2 — Ductwork can be re-engineered. HVAC equipment and water heaters can be moved.

3 — Steel beams can be moved or raised up into the floor joists for a taller ceiling. Steel columns can be moved or at times even eliminated!

4 — It’s easy to cut new doors and windows into concrete foundation walls. Remember it does not have to look like a basement!

5 — Your bathroom plumbing rough-in does not have to stay where it is. It can easily be moved. Remember you can always have more then one bathroom.

6 — Basement ceilings can be made taller by digging down the basement floor!

7 — Radiant heating feels great under tiled floors. It’s an option that should be considered.

8 — Saunas and steam showers are a great addition to an exercise room.

9 — Well-planned home theaters are a blast. Imagine surfing the web on a high definition
120” screen!

10 — There is nothing like a well-designed wet bar to use for entertainment. You should also consider a wine cellar — the latest craze. Or, perhaps a better is a fully temperature-controlled walk-in humidor where you can store your cigars.

At Terrascape, we think outside the box on every project we build! All of the items listed above are routinely featured in basements we remodel. In fact, we hate to call them basements — they are upscale lower levels.

2 — Plan for plenty of pool decking. At least one side of the pool deck should be 14’ wide. Pool deck areas less then 10’ wide are just very wide walkways.

3 — Consider a pavilion for shade, or perhaps a pool cabana complete with full bar, full bathroom with changing room area and a washer and dryer for towels.

4 — If budget permits, then build an air-conditioned pool house! Imagine entertaining in your pool
area and your guests not having to enter your home with wet bathing suits to use the bathroom or change!.

5 — Heated pools can be used for 8 months of the year — as opposed to unheated for 3 to 4 months. When it rains for a day in the summer, the pool can be freezing cold for 2 or more days.

6 — Installing a computer controller can make the pool practically take care of itself. You can monitor all functions and see equipment status from inside.

7 — Set pool equipment as far as possible from the pool area. You do not want to see nor hear the equipment.

8. Pools do not need to have chlorine. Salt-based systems are an upgrade , where you have neither the smell nor the effects of chlorine on your swim suits, hair or skin.

9 — Landscape extensively. Privacy from your neighbors is very important. Build your own mini resort!

10 — Plan early. Permits for swimming pool can take several months to be issued.

At Terrascape, we think outside the box on every project we build. All of the items listed above are routinely featured in the swimming pool projects we build. In fact, we hate to call them pools — they are private resorts.

2 – Ground preparation is of the utmost importance. It is the difference between the plants and trees thriving or just surviving.

3 — Spend the bulk of your money on the trees and specimen plants. Shrubs and groundcover grow quickly.

4 — Remember that shrubs will grow. Just because they may start small does not mean they should be planted closer together. Regardless of their initial size, they should be planted far enough apart so they can mature without cramping.

5 — Plants and shrubs should be planted in masses — just as they grow in nature.

6 — Consider shade in the summer and sun in the winter.

7 — The faster a tree grows, the lower the cost. At the same time — the faster it grows, the more maintenance and pruning it will require. Most likely, it will have root problems.

8 — Do not rely on flowers for the only color or interest in the landscape plan. Flowers are fleeting. Instead, rely on contrast of color and texture.

9 — Use seasonal flowers for spots of color. Too many seasonals, although attractive, can
create high maintenance and costs.

10 — Well-designed irrigation is a must. More plants die from excess than lack of water. Planting beds and lawn areas need to be on separate irrigation zones.

At Terrascape , we think outside the box on every project we build! All of the items listed above are considered at every home that we landscape.