Property Inspectors Making Their Rounds Again

Some cities that had to reduce staff to balance their budgets have recovered enough to re-staff some positions.  One area that was hard hit were the property inspectors.  The rules about unsightly properties were relaxed and the normal inspections and fines were let slide in some cases.

That has begun to change.  If you have some vacant rental properties that you have let deteriorate now might be the time to do a quick clean-up to avoid being fined.  In the past the property owners and managers were warned of the condition and given time to make corrections as a courtesy.

The cities still need funds and fines are always a good source of revenue.  In some cases a citation carries an immediate fine for having committed certain types of common violations, namely those that cause certain hazardous conditions in housing or unsightly conditions for or on neighboring properties.

In the past only those complaints of vegetation overgrowth that indicate a hazardous situation such as blocked traffic visibility or overgrowth that forces pedestrians off the sidewalk into the street would be subject to fines. Other violations of the Weeds and Vegetation Code will be recorded and information about code requirements sent to the property owner or occupant responsible for the site as a warning.  Corrections will be required within a time period contained on the warning.

A person who has not had previous violations of these types is usually given an opportunity to correct the violation and thus avoid the issuance of a citation. For those who receive a citation, preset penalties may be imposed immediately which increase with repeat offenses. The citation process provides the violator with an opportunity for a hearing to contest the violation or request mitigation of the penalty.

If you have anything on your property that needs removal please take the time to give us a call at 623-848-8277 so we can help.

We look forward to helping you make your property more beautiful and valuable by clearing away any Junk.  No job is too little or too big.  We remove your junk one item at a time until it is all gone.  We will remove your headaches from commercial property, rentals, homes, garages, estates or storage facilities.

No time; we can help.  Job too big for you; we can help.  Gives us a quick call at 623-848-8277 so we can solve your problems.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Why Choose Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance For Your Property?

We are a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.

While our normal hours of operations are from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM we offer 24/7 service and Storm Damage Clean-up as needed by our customers.

We keep our overhead low and pass the savings on to our customers. We provide high quality service and pride ourselves on our open communication practices.

Our hourly rate is $26 per hour. Our special project rate, including sprinkler repairs, is $30. We offer convenient payment terms of 2/10 net 30.

All of our vehicles are clearly marked and all of our employees are in uniform for easy identification. Many of the small unexpected things that other companies charge for, we include.

If there are minor sprinkler repairs that are needed, most of them are also included (no charge). We accomplish this by providing an allowance for sprinkler heads, drip emitters, shrub heads, and repairs to lateral lines and drip lines. The only sprinkler issues that we would have to charge for would be main line repairs, valves & timers. And we always get these pre approved by our customers.

Unlike other companies we don't mark-up inventory, whenever possible. Another one of our popular services is safety and visibility trimming at no extra charge. This means that if you have things we think could be a liability on your property related to the landscape, we will communicate with you and work together to resolve these issues before they cause an accident or damage vehicles or buildings. If there is vegetation blocking the view of signs or safe passage in and out of the parking lot, trees blocking safety lighting, we will keep those items at their smallest manageable size (no charge).

We don't charge anything for the installation of winter lawns. This means you do not pay anything for scalping and removal of summer lawn, sprinkler tune up, and top dressing where needed. And the seed is provided at the market price. We also offer a full range of tree trimming options for our customers including emergency storm damage clean up and tree removal. Lawn fertilizer is done quarterly for the price of fertilizer only.

We will strive to keep your landscape safe, clean and beautiful. At the same time keeping your costs as low as possible.

We meet or exceed the highest insurance standards, with $2,000,000 business liability, $1,000,000 commercial auto, and $1,000,000 workman's comp. And we can list you (the customer) as additional insured at no extra charge.

We can Help!  Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277  We serve the entire Phoenix Metro Area.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Do References Tell The Whole Story?

When speaking with a commercial property owner or manager about doing the maintenance for their property a common question is if we can give them references.  While you may believe that is a good idea you might want to think that process through.

It reminds us about the old say of having the “Fox watch the chicken coup.”  Probably not a good idea.

Asking any contractor to give you their references leads to this question.  Will he give you a list of customers and former customers to call?  Would he give you the contact information from an unhappy former customer?  That doesn’t seem very likely.

In this day and age of computer and internet communications you would think that a quick check of one of the many “reference sites” would give you a good idea of who to hire.  Two things you may want to consider, is the normal human condition, that people will post a complaint long before they will post a complement.  Some vendors actual hire or reward people to leave “good or great” ratings.  In some cases people have been hired to post negative reports without ever using the contractor.  While the reference sites try to avoid having this occur there is no truly effective way to stop it from happening.

There are websites that openly sell their services to “repair” a companies’ online reputation.

One of the best ways to find out an overall view of any contractor is to speak with other property managers and owners and ask if they can give you someone that they have used and are or were happy with.

Do your homework and ask around to find the real story about your next contractor.  Some old fashion leg work will give you a much better idea of who to hire.  Asking the contractor or using reference sites are not likely to give you the true and full picture.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want rock gardens, lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Exterior Facilities Management

At Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance our year-round, total-care approach is what makes us the preferred facility maintenance provider for many commercial properties here in the Phoenix Metro Area

It doesn’t matter to us whether you have lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

It doesn’t matter what you think of for your commercial property landscape and ground care needs Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance is ready to help.

We help you maintain maximum curb appeal that with have a positive affect on your bottom line.  The better your property looks the better your tenants will feel about being there.

Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance prides itself in creating detailed landscape strategies and implementation plans to fit each commercial client’s individual needs from general maintenance, to re-landscaping, irrigation repair, and lawn treatment with fertilizer and other treatments. Our goal is to make every property impeccable and of the highest quality on a consistent basis.

Greens Keeper has an in-depth knowledge of the landscape and lawn maintenance industry, and a thorough understanding of the central Arizona desert climate and terrain. We use our experience and expertise to provide services that result in consistently beautiful appearances, while offering practical and very cost effective application methods.

Your commercial properties’ lawns require the right balance of three major sources; fertilizer, sunlight and water. Greens Keeper specializes in maintenance of your  irrigation systems to provide the right amount of water for your landscape's needs.

Our customized maintenance services cater to commercial property owners and managers, covering office buildings, retail centers, hotels, multifamily dwellings and condo associations.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

What Makes A Desert Climate

Deserts are part of a wide classification of regions that, on an average annual basis, have a moisture deficit (i.e. they lose more moisture than they receive).  Measurement of rainfall alone cannot provide an accurate definition of what a desert is because being arid also depends on evaporation, which depends in part on temperature.

For example, Phoenix, Arizona receives less than 10 inches of precipitation per year, and is immediately recognized as being located in a desert due to its arid adapted plants. The North Slope of Alaska's Brooks Range also receives less than 10 inches of precipitation per year and is often classified as a cold desert. Other regions of the world have cold deserts, including areas of the Himalayas and other high altitude areas in other parts of the world.

Polar deserts cover much of the ice free areas of the arctic and Antarctic. An alternative definition describes deserts as parts of earth that don't have a sufficient vegetation cover to support human population.

Potential evapotranspiration supplements the measurement of rainfall in providing a scientific measurement-based definition of a desert. The water budget of an area can be calculated using the formula P − PE ± S, wherein P is precipitation, PE is potential evapotranspiration rates and S is amount of surface storage of water. Evapotranspiration is the combination of water loss through atmospheric evaporation and through the life processes of plants.

Potential evapotranspiration, then, is the amount of water that could evaporate in any given region. As an example, Tucson, Arizona receives about 12 inches of rain per year, however about 100 inches of water could evaporate over the course of a year.  In other words, about 8 times more water could evaporate from the region than actually falls. Rates of evapotranspiration in cold regions such as Alaska are much lower because of the lack of heat to aid in the evaporation process.

At Greens Keeper Landscape we want you to know how to take care of your property.  If you don’t want the headache of landscape maintenance we take care of your landscape for you.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net

Winter Watering In The Desert

“Water – Use It Wisely” is an often heard phrase here in the southwest.  With water usage exceeding our rainfall replacement amounts it is also a very good practice.

With our fall and winter watering schedules going into effect now is a good time to consider just what that means.  How can we save water and make sure our lawns and plants receive the proper watering.

The trick is to give your plants enough water without giving them too much water. Why? Watering too little can lead to wilt from which the plant may not recover, but watering too much is bad for plants because it starves the roots of oxygen.

Depending on the size and type of the plant (tree, shrub, or groundcover), you will need to water to different depths and widths. A large tree needs more water than a small groundcover area because it has a larger root zone, the area in which the plant’s feeder roots are concentrated. Your plants will be healthiest if you completely wet the root zone each time you water. 

How Deep Should You Water?

The 1-2-3 Rule is an easy way to remember how deep to water:

• Water small plants such as groundcovers, cacti, and annuals to a depth of 1 foot. Grass should be watered to a depth of 10 inches.

• Water medium plants such as shrubs to a depth of 2 feet.

• Water large plants such as trees to a depth of 3 feet.

A good way to test how deep you have watered is to use a soil probe, a sharpened piece of rebar or a very long screwdriver works well. About an hour after watering, push the probe into the soil. It will slide easily through wet soil but will be difficult or impossible to push through dry soil. Water your plants and lawn until you can easily slide the probe to the recommended depth.

It doesn’t matter to us whether you want lush lawns, desert landscaping or some type of landscaping in between, we can help.  To find out how give us a call at 623-848-8277.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net 

Why Choose Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance For Your Property?

We are a service oriented family owned business specializing in commercial landscape maintenance.

While our normal hours of operations are from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM we offer 24/7 service and Storm Damage Clean-up as needed by our customers.

We keep our overhead low and pass the savings on to our customers. We provide high quality service and pride ourselves on our open communication practices.

Our hourly rate is $26 per hour. Our special project rate, including sprinkler repairs, is $30. We offer convenient payment terms of 2/10 net 30.

All of our vehicles are clearly marked and all of our employees are in uniform for easy identification. Many of the small unexpected things that other companies charge for, we include.

If there are minor sprinkler repairs that are needed, most of them are also included (no charge). We accomplish this by providing an allowance for sprinkler heads, drip emitters, shrub heads, and repairs to lateral lines and drip lines. The only sprinkler issues that we would have to charge for would be main line repairs, valves & timers. And we always get these pre approved by our customers.

Unlike other companies we don't mark-up inventory, whenever possible. Another one of our popular services is safety and visibility trimming at no extra charge. This means that if you have things we think could be a liability on your property related to the landscape, we will communicate with you and work together to resolve these issues before they cause an accident or damage vehicles or buildings. If there is vegetation blocking the view of signs or safe passage in and out of the parking lot, trees blocking safety lighting, we will keep those items at their smallest manageable size (no charge).

We don't charge anything for the installation of winter lawns. This means you do not pay anything for scalping and removal of summer lawn, sprinkler tune up, and top dressing where needed. And the seed is provided at the market price. We also offer a full range of tree trimming options for our customers including emergency storm damage clean up and tree removal. Lawn fertilizer is done quarterly for the price of fertilizer only.

We will strive to keep your landscape safe, clean and beautiful. At the same time keeping your costs as low as possible.

We meet or exceed the highest insurance standards, with $2,000,000 business liability, $1,000,000 commercial auto, and $1,000,000 workman's comp. And we can list you (the customer) as additional insured at no extra charge.

We can Help!  Please contact us at; Sales: 623-848-8277  We serve the entire Phoenix Metro Area.

Presented by:
Greens Keeper Landscape Maintenance, LLC
623-848-8277
http://www.commerciallandscapecare.com
greenskeeperllc@cox.net