Rental Property Landscaping Dos and Don’ts

Do you want to improve your rental property’s landscaping?

As a landlord, you have many responsibilities. Finding ways to prioritize your tasks is the key to efficient management. However, landscaping is a relatively important task that tends to get less attention.

While collecting rent and conducting property repairs are crucial, Bighorn Rentals says, it’s important you find time to maintain and upkeep the exterior of your property too. Upkeeping the outside of your rental is important because it will preserve and increase the value of your investment.

In this article, we will list the main do’s and don’ts of landscaping your rentals. You’ll learn the top tips for boosting your rental property’s curb appeal and your tenants’ satisfaction.

Here are the Things you Want to DO:

DO Comply with Local Rules

You need to check your local laws on any restrictions that might apply to your rental property’s landscaping. For instance, some neighborhood guidelines restrict you from hardscaping more than a certain square footage.

DO Designate a Pet-Friendly Space

Do you allow pets in your rental property? If yes, you should designate a separate section of the lawn for them. You can use fencing or other markers to set strict boundaries for this space. Use pea gravel or mulch to cover the pet-friendly turf.

DO Ensure Proper Drainage

Large stones, landscaping timbers, and retaining walls can block drainage in your rental property. Make sure to remove any obstacles that increase the risk of drainage issues. Plus, regularly maintain the landscaping to fix any drainage problems before they become more costly.

DO Consider Spacing Needs

You want to be mindful about the distance between trees and your property’s foundation.

If you have large trees, keep a minimum distance of 30 feet. If you have small trees, keep them at least 10 feet away from the property’s foundation. As the trees grow, their roots grow, too. This means that the structural integrity of your rental property could be in danger if you don’t consider this distance.

DO Plant Local Varieties and Perennials

You’ll save money on expensive fertilizers and complicated irrigation if you opt for local plant varieties. For instance, consider purchasing regional flowers. These will cost you less money compared to exotic ones. Not to mention, your ecological impact will lessen as well.

Additionally, consider planting perennials in your rental property’s yard. This type of plant demands less water and care. This is a great choice, especially if your rental is in an area that experiences frequent droughts.

Here is What you DON’T Want to Do:

Now that we’ve considered what you should do, here are some of the things you want to avoid.

DON’T Install Excess Paving

Most tenants love to have greenery surrounding their home. For this reason, don’t install too much paving. This can hurt the aesthetics and decrease tenant satisfaction. Plus, excess paving increases the potential for flooding and mold growth.

DON’T Add too Many Water Features

Water features such as fountains and cascades are a beautiful and serene addition to any yard. However, these features demand a lot of upkeep and result in a more expensive water bill. You should only consider these features if you have an upscale rental property.

DON’T Neglect the Lawn

Mow the lawn on a regular basis. If you only have enough time to tackle one landscaping duty, this is the one you should choose because unkempt lawns hurt the curb appeal and reduce tenants’ quality of life.

DON’T Pick Niche Design Solutions

Personalized landscaping design schemes work for individual homeowners. That said, you should keep your rental properties more neutral. This will help to attract and retain quality tenants. If you cater to the average taste, you’ll be safer. Unusual choices could potentially increase your vacancies.

DON’T: Waste too Much Water

Consider installing a smart sprinkler. This digitally backed system will reduce water waste in your rental unit. You can pre-program the system to water the lawn at specific times and choose the maximum water output.

In a Nutshell: Rental Property Landscaping Dos and Don’ts

As a landlord, you shouldn’t ignore your rental property landscaping needs. While you may always have more urgent tasks at hand, it’s important that you find ways to conduct regular landscaping maintenance and improvements.

In general, here are some takeaway points to up your rental’s landscaping game:

  • Refrain from personalizing or niche designing solutions.
  • Follow spacing requirements between trees and the property’s foundation.
  • Regularly check whether the property has efficient drainage.
  • Install a smart sprinkler system for eco-friendly irrigation.
  • Plant local varieties and perennials in the yard.
  • Reconsider any advanced water features.
  • Research and comply with local regulations.
  • Consider opening a pet-friendly space.
  • Avoid the installation of excess pavement.

Finally, if you’re limited on time, always prioritize mowing the lawn. This will make the yard look fresh, attractive and cared for.

Pool Demolition and Removal, Greenwood Village, CO

The Best Pool Removal Contractor in Greenwood Village, CO

Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

Are you thinking about removing your inground swimming pool and are in Greenwood Village? Call MackLand, LLC – landscape architects and pool removal contractor – to speak with a professional company that specializes in pool removals. Our family run business has the experience and knowledge to handle any pool removal issues you may have.

  • Be aware of referral/marketing services that are not referring the best contractors for the job.  The lowest bid is most likely not the best bid and you can’t always trust online reviews
  • The value of performance and experience is often overlooked.
  • One of the biggest differences in our services is that we are concerned about the impact to your property during the pool removal process. We use ground protection and specialized low ground pressure equipment.

If you are ready to find out more about removing your swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about pool removals or any of the other services that we offer.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

MackLand’s Pool Removal Guide

POOL DEMOLITION & REMOVAL GUIDE

A swimming pool in disrepair can be a serious burden, until now! No question about it, it is cheaper to remove a swimming pool than to repair and maintain it. The costs associated with pools are only getting more expensive. MackLand, LLC, landscape architects and contractors, are the premier pool removal specialists. We have developed a streamlined, low impact, efficient and professional process to remove swimming pools and restore the area at an affordable price. Check out our pool removal guide below for more information. Or give us a call to discuss your project.

SERVICE AREA

A swimming pool in disrepair can be a serious burden. Until now! No question about it, it is cheaper to remove a swimming pool than to continually repair and maintain it. The costs associated with
owning and maintaining a pool are increasing. MackLand, LLC is the premier pool removal contractor. MackLand has developed a streamlined, low impact, efficient and professional process to remove your swimming pool for an affordable price.

• Northern IL – Chicagoland and the surrounding suburbs
• Southern WI – Kenosha to Milwaukee
• Central CO – Denver Metro and surrounding areas

REASONS TO REMOVE YOUR POOL

WE ARE THE PREMIER POOL REMOVAL CONTRACTOR

Tired of fixing that old pool? You might be surprised that removing your pool may add value to your property and save you a lot of money. MackLand, LLC is an expert in affordable pool demolition and landscape restoration projects. We are committed to finding pool removal solutions that minimize damage to the surrounding landscape and paved surfaces. We minimize our impact by protecting sensitive areas and use low impact equipment. Give us a call today for a quote.

Be Aware and Compare

LOW IMPACT EQUIPMENT

MACKLAND, LLC USES A VARIETY OF EQUIPMENT
With are focus on low impact demolition, we prefer to use lighter, yet powerful equipment to accomplish our removals. These are just some of the machines we use on the various types of pool removals we regularly preform.

Bobcat E35 Compact Excavator
We use this versatile excavator for most jobs to keep the impact low to the areas
surrounding demolition site. With our experienced Operators it’s capabilities are
endless.
Specs: 6 ft2 Weight: 8,000 lbs

Caterpillar 295D
Versatile, compact, and quiet. Used for moving fill dirt and multiple other applications.
Specs: 5.75 x 11.4 ft Weight: 8,987 lbs

John Deere – 6 Wheel Gator
This six-wheeler allows us to bring in all our tools and supplies in and out as needed with minimal impact to the srounding property.

TYPES OF POOL REMOVALS

Full In-Ground Pool Removal
Pool is completely demolished and removed offsite and the area is restored to lawn. For home owners that may have plans for a home addition or garage in the same area as the pool. No concrete will remain onsite.

Low Impact Pool Removal
All plastics and metals associated with the pool get hauled away and recycled. All concrete associated with the pool is completely demolished and processed into 8” fracture concrete gravel similar to PGE and used as
fill. Pool area is restored to lawn. This method is lower impact and more cost effective because less has to be hauled in and out to fill in the pool.

Basic Pool Removal
Bottom of pool is perforated with holes for water to drain and sides of the pool are removed 24” below final grade. Pool area is restored to lawn.

Above Ground Pool Removal
Pool will be completely disassembled, hauled away and area will be Restored to lawn.

TYPICAL SCOPE OF SERVICE FOR MOST POOL REMOVALS

• Obtain all permits, provide drawings as needed, and pay all permit fees
• Call in a Utility Locate
• Pump out pool water
• Protect trees as needed
• Remove and reinstall fence for access
• Saw cut pool deck away from any concrete to remain
• Disconnect electric associated with the pool at main circuit breaker in house
• Disconnect gas line – typically capped at gas meter
• Demolish/remove swimming pool
• Import and compact clay fill material
• Import and distribute 6” of top soil over the entire disturbed area
• Seed and install erosion control blanket
• Repair irrigation as needed

OUR PROCESS

The process starts with two on staff landscape architects that work through all the various facets of your pool removal project such as: obtaining the permits, tree removals, irrigation conflicts, and can design build your
future patio or landscape your entire back yard.

Our process goes above and beyond the typical village, city or county codes for pool removals. Most pool removal codes just require the bottom of the pool be perforated and the sides of the pool be removed 24” below grade, what we call a basic pool removal. MackLand, LLC has developed the low impact method to complete pool removals in a safe and timely minor while reducing impact to your property.

The one thing that is significant about our pool removal process is that we are processing all concrete associated with the pool into a structural fill material classified as PGE, 8” minus recycled fractured concrete
gravel with fines. This material is often used for sub base under public roads. Because we process the concrete associated with the pool into fill material, also called our low impact method, it reduces heavy truck loads of
concrete out and then heavy truck loads of fill back in reducing trauma to your property and public roads.

The right equipment and the right size equipment is extremely important. Mack prefers to use two rubber tracked backhoe excavators that have an operating weight of around 12,000 lbs to complete the pool demolition work. Using a backhoe is key to completing the project safely and quickly. A skid steer/Bobcat can easily get stuck in the deep end of the pool or get damaged while removing the pool side walls because the machine does not have the reach to keep a safe distance. Most under qualified contractors will use a skid steer and say they have done it before but they will be risking their safety, and may struggle and cause unnecessary damage to their machine. There are also a lot of other contractors, like excavation contractors, that will give you a great price but will come with a 26,000 lb machine with steel tracks and cause unnecessarily trauma to your property and not worry about it because it is not their job to restore your yard.

Having the right equipment and the having the right approach are key to the success of the project.

Average Cost

GOOD ACCESS (10’ WIDTH)LIMITED (6’ WIDTH)POOR ACCESS
Full Pool Removal$10 – 14K$12 – 16K$20K and up
Low Impact Pool Removal$7.5 – 10K$10 – 14K$15K and up
Basic Pool Removal$6.5 – 9K$7 – 12K$12K and up
Above Ground Pool Removal$1.5 – 3K$2 – 4K$4 – 6K

Comparing apples to apples is just about impossible. In most cases we provide a scope of services that you would have to go multiple contractors to get the same scope of work completed. This is something anyone
can do, but to do it correctly in a timely manner you need to have the right equipment and experience. Anyone can fill in hole, but the difference is the in the possibility of settling and impact/trauma to your property by the
equipment being used. An excavation company may be cheaper, but they are not going to restore damage to your yard and will likely want to use over kill equipment causing unnecessary trauma to your property. Other
landscape companies do not have the equipment or demolition knowledge to complete the project in safe timely manner without future issues.

MACKLAND LOW IMPACT POOL REMOVAL METHOD ADVANTAGES

  • Mack operates in a timely safe professional manner and is also a landscape design build contractor.
  • Mack is a one stop shop to remove a swimming pool and restore your back yard to an aesthetically pleasing usable space.
  • We mitigate the impact this process has on your property.
  • Mack will respect your trees and other plants.
  • By using the concrete as fill, we reduce heavy truck loads of concrete out and back in with fill dirt.
  • The processed fill concrete, PGE – 10” recycled fractured concrete gravel with fines, acts like a stable drainage layer improving water infiltration in the area.
  • Because the pool concrete is processes in to PGE, it can be easily removed as needed for future addition.

MACKLAND – SAFETY, PRIORITY NUMBER ONE

We pride ourselves with keeping a safe and secure job site at all times.
• Our concrete cutting is always done by wet cutting, which eliminates flying debris and dust.
• Safety gear worn by all MackLand employees while on site.
• Safety Fence, to keep people out of the job site and safe from harm.
• Road-side traffic control, eliminates any risk of accidents while moving machinery or fill dirt to and from the job site to the street.

COMMON MISTAKES IN POOL REMOVALS

• The biggest mistake is hiring a company that is not qualified or trying to attempt it yourself.
• It is very possible to create unforeseen problems in future by leaving any part of the pool intact.
• It extremely easy to have an inexperienced machine operator fall in the pool with their machine and get hurt if they do not respect the danger.
• Contractors or home owners without experience demolishing vertical walls will likely damage the equipment they are using or get hurt.
• A bobcat or a skid steer is not a good machine to demolish a pool with.
• Some contractors try and use over kill equipment causing unnecessary impact your property and roads.
• Hiring someone that will take forever to complete the project.
• Having the wrong strategy to complete the project.
• Choosing the wrong access route that will cause unnecessary impact to property.
• Accessing pool area without protecting or avoiding sensitive trees.
• Using sod instead of seed.

LOW IMPACT PARTIAL POOL REMOVAL

When MackLand LLC removes your pool, we bring the ground back to its native condition. We break up the pool bottom for proper drainage and compaction. This process ensures for zero settling issues and various
other problems that can occur if the removals aren’t preformed in this manner. We strongly suggest that you remove the entire pool for the best possible ground conditions. As you can see our competitors don’t stack up
with MackLand.

FILL MATERIAL

MackLand, LLC uses local fill dirt from residential projects only in compliance with all IL, WI, CO, and Federal EPA Codes. Mack also inspects and rejects loads of dirt that are not suitable. We make sure you are getting
local, uncontaminated fill dirt that has the right soil structure to reduce settling issues.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Settling is the most common question asked. To date MackLand, LLC has never had an issue with settling on a pool removal. Why? Because we fill in thin even layers and compact it evenly as we fill the pool in.

How long will it take?
Most in ground pool removals are completed in 3-7 days. Above ground pool removals are completed in one day.

Who gets the permits?
MackLand, LLC will obtain all permits and provide drawings as needed as part of our services.

How do we get started?
MackLand, LLC will start the permit process with a signed contract and a copy of your plat of survey.

What is PGE?
PGE is a regional classification of coarse gravel. PGE is 6-10” minus recycled fractured concrete gravel with fines suitable for use as sub base for roads or for general structural fill. MackLand, LLC will process all concrete
associated with the pool into PGE and use it as fill material.

What is better sod or seed?
Seed is by far the best way to go. Grass grown from seed will develop a more drought tolerant root system and blend into your existing lawn better. Also with sod it very possible to get grubs and other pests from the
sod farm.

When do you need the project deposit?
MackLand, LLC prefers to pick up the deposit check in person after the permits are approved. Mack will deliver the permits and pick up the deposit check at that time. The remaining balance is due on completion.

POOL REMOVAL SPECIFICATIONS

Full Pool Removal Specification (All concrete to be hauled off site)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Install plywood and/or wood chips to protect access path as needed
  3. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  4. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  5. Demolish and haul off concrete pool bottom
  6. Demolish pool sides and haul off all concrete
  7. Demolish pool deck and haul off all concrete
  8. Import fill, distribute and compact fill material
  9. Import pulverized topsoil as needed
  10. Grade entire disturbed area (all areas will be graded with positive drainage away from all structures)
  11. Seed all disturbed areas with Kentucky Bluegrass mix with DS-75 Erosion Control (straw blanket)
  12. Remove plywood and/or wood chips along access path

NOTE:
ALL DEMOLISHED POOL CONCRETE WILL BE HAULED AND DISPOSED OF OFFSITE. ALL PLASTICS, FIBERGLASS AND METAL WILL BE REMOVED OFF SITE AND RECYCLED.

Low Impact Concrete Pool Removal Specification (Concrete to remain on site)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Install plywood and/or wood chips to protect access path as needed
  3. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  4. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  5. Break up and pulverize pool bottom into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  6. Break up pool sides and pulverize pool sides into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  7. Break up pool deck and pulverize pool deck into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  8. Compact all fractured concrete in layers
  9. Import fill, distribute and compact fill material
  10. Import pulverized topsoil as needed
  11. Grade entire disturbed area (all areas will be graded with positive drainage away from all structures)
  12. Seed all disturbed areas with Kentucky Bluegrass mix with DS-75 Erosion Control (straw blanket)
  13. Remove plywood and/or wood chips along access path

NOTE:
ALL DEMOLISHED POOL CONCRETE WILL BE PROCESSED INTO PGE LIKE MATERIAL TO BE USED AS STRUCTURAL FILL. ALL PLASTICS, FIBERGLASS AND METAL WILL BE REMOVED OFF SITE AND RECYCLED.

Basic Pool Removal (Floor is perforated and sides are removed 24” below grade)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Install plywood and/or wood chips to protect access path as needed
  3. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  4. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  5. Break up pool bottom/floor for drainage
  6. Remove sides of pool a minimum of 24” below final grade
  7. Break up pool deck and pulverize pool deck into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  8. Compact all fractured concrete in layers
  9. Import fill, distribute and compact fill material
  10. Import pulverized topsoil as needed
  11. Grade entire disturbed area (all areas will be graded with positive drainage away from all structures)
  12. Seed all disturbed areas with Kentucky Bluegrass mix with DS-75 Erosion Control (straw blanket)
  13. Remove plywood and/or wood chips along access path

NOTE:
ALL PLASTICS, FIBERGLASS AND METAL WILL BE REMOVED OFF SITE AND RECYCLED.

Basic In-Door Pool Removal (Floor is perforated)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Seal off all openings and provide dust control
  3. Create access – typically remove sliding glass doors
  4. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  5. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  6. Remove pool liner and dispose offsite
  7. Break up pool bottom to provide drainage
  8. Remove pool walls a minimum of 18” below grade or entirely if fiberglass or steel walls and dispose offsite
  9. Import structural fill materials and compact in layers
  10. Prep for new concrete floor

Basic Above Ground Pool Removal

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  3. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  4. Remove pool liner and dispose offsite
  5. Disassemble pool and recycle all materials
  6. Import topsoil
  7. Seed and blanked disturbed area

NOTE:
ALL PLASTICS, FIBERGLASS AND METAL WILL BE REMOVED OFF SITE AND RECYCLED.

Basic Liner/Fiberglass Pool Removal (Floor is perforated)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Install plywood and/or wood chips to protect access path as needed
  3. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  4. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  5. Remove pool liner and dispose offsite
  6. Break up and pulverize pool bottom into 10” recycled fractured concrete fill
  7. Break up pool deck and pulverize pool deck into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  8. Compact all fractured concrete in layers
  9. Import fill, distribute and compact fill material
  10. Import pulverized topsoil as needed
  11. Grade entire disturbed area (all areas will be graded with positive drainage away from all structures)
  12. Seed all disturbed areas with Kentucky Bluegrass mix with DS-75 Erosion Control (straw blanket)

Low Impact Liner/Fiberglass Pool Removal Specification (Concrete to remain on site)

  1. Call in a Utility Locate “Julie” 1 week prior to start
  2. Install plywood and/or wood chips to protect access path as needed
  3. Pump out existing pool water and discharge to curb or on property
  4. Safely disconnect and remove all pool utilities, gas and electric
  5. Break up and pulverize pool bottom into 10” recycled fractured concrete fill
  6. Remove and dispose of pool liner
  7. Remove fiberglass pool sides and dispose offsite
  8. Break up pool deck and pulverize pool deck into 10” minus recycled fractured concrete fill
  9. Compact all fractured concrete in layers
  10. Import fill, distribute and compact fill material
  11. Import pulverized topsoil as needed
  12. Grade entire disturbed area (all areas will be graded with positive drainage away from all structures)
  13. Seed all disturbed areas with Kentucky Bluegrass mix with DS-75 Erosion Control (straw blanket)
  14. Remove plywood and/or wood chips along access path

NOTE:
ALL DEMOLISHED POOL CONCRETE WILL BE PROCESSED INTO PGE LIKE MATERIAL TO BE USED AS STRUCTURAL FILL. ALL PLASTICS, FIBERGLASS AND METAL WILL BE REMOVED OFF SITE AND RECYCLED.

Pool Demolition and Removal in Wheat Ridge, CO

The Best Pool Removal Contractor in Wheat Ridge

Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

Are you thinking about removing your inground swimming pool and are in the Wheat Ridge area? Call MackLand, LLC – landscape architects and pool removal contractor – to speak with a professional company that specializes in pool removals. Our family run business has the experience and knowledge to handle any pool removal issues you may have.

  • Be aware of referral/marketing services that are not referring the best contractors for the job.  The lowest bid is most likely not the best bid and you can’t always trust online reviews
  • The value of performance and experience is often overlooked.
  • One of the biggest differences in our services is that we are concerned about the impact to your property during the pool removal process. We use ground protection and specialized low ground pressure equipment.

If you are ready to find out more about removing your swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about pool removals or any of the other services that we offer.

No one removes more pools than MackLand.

Pool Demolition and Removal, Arlington Heights, IL

The Best Pool Removal Contractor in Arlington Heights

Swimming Pool Demolition and Removal Services

Are you thinking about removing your inground swimming pool and are in the Arlington Heights area? Call MackLand, LLC – landscape architects and pool removal contractor – to speak with a professional company that specializes in pool removals. Our family run business has the experience and knowledge to handle any pool removal issues you may have. We were the first to offer pool removal services in Chicagoland.

  • Be aware of referral/marketing services that are not referring the best contractors for the job.  The lowest bid is most likely not the best bid and you can’t always trust online reviews
  • The value of performance and experience is often overlooked.
  • One of the biggest differences in our services is that we are concerned about the impact to your property during the pool removal process. We use ground protection and specialized low ground pressure equipment.

If you are ready to find out more about removing your swimming pool, please do not hesitate to give us a call or fill our our form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have about pool removals or any of the other services that we offer.

America’s #1 Source for Pool Removals