Synthetic Turf Lawn

You may be surprised to hear that synthetic turf is one of our best-selling products. Many are appreciating the benefits that a turf lawn can provide. We know this can be a heated topic. There are some who feel loyalty to “real grass.” We dig that (pun intended). We like real grass too. Though there are 4 applications in which turf is a wonderful option:

• Heavily shaded areas
• Townhouses/rowhomes

• Poorly draining areas
• No-maintenance yards

Weigh both sides.

We’ve been in the landscaping industry since 2005, and synthetic turf products have changed considerably. Everyone’s got an opinion on it, so rather than defend either side, we decided to be transparent and list the pros & cons right here.

PROS

• No allergens
• No seasonal maintenance costs
• No maintenance time
• No equipment costs
• Kid & pet friendly
• No weeds
• No mole holes
• Looks natural
• Good drainage
• Always looks clean & tidy
• Can install a putting green

CONS

• Not real grass
• Old turf looks fake (particularly the ’90s and earlier versions)
• Higher installation costs
• No natural scent/smell
• Less bugs/insects
• Can make future building projects slower
• Cheap turfs can be rigid/prickly
• Sand below the turf is harder than regular soil

 

*NEW* Snow Video

We recently created a video to display & explain the basics of our snow removal services. We offer snow removal & salting throughout the entire Lower Mainland from November to Mid April. Let us know if you have a site we can help you manage!

http://www.snowcleared.com/

tbosmaps.com

West Coast Pond Stars

You’ve likely heard of Pond Stars, National Geographic’s new, highly anticipated show, which is getting a lot of press lately and it’s easy to see why. The results speak for themselves as the design team builds dream backyards for clients that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly. We at TBO’S Green Landscape Systems work with the suppliers at Aquascape, the hosts of Pond Stars, and have access to the same materials and equipment as they do. If you’ve seen it on TV, we can build it for you (with your own personal touches added of course) anywhere in the Greater Vancouver area. So when you’re sitting down to watch some Pond Stars and think “That would be nice”, just remember that we are in the business of bringing those wishes to life. We build ponds with designs ranging from feng shui to modern to natural!

Call us to begin your pond design today! +1-604-560-6000

Written by Rob Thibault

We also do snow removal!

Let us keep your business open every possible day this winter. There is no need for you to have downtime because of unfavourable weather conditions. We are here to take away your seasonal headache! If you are a property manager or responsible for any public property which is required to stay open, then we are the company that can serve you best!  Our company exists to make your life a little easier every winter because we know what a hassle and liability it truly can be!

**OUR EXPERTISE IS IN**

  ~ Industrial Shipping Yards ~ Strip Malls  ~  Large Stratas ~

Using industry leading cold weather forecasts which are accurate down to the square kilometer, we’ll ensure your car parks and walkways are safely cleared and salted before staff and customers arrive, giving you peace of mind. Whenever our services are required, you can rest assured our machine operators are well-trained and equipped with the right machinery for each site and package. Our team is also focused on conserving resources which translates into minimizing mileage and eliminating salt wastage!

Each snow & ice package includes:

1. Identifying and documenting the outdoor areas used by pedestrians most likely affected by ice such as building entrances, car parks, pedestrian walkways, shortcuts, sloped areas, drainage paths, and hazardous areas.
2. Taking photos of the property before snow falls to use as a reference during snow clearings to preserve the landscaping and curbs.
3. Frequently monitoring the temperature as preventative measures are crucial. Action is essential whenever freezing temperatures (0° Celsius) or snow is forecast.
4. Locations for piling snow and ice so we can maximize the usable space and limit the length of melting runoff trails (which later turn to ice).

Call us to request a free quote now!

http://www.snowcleared.com/

+1-604-560-6000

 

Written by Rob Thibault

How to Pick a Contractor

5 STEPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

If you have been dreaming of a landscape renovation for your backyard and then realized it’s way more work than you care to tackle, your next thought was probably “who could do this for me”? There are a crazy amount of landscape companies in Vancouver, so how do you find the right one for your project? From my experience I would say that the most important question is actually “who can I trust”? The mechanics of most landscape projects are relatively basic – almost any company can create a version of what you are looking for, but who do you really trust to bring your vision to life? Who is passionate about your project? Who do you want to see every single day for the next 2 months? What most people don’t realize when getting into these projects is that challenges will regularly arise, and together these will have to be addressed and discussed on a very regular basis. The crew might need access to your home for power, plumbing, or even the bathroom. Are you ready to trust them in your space to be respectful and professional?

I have been in the business for nearly 10 years and here’s how I suggest you find and interview your future contractor: get referrals from friends or co-workers. This will take some asking around, but it is well worth the effort up front. If someone has already dealt with them and has good feedback, the contractor is a pretty safe bet. Once you get 3-4 names – Google them. Look for online reviews, check their website, social media, just do a little snooping. Do their projects scale and style match yours? After 5 minutes you should be able to get a sense of who their company is and if they are right for your project or not. Keep in mind that almost no one will have a spotless record, and that is actually where you will be able to see the character of your perspective company. When given a bad review did they lash out and accuse the client of being unreasonable or did they offer suggestions and try to make things right? This is where you get to see who you want to work with on a daily basis!

Once you have narrowed down your 2-3 companies to contact, set up meetings with them (preferably within a couple days of each other). Have a clear list of items you want in your new landscape and a few pictures cut out of magazines or printed off Pinterest as examples. Given the scale and complexity of your project the contractors should be able to get you a quote/bid within 1-2 weeks on average. During your meeting make sure they have at least a 2 million dollar liability policy and are registered with WCB. Make sure you get some type of drawings with the quote including dimensions so you are on the same page when it eventually gets built. Without a drawing it always turns into “he said she said” game and both parties end up upset. When it’s all said and done – if there were measurements on the drawing it’s easy to see if the project was done correctly or not.

From there it’s up to you. Do not choose your contractor by price alone. A phrase I picked up from my Australian father-in-law is “when you pay peanuts, expect to get monkeys”. Choose the company that has good communication, a good reputation, and your trust. If you choose the cheapest company to save a few bucks, it generally costs you more in the end. Believe me.

A quick recap:

1- Find contractors through friends & co-workers

2- Google them

3- Meet them and get a quote

4- Make sure they have proper coverage’s and procedures

5- Go with your gut, not bottom dollar

Need more questions to ask your contractor or want to know what to look for?

Here are a few suggestions:

– How many years have they been in business?

– How many years do they guarantee their projects for?

– Are they registered for employee payroll and have a GST number?

– Do they use safe and well maintained equipment (trucks, trailers, machinery, etc.)?

– Are they Certified & qualified for the project at hand?

– Are they members of the BCLNA or any other landscape associations?

– Will they provide clear & accurate quotation in an easy to understand format?

– Are they offering the best solutions, not just cost focused?

– Are they prompt in answering your call and arriving for appointment?

– Are they on the web (not just craigslist) with a website for credibility?

 

 

Written by Rob Thibault

Brick Pavers & All Finishes of Concrete Maintenance

If you have a CONCRETE driveway (exposed aggregate, stamped, or brushed) then every 2-3 years it should be cleaned & sealed. The same goes for BRICK roadways & walkways – they should be cleaned, repaired (for any areas that have sunk), and then sealed. Even if weeds,grass or ants have grown in the cracks or joints they should be removed to make it SHINE like NEW!

When these paved surfaces are not maintained – the sun, chemicals, and general wear and tear can cut the surface life by up to 50%. Just like you paint the house and fix the sink, your paved surfaces need attention to extend their life and keep them functional!

Written by Rob Thibault

Outdoor Flooring

Outdoor Flooring

 

Are you looking to put in a hard surface outdoors to host BBQ’s for your family and friends but aren’t sure what to choose? Here are two primary options for you: a Wooden Deck or a Brick Patio. Both options basically serve the same purpose but are installed and priced very differently, require different maintenance, and have a dramatically different lifespan.

A Pressure Treated (“PT”) Cedar or Composite Deck is said to last an average of 10-30 years in Vancouver, BC. Composite decks usually cost the most but also have the longest life span and the primarily made up of recycled materials. If the project is designed well & given careful forethought, a deck can snap together relatively quickly and require very limited excavation and ground prep.

Wooden Decks offer several benefits, including the sensory experience of the natural wood, and the ability to customize with unique features: setting them at a higher elevation, adding custom railings, or even building in a pergola. Deciding to install an elevated deck without stairs down to the yard is another option; this instantly creates a semi-private area without giving intruders easy access to your home. One thing to keep in mind is that wooden decks can rot quickly in the Lower Mainland if not regularly maintained. We typically get a lot of rain, shade, and falling debris throughout the year, which can create a lot of work. Decaying leaves and moss stuck in the deck board gaps are just some of the factors that contribute to the occurrence of deck rotting. Wooden decks also have some typical wear and tear patterns such as checking (cracking) and/or warping. The rough cost of getting a deck installed can range from $12-$35 per square foot, depending on material and the complexity of the project.





A viable alternative decking material option is Brick Pavers. Pavers are available in a wide variety of shapes, colours, and sizes and are designed to last between 25-50 years! When installing pavers, there’s a bit of ground prep involved:

1) Excavation to a depth of 8″ for removal

2) Installation of 4″ clear crushed, 3/4″ gravel

3) A layer of landscape filter cloth

4) 1.5″ of Sechelt sand, and finally

5) Installation of the brick pavers

This ground prep allows for great compaction. This enables the rain to weep through the pavers and be held sub-terra until it can be fully absorbed back into the water table. Due to the lifespan and water-table restoring design, brick-paving is a very “green” solution.

Pavers can also be used to create a driveway; this allows you to re-use the same material all around your property, rather than introducing more materials, colours and textures. Pavers are a better solution than concrete and asphalt because they do not crack or break. Additionally, if you ever need to install a pipe or cable below the pavers, you won’t have to compromise appearance with patches (like asphalt and concrete). Rather, you can simply pull any or all of the pavers up, complete your installation work, and put them right back down!

As for maintenance, Pavers should be pressure washed every 2-3 years and the stones should be sealed every 3-5 years on average. Pricing for a paver patio typically ranges from $7-$15 per square foot, again depending on material and complexity of the project.

In summary, Brick pavers are cheaper and last longer, while wooden decks can be installed more quickly and can offer very unique options. Regardless of which option you choose, it is always a good idea to put in a deck or patio because of the instant “quality of life” increase. That is, if you live anywhere between Abbotsford, Tsawwassen and Whistler you most likely have a wet & mucky backyard because it’s all built on clay and we get so much rain! Putting in a patio or wooden deck over that mud will allow you to claim back the useable space you already own!

 

Written by Rob Thibault