Blog

Hidden Fees: The New Money Maker

Hidden fees are starting to pop up everywhere.  Hotels add resort fees, repair facilities add shop supply fees, trash removal companies add environmental fees, car dealerships add DOC fees, many companies charge administrative fees and now landscapers are beginning to add hidden fees to increase revenue.  Some of these extra costs that landscapers use include: disposal fees, fuel surcharges, equipment set up and stabilization fees, transportation fees, overtime fees, shipping fees, and warranty surcharges.  

Make sure you get a detailed contract that explains what you are getting and the cost.  It's important to look at the individual charges and bottom line prices to see if there are any additional hidden fees in your contract. 

Squeals Landscaping never adds additional fees to our itemized contracts.  We consider all of these fees operating costs and they are rolled into our prices.  The price we agree on is the final price you pay.

HomeOwners Associations

Today most new homes in subdivision type neighborhoods built by 1-3 different builders belong to a homeowners association.  Similar to a condominium HOA they can have some control of your outdoor living space.  Often homeowners...

Astronomical Timers

Astronomical timers are a great way to control your outdoor lights (or anything that operates based on constantly changing daylight) because you can enjoy the "set it and forget it" method.  With everyone's busy lifestyle easier...

LED-Low Voltage Lighting

To some people the best invention since the light bulb is the LED light bulb.  In the low voltage landscape lighting world LED's have changed the industry.  LED fixtures provide 2 major lighting improvements in the areas installers and...

Four Steps To Installing An Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor living spaces often include kitchen areas to make entertaining more convenient and enjoyable.   1.  After the design has been completed the appliances will need to be purchased and on site before any construction can...

Landscape Warranties: Carefully Read Your Contract!

Not all warranties are created equal.  Warranty work greatly varies in length of time as well as what is covered.  It is important to review all warranty information before you sign a contract.  Warranties are different for plant...

Water: How much do I need?

Your new plants, shrubs, and trees have been installed.  Now what?  How do you keep them looking green and vibrant?  Customers often want to know how often, and how much water should be given to new plants.  Here are some basic...

Frost Laws

Customers often want to know when we will begin work for the season.  Weather is the main factor in this answer.  Besides dry ground, and warmer temperatures, the frost laws play a role in when we begin job installation. Every year the...

Polymeric Sand

Recently, polymeric sand has been a hot topic of discussion.  Polymeric sand is a new item that has been incorporated in the brick paving industry.  It is a high tech mixture of sand and cement additives.  It is an ideal option for...

Why pay for a design?

A professional landscape design is an important tool for your landscape project.  If a design is scaled properly, and works on paper, it will work in the field.  When elevations and cross sections are added to a landscape design the...

Landscape Construction Permits

Who needs them and why?   Permits are an important topic of discussion.  Recently some cities, townships and villages have begun requiring permits for basic landscape projects.  Building, Zoning, Soil Erosion, & Grading...

Sales Tax

Customers often ask about sales tax on our jobs.  Some landscape companies charge sales tax on top of the contract price. We do not, and here is why. Our previous Attorney General, Mike Cox, provided a legal opinion that sales tax should not...

Benefits of Fall Planting

Benefits of Fall Plantings Football season, falling leaves, pumpkins, and crisp cool air are all telltale signs that fall has arrived.  Many people don't realize the many benefits of planting during the fall months.  It is an ideal...

Green Shortage

A Shortage of "Green": Trees and Sod Why has the price of trees and sod increased? As the economy continues to improve, so has the demand for new landscaping or the repairing of or adding to existing landscapes.  This is great...
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Five Star Rating!
Squeals does exemplary work. We hired them to do pavers for our driveway and we continue to admire the exquisite work. The owner, David Biel, has honor and integrity. He stands behind his work, and his pride in his company is always apparent. Since our driveway was completed, I have hired Squeals for two additional jobs, and referred them to several of our friends. Nobody is disappointed. They demonstrate excellent workmanship and they stand behind their work - customer service is unparalleled.* Gigi W. | Read More Testimonials
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