Curt Havens

Although I have lived in Arizona for over 20 years, I am still amazed every spring at the absolute perfect weather we have at this time of the year. There is hardly an evening that goes by when my family and I are not outside enjoying our yard. It is truly the most used space of our home. Families all over the valley are recognizing just how wonderful outdoor living can be and are creating valuable and useable new spaces to enhance their lifestyle. If you are thinking about any landscape or hardscape additions to your home, you could not find a better time to do it. If you are among the thousands of valley residence who are not operating in the grip of fear of our economy and are still spending…WOW…the bargains that can be found now are unlike anything I have ever seen in 30 years of contracting.

One of the most popular additions to any landscape remodel these days is the outdoor BBQ, or should I say, “Outdoor Kitchen”. The things people are creating around the BBQ have given outdoor grilling a whole new meaning. If you like to entertain, the outdoor kitchen and bar is one of the valley favorites. The uses and possibilities seem endless. Let’s see… we have a wide variety of grills, sideburners, refrigerators, kegerators, sinks, storage drawers, lights, electrical, plumbing, bistro tables, bar tops, even pizza ovens, just to name a few. Then we can use a variety of different materials to create hundreds of different looks. Flagstone, canterra, traveritines, tile, concrete, stucco, paint, faux stone are just a handful of materials being used to create these wonderful additions to your home.

Custom BBQ’s like the ones shown here have similar framework, but are simply finished with a variety of different materials to accomodate just about every need and budget. Prefabricated units found all over the valley are steel frame studded, use hardy backer board for sheathing and usually have some sort of a ceramic tile finish. They are made at a local factory and simply delivered and set where you want. Custom units on the other hand can be made any shape or length you wish and have a more solid frame made from CMU which stands for “Construction, Masonry Unit”, a fancy name for concrete block. A foundation is dug, sleeving for electrical and plumbing is prepared and installed, then the blockwork begins. It is first important to know the dimensions of every appliance you are planning to install, so you know how big each opening needs to be. It is always advisable to have a detailed sketch of the BBQ showing where everything is positioned which will give you an idea of how much counter or bar space you will have upon completion. The standard counter top height is 36” above finished deck. Bar tops and bistro tables finish off at a height or 42” which gives you ample room for bar stools with the legroom you need under the counter.

Now the big question…how much do these cost? Custom BBQ units, including a basic 3 burner stainless grill with a standard five gallon propane tank, start at about $4,000. Of course buying a grill is like buying a car. There are dozens of grill manufacturers all over the country. I have seen some grills alone costing over $6,000 which doesn’t include the cost of the cabinet; however, most people can find a good 4 burner stainless grill which handles all their needs for about $1,500. That is roughly the average cost of a decent grill. If you are looking for a BBQ that is more of an entertainment space as opposed to a simple cooking station, you can expect to pay anywhere between $6,000 and $9,000 which will include several of the bells and whistles I mentioned earlier. All this writing has made me a little hungry, so I think I will fire up my own grill and throw a few shrimp on the BARBI….sorry for the lame joke…couldn’t resist.

Feel free to e-mail me with questions, or to set up a free consultation and design for your BBQ or other landscape project. I can be reached at RCHAVENS@COX.NET Lots more pictures of BBQ’s on my website WWW.OUTSIDELIVINGCONCEPTS.COM

Good Luck!

Curt Havens

So you’ve managed to make it through another long day at the office or a tough day with the kids, and all you can think about is a quiet moment to yourself. One of the most popular ways to relax and recharge is spending 30 minutes in the hot tub to massage those aching muscles and put your mind at ease for a good night sleep. WHAT? You don’t have a spa? Then you don’t know what you are missing!

Well if you do or don’t have a spa, I want to share with you one of the more popular backyard trends…SPA SURROUNDS! There are so many options here and I’d like to share my expertise with you. There is a lot to think about when you install a spa, and there are numerous manufacturers of spas all over the valley. I am a huge fan of a quality prefabricated spa as opposed to a spa attached to the pool for many reasons.

The spa built with the pool usually has one bench around the perimeter, everyone sits in the full, upright position, water is warm and bubbly, but you only have one jet concentrated at the small of your back. Not the most comfortable seating when you are trying to relax. If you were to have your pool company attach a spa to your existing pool, or dig you a new one from scratch, you’ll be spending a minimum of $18,000, but closer to $24,000 when it’s all done. Here is how you can get a lot more for LESS!!!

A quality prefabricated spa with a good filtration system gives you many more choices…. comfortable seats and head rests, 30 to 60 jets wherever you need them, lighting, stereo or TV, attached seating areas…the list goes on. The best part…you can buy a quality spa for around $6,000 to $9,000 that is much more comfortable and therapeutic. Because most spas operate on 50 Amp/220 Volt power, electrical run and hook up adds between $750 and $1,500 depending on how far the spa is positioned from the main electrical panel. The farther away, the more it will cost. Please use a licensed electrician when running those lines who is familiar with the different makes and models. The requirements vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so do you due diligence here.

Now to give that new portable spa, the “built in” look, we have many SURROUND options. Once you decide where the spa will be located, the next thing is to think about orientation…in other words…the angle the spa is placed in the yard. Remember, all spas have equipment that may need to be accessed, so whatever we do for a surround that access is first and foremost. When doing your orientation, think about the views each of the occupants will have when the spa is ready for use. You can choose to keep the spa above ground and use a variety of materials to complete the surround as seen in some of these pictures. You may also choose to sink the spa for that “lower profile look”, but there are pros and cons here.

I do not recommend taking a portable spa that was designed to be fully above ground and installing it completely in the ground for many reasons. The equipment for these spas is underneath, so sinking them in the ground 36 inches will usually make for tough equipment access, but most importantly, getting in and out of the spa will be very difficult because you don’t have a step entry like a pool.
Think about it…it would be very awkward getting in and out at ground level. If you do choose to sink the spa, do it about half way. This would make the finished surround about 18 inches above ground, which is the standard chair height. Simply sit on the edge like you would any regular chair, swing your feet around and then using both arms ease your way into the spa, safely and comfortably. You do the exact opposite on the way out. You can use the same type of materials to complete the surround as you would the fully above ground version. You can add seating and a bar on one side, small columns for pots, steps & landings, inset lights, face with stone, stucco & paint… just about anything. When you choose to sink a spa, there are a few things to keep in mind:

First, the cost to sink a spa adds at least $1,500 to the total surround cost as opposed to a homeowner who chooses to keep it fully above ground and just enclose it. Second, you have to maintain that access we talked about earlier should you have a mechanical malfunction. Also, make sure there is proper drainage underneath so your equipment never is immersed in water. This will instantly void any warranty! Third, when you choose your materials and physically start construction, you may want to carefully engineer the walls and caps in a way that the spa can be totally removed from its enclosure in the future. The cost for a surround that is fully above ground starts at about $3,500 to $5,000 depending on the materials chosen and the accessories you may want to add. Again, if you choose to partially sink it, add at least $1,500 to that. You can buy a quality spa and do a very artistic surround for as little as $10,000… far less expensive than the ones attached to the pool and you have so many more features and options.

I have done more than a hundred surrounds over the years and have worked with about every make and model. Although spas and surrounds are not complicated, I have learned dozens of those “little things” that keep the construction process smooth, and I am trained to avoid those costly mistakes that I have seen others make time after time. Feel free to e-mail me with questions, or to set up a free consultation and design for your spa or other landscape project. I can be reached at RCHAVENS@COX.NET I can also recommend a few quality spas on the market today and direct you to a knowledgeable sales person to fill your needs. Lots more pictures of surrounds on my website www.outsidelivingconcepts.com

Good Luck!

Curt Havens

Now that Arizona has nearly perfect weather and we are the envy of the country, it’s time to enjoy the outdoors. With the holidays behind us, and a newly elected president, there is a renewed excitement in the air and the hope 2009 will be more prosperous for all. If you are considering a landscape remodel, let me remind you this is the perfect time to invest in the outside of your home.

First…there are great deals everywhere. Many contractors are scrambling for business and this usually translates to big discounts and great value. Another reason to start your project sooner than later… shortly after the first of the year most suppliers evaluate their product costs and set new pricing for the upcoming year. That means price increases get passed on to the homeowner. So before these increases take effect, get with your contractor now, create a master plan, and lock in your pricing as soon as possible. Most contractors that have signed contracts will honor their pricing for several months even though they may see an increase from the supplier.

What’s so popular in outdoor living these days? Hardscape of course! It is a proven fact that $25,000 of great hardscape is a better return on your investment than a $25,000 pool. To build these recreational items, there are a wide variety of materials being used today. Flagstone, travertine, canterra, pavers, durango stone, concrete products, saltillo tile, and a variety of faux stone are just some of the more popular materials.

The great thing about building from scratch, on site is that no two BBQ’s, fireplaces, and especially water features are exactly the same. For example…let’s use the traditional beehive fireplace as an example. You could interview ten landscape companies to build your fireplace and ask them to show you pictures, and not one would look exactly like the other…why? The artisan who physically constructs the fireplaces has his own style which makes him unique to others. Of course there are quality differences, so make sure the company you hire has a proven track record of quality. Go see their work and do your due diligence before signing a contract with just anyone. Remember…you get what you pay for in hardscape, so make sure you have covered your bases.

With regards to landscape (softscape), here is the other side of the coin. We have all heard how important curb appeal is to your home value, especially if you are planning on selling. What separates the men from the boys is simple…how does your home standout against others in the neighborhood? Would someone driving by take a second look because something you did caught their eye, or would they not even bother turning their head? A good landscape designer is an expert at plants, trees, and lighting. They not only know where that plant or tree should be placed, but why it should be placed there. They know how much sun or shade that plant needs, its watering requirements, growth and litter rate as well as frost tolerance to name a few. This is why you need to work with a seasoned professional and avoid doing things yourself, because there is allot more than just digging a hole and dropping it in the ground. How big is that tree or plant eventually going to get, does it have enough space to grow, will the root system become invasive to other things buried in the yard? All these elements and more have to be considered in a quality landscape plan.

I can almost always tell when visiting a potential new client whether or not their current landscape was done by a do it yourselfer or professional; however, there is also one other category of installer that needs to be brought to your attention. This would be the novice designer you called without knowing his or her true credentials. There are many landscape companies who hire people that were driving a UPS truck last week and have a business card with landscape designer on it the next, so ask allot of questions before moving forward. This is why I have used the word “seasoned” in this and previous articles because the vast majority of so called “landscape designers” selling out there have no formal training at all. A couple of weeks in the field at best and then they are sent out on new leads and told to SELL SELL SELL! The unsuspecting homeowner doesn’t have a clue most of the time.

So before you sign on the dotted line with anyone, make sure the professional you hire is exactly that…a professional who knows his business, builds hardscapes and landscape with quality and value, and most of all listens to your needs while paying attention to your budget. Good Luck…and remember…it’s a buyers’ market, so don’t hesitate to start your project now before price increases hit you after the first of the year.

Great News! According to a Michigan State University study reported in the September 2008 issue of Money Magazine, good landscaping can increase the value of your home as much as 11 percent upon completion. As a professional landscape designer and contractor, I am a strong proponent that investing money on the outside, if done correctly, can add substantial equity similar to remodeling the kitchen or bath. Returns on that type of remodel I would imagine would be slightly higher, but I was encouraged by the study never the less.

With these tougher economic times, many people have decided to ride out this “funk” we are in and remodel what they have as opposed to sell and move. Many are turning the outside of their home into a beautiful oasis or retreat by investing wisely on the outside, when the trend for years was always the inside. Good Choice….here’s why and how to do it!

Unless you are living in a very upscale community where you are trying to keep up with the Jones’s, most homes here in Ahwatukee people would drive by without even turning their head. There are of course exceptions and usually in a soft real estate market, those homes for sale have a tendency to sell faster because of their great curb appeal. Usually those people who care so much about their own curb appeal have done an equally impressive job with their backyard. They have not only added nice equity by doing so, but have substantially increased their living or useable space.

Unless you have experience in home remodeling, or have a contracting background, I don’t advocate homeowners playing general contractor on any project inside or out. Look for and hire a true professional to get the job done. The money you think you may save by doing it yourself will usually put you upside down by the end of the project. How you ask? Because it’s something you don’t do everyday, most people don’t have reliable contracting connections. Most importantly, homeowners lack the design experience to achieve the desired outcome.

Thinking about a landscape remodel? First place to start is hiring a quality landscape contractor with design experience that can create a master plan. Even if you are doing things in phases, one should always have a master plan!!! With that plan, your contractor should give you an itemized list of the costs, which will help identify and “reel in” the budget. If you are like most, here’s what happens…you find out quickly (if you don’t already know) that you have champagne taste and a beer budget…welcome to the club. Nine out of ten people I see every month have a wish list greater than their budget. The majority of those people are not familiar with how much things cost and often are “sticker shocked” when they see how much their wish list really costs, which leads me to my next point…

DISCUSS YOUR BUDGET WITH YOUR CONTRACTOR! You are going to spend the money anyway, so to get the biggest bang for your buck, discuss how much you would like to invest in your remodel. Ask the designer/contractor what is the best way to spend those dollars and the one that gives you the most solid advice while listening to your needs…well…he’s your man! I tell clients everyday, it doesn’t matter whether you have a $5,000 or $50,000 budget, I just want to make sure the money they have to invest in their remodel is spent as wisely as possible. Let’s say you are getting three bids and you have a $20,000 budget. If all three bids are within 15 percent of one another, then the ONLY thing that should make the decision for you at that point is who you trust the most to do a good job for you! Throw the numbers out of the decision equation. Who was on time for every appointment? Who gave you the best ideas? Who had the best follow up? Who had good references or a solid contracting record with the Registrar of Contractors (ROC)? These are the questions you need to ask yourself when bids are fairly close. In landscape construction, like most other forms of construction, you get what you pay for. Once in a great while, the low bidder can do a good job for you. BUT BUYER BEWARE, often times low bidders cut corners, which has a direct effect on the overall quality and finished product.

After we have nailed down the budget, the next step is to do a design based on that budget. The full master plan can and should still be drawn even though you may not be able to afford your entire wish list. Simply execute that portion of the plan with the money you have now, and you can always do other things later in phase two.

A good designer thinks fast on his feet and can roll with customer changes with little difficulty. They have an eye for detail and can manage the project like an orchestra leader. Most projects require several crews that have their own area of expertise which need to be scheduled one after the other like a well choreographed dance. Easier said then done…a good project manager keeps the stress level to a minimum during construction, which is very valuable in the grand scheme of things.

Lastly, the overall housing market is down, things are slow, and many contractors are exploring ways to generate new business. With homeowners not spending money as freely as they were in 2002 – 2006, landscape companies are offering nice discounts and are going the extra mile to earn your business. Now is a great time to upgrade what you have, add some nice equity, and enjoy to the fullest this new living space you and your designer have just created.

Steve, Captain of the Starship Enterprise

Most of you that know me know that I’m a “Trekkie” from way back in the day. I almost could say that I learned everything I know in life from Star Trek (not quite!). One thing that I always liked about Star Trek is the theme that we as a people can always improve themselves. When I started my home improvement show back in May of 2005 on a little internet station in Glendale known as Achieve Radio I thought that my dream of having my home improvement radio show had been fulfilled. As my show grew in popularity and with the encouragement of such great friends as Tracy Kornet & Kaley O’Kelley from Sonoran Living Live on ABC15, I had a feeling that I was destined for more than just internet radio. On July 14, 2007 Image Home Improvement Live! made it’s debut on Clear Channel’s XTRA Sports 910AM. An alternative to other home improvement shows currently on in the valley I set out to make my show the best it could be, covering all areas of home improvement along with special celebrity guests from HGTV & DIY Network such as Chris Grundy, Russ Hemmis & Marcus Hunt. 2009 is going to be a great year on the radio show along with the debut of Fine Wine & Design, the next great design TV show produced right here in the valley which I have the privilege of being a part of. Whether I am on radio or TV my mission is to make sure the listeners and viewers understand that home improvement is not rocket science. All it takes is some common sense on what’ level of comfort you the home or business owner have when it comes to tackling a repair or remodeling project. If I have stopped and made you think on how to proceed then I have done my job! Remember no project is worth injuring yourself for that’s why I’m here to guide you along the way and if you feel uncomfortable doing the project then it’s time to call the professional—Image Home Improvement! Remember with the right contractor anything is possible……

“Live Long and Prosper”

— The Captain —