First Time Homebuyer’s Guide for Landscaping and Tree Work in Woodstock (..and everywhere else!)

Buying a home is easily one of the most exciting times of anyone’s life. It can also be terrifying. It’s expensive, time-consuming, and a misstep can end up costing you a boatload of cash. Of course, some things cannot be avoided – but if you’re a homeowner looking for any landscape improvements, there are quite a few things that you can do.

These things will not only keep a good deal of money in your pocket, but you’ll have a much better understanding of your property’s topography, which will always come in handy down the road – should you need additional work, whatever that may be.

Truth be told, it’s not all that difficult. If you keep a few things in mind that detailed in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to a house that you love coming home to – inside and out!

Understanding Your Options

We think the first thing to understand is what you have regarding local laws, associations, or anything else regarding the logistical process. At this point – assuming you’re pretty far into the process – some homeowner administrations are more stringent than others. Some may state that you can’t remove certain bushes, trees, or they may strongly recommend a certain type of grass to maintain uniformity. Should you not do these things, you’re going to more than likely incur a fine.

Or, there’s a chance that they may not care at all.

In any event, it’s in your best interest to understand exactly what’s required of you before you add or subtract anything – regardless of how minor or major you consider it to be.

Outside of that, your city or town may require permits before any work is done. While most Woodstock tree care companies don’t deal with many permits in the city limits itself for certain jobs, most still have a decent understanding of what other cities/townships may in your area.

Furthermore, understanding these laws may help you greatly if you’re looking to plant trees near city property, for example – planting a tree by a city sidewalk. Additionally, what kind of permitting may be needed for an outside structure.

Know Your Property

Knowing your property is truly important for all tree care in Woodstock or its surrounding areas. While there’s a fantastic chance that any service provider will ask these questions, you’d be surprised how many times representatives ask seemingly simple questions without a definitive answer.

For most tree work or landscaping – you’ll more than likely need to know where your plumbing, underground lines, sewage, buried pet fences, and property lines are. There’s a chance that you won’t run into any problems with a tree company that’s been in business for multiple decades – as they generally know what they’re doing and have seen it all – but understanding where will diminish these problems even further.

Safety is Key

Above all else, safety is key here. If you’re looking for something in terms of strictly tree care, we feel that there are a few things that should be at the forefront about the tree itself and the people that you hire to do it. But first, allow us to state –

The removal of trees should always be done by professionals. If not, you may be risking much more than a roof replacement or just looking at an unsightly tree. Only deal with licensed, bonded, and insured companies.

Even if you’re looking at a tree trimming job that’s just off the ground, it will always be better to bite the bullet and hire a professional as opposed to gassing up the chainsaw and getting on a step-ladder. It’s simply not worth it.

Furthermore, safety also extends to the existing issues, such as a dead tree/limb, branches that can hit the roof (generally 5-8 ft from the roof line), and/or tall/skinny pines that seem to sway in the wind. Fortunately, the state of Georgia isn’t one that is known for problematic storms as many parts of the country, but we all know that when things get hairy, things can happen in a moment’s notice.

This segues into our last point, as most homeowners can’t usually diagnose any landscaping or tree care problems.

Insist on Professionals

Of course, you’ll always want professionals to do the work, but understand that a great deal of them are a wealth of knowledge. What’s more is that they’re willing to share with you what they know for free! Tree care companies in Woodstock and beyond provide a service, but they’re also pretty darned good at being able to look at a tree and determine whether or not it’s something that could cause problems.

Sometimes, they can even tell a homeowner when a certain is more likely to occur. It may not be an exact science, but it’s more than likely much more experience than the standard homeowner has.

This includes dead/dying trees, insect infestations, and general assistance on the best course of action for a given tree. This includes pricing, successful practices for grass/foliage growth, and many other common issues for landscaping.

Plan it Out!

If you’re looking at a landscaping project or any Woodstock tree care, you’ll need a solid plan. Let’s face it – it may not be the cheapest undertaking. After material costs (if that’s worked out in your contract), labor, and whatever else your particular job may require – you’ll need a solid plan to enact.

However, if there’s any tree work to be done, you may want to consider that first. Chances are, it may be one of the more comprehensive parts of the job. Additionally, getting any tree work done first may allow for the rest of the landscaping to be done much easier, especially if you may need to install new grass or what have you.

If you’re a first time home buyer – congratulations! However, understand that your journey has just begun. In any event, after you’ve sorted everything out, you’ll truly have the home of your dreams!

Questions? We’re here to help!