quantities
This is one of the most common mistakes people make. Twelve bags of mulch might seem like a lot on their own, but they go fast when you literally have a lot of ground to cover. If you’ve ever been in this situation, you know it can be frustrating to put your project on hold while you take another trip to your landscape supplier. Don’t worry, though, because there are solutions.
The most diligent thing you can do is to take accurate measurements of whatever area you’re working in. We know this can get a bit tricky depending on the project, and we’re happy to help you out if you get in touch with us! We can provide:
- Estimates on how much material you need for your space
- Tips specific to your project
- Delivery estimates that will help you avoid under- or over-ordering
Not Considering the Proper Type of Landscape Materials
If you aren’t thoughtful about your material choices, the end result of your project may be disappointing. In some cases, it could even be damaging to your landscape. But how? For one, using the wrong mulch could affect soil health, and choosing gravel that doesn’t allow proper drainage could mean water damage to your plants and land. Simply selecting the cheapest mulch you can find often won’t yield optimal results. Remember: More often than not, there’s a reason cheap materials are cheap. At RELS, we aim to be a quality landscape supplier, meaning we don’t carry the low-end stuff (but that doesn’t mean we don’t offer affordable landscaping).
Here are things to consider before selecting the right kinds of materials:
- Soil: Does your garden need a lot of nutrients or a soil that offers good drainage?
- Mulch: Is your priority weed control, moisture retention, or aesthetics?
- Stone: Will it be used for walkways, erosion control, or decoration?
As always, if you aren’t quite sure what you need after making these considerations, your local landscape supplier is happy to help.
Ignoring Delivery Logistics
So you’ve selected the perfect landscaping materials and triple checked you’re getting the perfect amount. Everything is smooth sailing from here, right? Not necessarily. There’s still the question of delivery logistics to take into account, as falling short here can cause some major headaches. Uneven terrain, narrow driveways, or other forms of limited access can often result in materials being dropped off in undesirable locations—perhaps a bit too far from the project site.
Be sure to maintain communication with us and plan ahead so you can anticipate and adapt to these transportation wrenches that could be thrown into your plan. We recommend providing photos and other details about your property layout so these issues can be properly anticipated.
Ordering at the Last Minute
Are you familiar with the stress of ordering Christmas gifts on December 23rd and not being sure if they’ll arrive in time for the holiday? There’s a similar feeling associated with ordering landscape materials. In peak seasons, high demand may necessitate pre-emptive ordering on your part. Order your materials as soon as you can, especially during:
- Spring and early summer
- Holiday weekends
- Big promotions and sales
Of course, we will always do whatever we can to ensure everyone gets what they need when they need it, but a little proactive buying never hurt any landscaper!
Overlooking Weather Conditions
Weather is a big factor in any landscaping project. What happens if mulch or top soil become soggy or even frozen before you’re ready to use them? They’ll become difficult to work with or even lose some of their valuable nutrients, potentially reducing the health of the plants that will grow in them.
Leading up to both your material purchases and the project itself, keep a keen eye on the forecast and plan accordingly. Cover materials with a tarp if rain is expected. Additionally, you can store them on high ground so no water pools around them.
Not Double-Checking Your Order
A surprise birthday party is great. A surprise in your landscape materials order… not so much. To avoid an accidental over- or under-charge, be sure to double check your order before finalizing it.
- Verify the type and grade of the products you’re ordering.
- Confirm the correct quantity and delivery date are included in the details (order hiccups are often the result of incorrect numbers being selected).
- Double check that your order is being sent to the proper address, and while you’re at it, take one last look at the delivery instructions.
Come to RELS for Quality, Affordable Landscaping
When it comes to landscape materials, a little planning can go quite a long way. If you avoid the common mistakes we’ve discussed above—underestimating quantities, not considering material type, ignoring delivery logistics, procrastinating, not double-checking your order, or forgetting to take weather into account—your project will go off without a hitch!
Need help with making these decisions or getting the right materials (and quantities) to your project site? Get in touch! We’re happy to be your trusted landscape supplier.