DAN'S PAPERS, April 2, 2010 Page 26 www.danshamptons.com
BUSINESS Givin’ You the
Using Indigineous Plants–and Planters
By T.J. Clemente It’s that time of year to spruce up the landscaping around your home or business and yes, in this down economy there are some savings and deals available. But one area where any homeowner should not skimp is in hiring a true professional landscaper, if it’s for your own property, or to prepare a property for sale. Jim Ashby of Atlantic Landscape Design and Construction, said landscaping can be a huge factor in getting your price if you’re looking to sell your home. Jose Alvarez of Humberto’s Landscape concurred, explaining that for people like himself and Ashby, who are sons of the founders of their companies, the work is not a job but a “passion.” Ashby starting working for his dad at the age of 13, some 30 years ago, while Alvarez began work in his father Humberto’s business at the age of 14, more than two decades ago. Ashby explained that now, with so many fly-by-night operations starting up, there are dangers of having inexperienced hands putting in the wrong landscaping products in order to make a quick buck. “Often, like in the 1990s, we were called in mid summer to redo homes after everything pretty much died,” said Ashby. “It was awful.” Alvarez said he sends his crews out every year for new classes and instruction, keeping them up on the most current techniques in enhancing the value of their landscaping service to their clients. “Our clients are like our family,” said Alvarez, “we are a family business—my and dad
and I are here for the long haul. We know their shrubs, lawns and trees. We mourn all tree losses so we do all we can to keep everything in prime condition.” Ashby takes pride in his designs of pool placements, patios, and walkways, saying that his company’s mantra is “Concept to Competition.” In fact, a Blue Point business that used Atlantic Landscape Design and Construction to the tune of a $70,000 landscape job reported back to Ashby that last year their sales were “up—huge because the landscaping drew in new customers.” Ashby explained that the soil on the East End requires a specific type of shrub and planting technique for the plant material to survive. “Often new operations will buy the least expensive shrubs from like, North Carolina, to save money, but the soil down there is clay based and those shrubs will die in a few months. We know what will grow based on our 30-plus years in the community. We pride ourselves in knowing what to plant for each home.” Alvarez added, “It’s not about just turning over lawns, it’s doing the small things that make a lawn thrive, things inexperienced crews don’t know or won’t do—to save money.” Ashby stressed that his role with the firm is more of design expert. He has a few exciting projects in the planning stages because of the opportunities of the down market conditions. Like Alvarez, Ashby’s company does it by the book, “the right way—the way my father taught me
as a boy. We use local materials and, like the fact that local produce may cost a touch more, doing it the right way saves you money because you only have to do it once.” Alvarez is of the same thinking. “My father instilled in me a pride in our profession, our vocation. It is who we are, and it is how we earn our respect, by doing it right every day.” Another respected firm that cares and does it the right way is Countryside Lawn and Tree, under the tutelage of the well respected Bill Staiger. All three firms bring value to their client’s properties because they have the knowledge of experience and the tradition of doing things that work because of their respect for the trade.
ALL BUSINESS New York State Senator Ken LaValle secured state funds for the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center to venture into the world of high-end audio recording. PAC is now capable of state-of-the-art, 24 channel, multi-track audio recording using Digidesign’s Pro Tools HD 2 Accel. Dr. Alexander Covey, director of East End Laser Care in Southampton, Center Moriches, and Manhattan, was selected for the sixth time by the Castle Connolly Guide as one of the “Top Doctors in New York” based on an extensive survey of over 12,000 doctors and hospital leaders.
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