Roadmap to Recovery Meeting 21:November 6, 2008

Landscaping Issues

Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church

Roadmap to Recovery Meeting 21:November 6, 2008

Landscaping Issues

Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church

Karen Reimus, Esq.

www.unitedpolicyholders.org

Fine print:

The information provided in this program is intended for general educational purposes only. It should not be construed as legal advice

The speakers at today’s program are volunteering their time as educators

Neither United Policyholders nor the Rancho Bernardo

Community Presbyterian Church endorse or warrant the quality or services of any volunteer speakers

Landscaping

Rebuilding the landscape well after you’ve rebuilt your home is important

UPC Mentors and Friends will share their personal experiences in break-out sessions

Just like rebuilding your home, careful planning and due diligence is required

Have 97% of 2007 Wildfire Insurance Claims been resolved, as asserted by the insurance industry? 

Please take 5 minutes to complete a 2007 Wildfire Insurance Claim Status Survey to determine what the true facts are.

To fill out the survey, either:

Mark your calendar

December 4, 2008: Roadmap to Recovery Insurance Interest Group Breakout Session

7:00 pm RBCPC Sanctuary

JIM KUHLKENCedar Fire Survivor (Whispering Ridge HOA) Catalyst for “Group Rebuild” Concept Former President, WRHOA

-Experience on the Board of WRHOA

-Experience rebuilding after Cedar Fire

-Willing to think outside the box to find solutions, e.g., “Group Rebuild” concept

JIM KUHLKEN

LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

RLA CA 2281, AZ 40791, CLARB 3335

LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL

PRINCIPAL – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DIVISION – RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY

BUILDING CONTRACTOR

BUILDING DESIGNER

ARCHITECT

LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

http://clcasandiego.org/Download/Direc.pdf

http://www.asla-sandiego.org/Download/LandRes.pdf

TIPS WHEN HIRING EITHER A LANDSCAPE CONTRACTOR OR

A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

1. Look at their previous completed projects completed and talk to their references;

2. Make sure they are licensed and insured;

3. Establish a budget BEFORE starting the design;

4.  Do not pay 100% until the project is completed. 

Landscaping Landscaping November 6, 2008November 6, 2008

Speaker: Steve Lansker, Lansker’s Landscape Design

Licensed landscape contractor (License # C-27 335109)

Doing business in San Diego since 1977

Define your landscape Define your landscape needsneeds

Play areaPlay area Dog friendlyDog friendly Entertainment area (BBQ, fire pit, Entertainment area (BBQ, fire pit,

putting green) putting green) Water featuresWater features Utility areaUtility area GrassGrass LightingLighting Planting theme, plant selectionPlanting theme, plant selection

Your BudgetYour Budget - - what you what you don’tdon’t want to cut back want to cut back onon

IrrigationIrrigation Soil workSoil work Drainage and fine gradingDrainage and fine grading

Your BudgetYour Budget- - what you what you cancan save on save on

Plant selectionPlant selection Plant sizesPlant sizes Plant quantitiesPlant quantities Materials you useMaterials you use

Design Your LandscapingDesign Your Landscaping- - what are your options?what are your options?

Landscape ArchitectLandscape Architect: Best for complex jobs and : Best for complex jobs and will design around your budget. Good for will design around your budget. Good for competitive bids.competitive bids.

Landscape DesignerLandscape Designer: Will create a concept plan : Will create a concept plan and/or planting plan. May be too vague for and/or planting plan. May be too vague for competitive bids.competitive bids.

Landscape Contractor:Landscape Contractor: Has the most field Has the most field experience. Usually can both design and experience. Usually can both design and implement the project.implement the project.

Tip: Be sure interview a couple of different people AND check their references before making a final decision.

Selecting a ContractorSelecting a Contractor

Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals from friends Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals from friends or neighbors who have landscapes you admireor neighbors who have landscapes you admire

If you see an exceptional front yard, stop and If you see an exceptional front yard, stop and ask about their contractorask about their contractor

You’re going to establish a relationship with You’re going to establish a relationship with your contractor, hopefully it will be a your contractor, hopefully it will be a relationship you can count on for yearsrelationship you can count on for years

Selecting a ContractorSelecting a Contractor- What to ask for:- What to ask for:

Ask for their license numberAsk for their license number Be sure to use a state licensed contractorBe sure to use a state licensed contractor

Ask to have their insurance provider send Ask to have their insurance provider send you certificates of both liability insurance you certificates of both liability insurance and workman’s comp insuranceand workman’s comp insurance This is a free service This is a free service

Ask for job referralsAsk for job referrals look at jobs and talk to clientslook at jobs and talk to clients

Selecting a ContractorSelecting a Contractor- other considerations- other considerations

Consider the size of the contracting firmConsider the size of the contracting firm Ask whether they use sub-contractorsAsk whether they use sub-contractors

This may affect the quality and care of the project.This may affect the quality and care of the project. Make sure to check license numbers and certificates Make sure to check license numbers and certificates

of insurance for workman’s comp and liability for of insurance for workman’s comp and liability for subcontractors too.subcontractors too.

Remember: if anyone Remember: if anyone workingworking on your property on your property does not have workman’s comp or liability does not have workman’s comp or liability insurance, insurance, you become liableyou become liable..

When you have selected When you have selected a contractor…a contractor…

Ask them how long it will take, and have Ask them how long it will take, and have them confirm it in writingthem confirm it in writing

Make sure you can communicate easily Make sure you can communicate easily with the foremanwith the foreman

Avoid paying money up front…instead, Avoid paying money up front…instead, negotiate progress paymentsnegotiate progress payments

Ask about a warrantyAsk about a warranty

Landscape MaintenanceLandscape Maintenance

Some contractors will provide weekly Some contractors will provide weekly maintenancemaintenance

If not, ask for referralsIf not, ask for referrals Consider hiring someone who does work Consider hiring someone who does work

in your neighborhood…there can be cost in your neighborhood…there can be cost savings if multiple area residents use the savings if multiple area residents use the same companysame company

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Lansker Landscape Lansker Landscape DesignDesign

(858)459-8895(858)459-8895

City of San Diego Fire Dept Presentation Eddie Villavicencio Presentation on separate flash drive

Closing Presentation

Jim Kulkhen

JIM KUHLKEN

LICENSED LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT

RLA CA 2281, AZ 40791, CLARB 3335

LEED ACCREDITED PROFESSIONAL

PRINCIPAL – LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE DIVISION – RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY

Break Out Sessions

• Groups will meet here in the Sanctuary or in regular meeting rooms

• Good night!