One of the most challenging items for a custom home builder, or customer is deciding on an appropriate landscape budget.  Landscaping is one of those things that is always left to do at the last minute, and often times, there is not enough money set aside to meet the customer's goals.  Good landscaping doesn't always have to be expensive, but if you don't plan ahead, that dream home with the paver patio, large green lawn, and lush planting may not be a reality.  A great way to save money, and still get a classic look is with a gravel driveway.  Gravel driveways, or gravel / shell mix driveways are common on Cape Cod, and are an inexpensive alternative to paving, cobblestones, or manufactured pavers. 

Here is a great article from Houzz.com discussing the advantages of gravel:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/1577301/list/Gravel-Driveways--Crunching-the-Pros-and-Cons

    Outdoor living spaces are becoming more and more poplular, especially with custom homes on Cape Cod.  The marketplace for items like outdoor kitchens, grills, patios, and fireplaces has exploded over the last several years.  Many of the manufacturers have responded with modular, easy to install products that retain the permanent look of masonry or exotic hardwoods that the consumer is looking for.  With the growth of the market, costs have come down and availability of these products is expanding.   The landscaping and outdoor living areas are unfortunately one of the last things that our customers plan for, and sometimes fail to budget properly to achieve their needs.  The demand for these products and well designed landscape or hardscape areas is growing.  Below is an article from Housingzone.com showing the increased popularity of these items.  If you are planning your new home on Cape Cod, you should definitely consider some outdoor living spaces!

survey-outdoor-living-plays-larger-role-selling-new-homes

Here is a photo of one of our recently completed homes with some of these features

   The mild winter has really been great this year on Cape Cod, and everyone has spring fever! Not bad for mid February.  Generally in our area we wait until at least late March to start landscaping, but this year might buck that trend. We have looked around for some new and exciting landscape features to work into our new home and renovation projects, and found some from Better Homes and Gardens.   They have put together a slideshow of the top landscape trends for 2012 and some of them are really great.... take a look!

Landscape trends for 2012

If you have questions about your next new home, remodeling or renovation project, click below to ask one of our experts!