At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we strive to give you the best customer experience and craftsmanship possible. We do that from the time you first contact us all the way through the installation process. On the other end, we can maintain your landscape for you or help you learn to do it yourself. Here is what to expect from us.
Consultation Scheduling
You can schedule a consultation at the best time for you instead of having to meet when you are busy or pressed for time. Our system allows you to upload photos of your current landscape and any photos of what you want it to look like. Your written description of what you want means we can begin thinking of how to get there from where your landscape is now. Documenting before and after in our scheduling system allows us to prepare for your consultation and use your time in the best way possible.
Communication System
We don’t take your money and disappear. From the time you sign the contract to the final walk-through, we communicate in emails that explain what is happening at any given stage of the project. Our team will also communicate by email and text to let you know what has been finished and what the next steps will be.
Team Effort
Every one of our employees plays a vital part in your customer service experience. From Andy Wright, our president, and salesman, to the newest member of the Blue Crew, we live our C.R.O.W.N. values:
Communication Priority
If we don’t communicate well, it causes problems. We will make sure we understand what you want. In addition, all communications within our company will give every employee that information. If someone has a question, they are empowered to speak up and ask it. There are no stupid questions.
Respectful Attitude
We do not tolerate rude or disrespectful behavior from our employees or clients. Everyone should be treated as a valued person, whether they are the boss, the client, or a ditch digger.
Ownership Mentality
We encourage our employees to own the installation. If they see a mistake or know how to make an installation run smoother, they are encouraged to speak to their supervisor. Employee innovation helps us grow better.
Willingness to Serve
We lead from the front. If we see a need, every one of our employees is willing to pitch in to help. Our employees are in it for the long haul and genuinely want to serve our customers.
Never-Ending Pursuit of Our Potential
Our employees continue to grow as people and as skilled craftsmen. We take continuing education units (C.E.U.s) every year to maintain our certifications or gain new ones. We know the latest best practices for our craft. If there is a better way to do things, we want to learn it. We also support employees that want to advance in our company.
Tammy, our office manager, fields phone calls, makes sure utilities are flagged for our crew, and makes sure the materials the Blue Crew needs are at the right place on the right day.
Field staff Trained in Customer Service
All of our field staff speak English and are trained in customer service. This training is reinforced in weekly meetings. There is also a logistics meeting every week to make sure we have the materials and people ready to go at each step of the process. Henry, our field supervisor, makes sure everything gets done right and on time. Finally, the members of the Blue Crew meet every morning to go over the day’s tasks. Their job plan reports contain the exact language in your contract, so you get everything you paid for.
When your project is done, we make sure that you know how to care for the new plants. We have watering, fertilization, and pruning care guides., We also have virtually any information you need to keep your landscape looking great. Just ask us.
Garden Care Subscription
Sometimes, trying to maintain a landscape yourself is a burden. Maybe you are too busy or unable to care for it as it should be taken care of. We have a solution for that. When you subscribe to our garden care subscription, we maintain your landscape for you. Lauryn, our garden care specialist, makes sure that your plants get exactly what they need to thrive. Call Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today at (816) 825-2524 to get a free estimate for your landscape garden care subscription and to get on our schedule.
Still Hiring
If you are interested in a career in landscaping, we are hiring. Check our career page for details.
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping is proud to announce we are a Small Business Superstar for 2022. We were recognized by the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce after someone nominated us. This recognizes any small business that is submitted, has fewer than 250 employees, is a for-profit business, and is headquartered in Greater Kansas City. We are in the running for Small Business of the Year 2022.
Our Purpose
We are thrilled that our vendors, employees, and customers regard us so highly. When we started out in 2013:
“We started the business to better serve our clients as well as our employees. We believe that the customer experience is as important as the design and craftsmanship of the project, and we are continually striving to improve the experience for our clients through our core values. We also believe that our team members inherently want to succeed and that it is our responsibility to define how success looks. Therefore, we are continually developing our team’s skills in the field as well as the culture and mindset which directly reflects in the customer’s experience.”
Love of Nature
Landscapes should bring their owners joy. We love nature and want to bring that feeling to our customers. Our outdoor living spaces extend the comfort of your home into nature. You can enjoy the outdoors more days of the year with outdoor rooms, a few added items like fire pits, or a few chairs in a gazebo. You should not have to travel to enjoy nature.
Beauty You Can Enjoy
Whether it is looking out the window or hosting a party, your landscape should please you. More, it should reflect you. Some people want colorful flowers everywhere, some want trees and shrubs to be the stars. We can work with you to bring your dream into reality.
Our Promise
Our company promise is: “We strive to give our clients the best experience and craftsmanship possible.” This is true whether we are mowing the lawn or building an outdoor living space with a fireplace and big screen TV, or a roof over the patio. We always do our best. If you are not happy with the results, we will do our best to make it right.
It Will Not Go To Our Head
As thrilled as we are, we will not let this award go to our heads. We will work just as hard in meeting your future needs as we did meeting your past needs. If you need us, we will be happy to help you. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping looks forward to spring when we can start crafting your landscape for 2022. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and get started.
“You have such a nice landscape. I always enjoy coming to your outdoor parties to see all the beautiful plants and flowers. I bet it takes you a lot of work, doesn’t it?” Who doesn’t want this kind of compliment? You don’t have to tell them how low maintenance your landscape is. Let it be your secret.
There are three keys to keeping your landscape looking nice without spending hours every week slaving in the garden. When we discuss low-maintenance landscapes, we are talking about the ornamental garden beds where your shrubs, perennials, and ornamental trees are located around the house and property. These keys are 1) hardy, healthy plants 2) weed control, and 3) pruning. Each contributes to designing a low-maintenance landscape.
Hardy, Healthy Plants
Start your landscape off right by choosing hardy, healthy plants to put into it. These plants will survive with low inputs of water and fertilizer and resist pests and diseases. The best way to find the hardiest plants is to use native and adapted ones. Native plants are already adapted to the amount of rainfall the area gets, the pests and diseases in the area, and the temperature extremes the area goes through. Adapted plants are not native but have needs like native plants and so don’t require a lot of care. Of course, you will need to water your plants 2-3 times a week the first year of the plant’s life, but by the second or third year, you will only need to water during summer months or times of drought. Experienced landscapers and gardeners will know what plants work best in the environment and what plants to avoid.
As for the healthy part, you will need to carefully inspect any plant you are considering putting in your landscape. Make sure the plant looks healthy, is not wilted, has no yellow or discolored leaves, and shows no signs of pests on it. If you see any of these red flags, don’t buy that plant at that nursery. It is similar to choosing produce at the market. By starting with the best stock you will have better chances of a hardy plant in the future.
Weed Control
In addition to looking bad, weeds take nutrients, water, and sun from your landscape plants. If weeds are not controlled, they will choke out the more desirable plants. The easiest way to control the weeds is to use a mulch in combination with a granular pre-emergent. These mulches come in natural or dyed colors to match your décor. If the pre-emergent does not stop the weeds from growing, the two to three-inch layer of mulch will starve the weed plant before it reaches the sun.
While mulch needs an inch or two added to the existing mulch each year to refresh it, river rock does not. When using rock as a mulch we recommend laying a weed barrier fabric on the ground and then putting the river rock on that. This keeps the weeds from growing between the rocks. While river rock doesn’t need to be refreshed, it does need to have all leaves and grass clippings blown off it regularly. Otherwise, these decay and form pockets of organic matter a weed seed can grow in.
Pruning
Shrubs and ornamental trees need regular pruning to look their best. The first year, the trees and shrubs will need very little pruning when they are planted. After that, they should be pruned two to three times a year to stimulate growth, make sure they are growing into pleasing shapes, and remove dead, diseased, and broken branches. 2 to 3 times a year to manage the beauty of your landscape plantings is a small amount of time compared to the effort we put into our lawns every week and every month mowing, fertilizing and watering.
Perennials will need to be cut back when the foliage dies for the season. They can also be deadheaded to stimulate more blossoms during the growing season if you want the most of these plants. Ornamental grasses will also need to be pruned once a season to stimulate new growth. We recommend doing so as the growing season is just starting in the spring since the grass adds interest during the winter season.
No Maintenance Landscapes
There is no such thing as a no-maintenance landscape. Even low-maintenance gardens need some attention. We know you have busy lives and may not want to spend some of your scarce leisure time taking care of your landscape. The Blue Crew knows landscape and garden care, and we are happy to help. Whether you need us to install your landscape or simply maintain an existing landscape, contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to have a beautiful landscape that flourishes all season long.
Imagine your family huddled around a roaring fire in the cool fall evening air. You share stories and roast marshmallows for a sweet smores treat. Everyone’s phones and screens are put away for the moment and you are connecting and enjoying each other’s company. Laughing and bonding around an essential element that has been around for millions of years.
There are many ways to bring fire into the landscape. These fire features vary by shape and size, from wood-burning to gas-fueled. Some with lava rock, glass beads, or gas logs. Read on for our most popular ideas to integrate fire into your landscape.
Fire Pits
Fire pits are usually above-ground structures built of stone or other pleasing rock. The fire is built in a depression in the center. Some fire pits are recessed in a hole in the patio. Built-in benches or chairs usually ring the pit. This pit helps warm up the area surrounding it. You can toast marshmallows or enjoy the fire just as if it were built on a campground.
Fire Tables
If cooking or sharing food is a major part of being outside with friends, you can have a fire table. These have a burner, usually fed by gas, that can be cooked over. The burners can be round or in a line, whichever fits the table’s shape. The fire warms the area of the table. If the fire is not needed, the table can be used without it.
Fireplaces
Fireplaces can be a warm place to share your landscape. A fireplace can hide any unsightly views. It can also be a place to mount a large television or an impressive mantel. Storage boxes for wood and a hearth can be included in the wall that holds the fireplace. Fireplaces tend to be the most expensive option for adding fire into the landscape. Care should be taken to design the fireplace to fit with the style and architecture of the home.
Pizza Oven
If you love pizza, bread, and other baked goods, you may want an outdoor pizza oven. Nothing tastes like a pizza cooked over a wood fire. Not only can you make wood-fired pizza, but the oven also puts off a lot of heat to keep you warm in your landscape. There are many types of pizza ovens for the outdoors. Many come with some very nice features, such as an internal temperature gauge so you can keep from burning your food.
Other Fire Features
We can custom-build other fire features. Some requests include fire bowls, fire boulders, and fire/water combinations. Putting a fire element inside a water element can be a dramatic conversation piece. A fire floating in a pond or in the center of a fountain makes those features more interesting. Fire can also backlight a waterfall, making the water glow as it falls.
Tiki Torches
Tiki torches can surround a patio or deck to add light with ambiance. Permanent torches may run off gas. Other more temporary torches can be filled with oil scented with citronella. The smell of this burning oil helps keep the mosquitoes at bay so you can enjoy the outdoors more.
Fire ignites something primal in people. It seems to represent safety – from predators and humans with ill intent – and warmth. Of course, you don’t have to worry about either type of predator in your landscape. However, tapping into those feelings with the use of fire elements in the landscape makes your landscape more inviting. Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping can build these and many other fire elements for you. Our crew includes skilled stonemasons, plumbers, and contractors to convert your vision into reality. Contact Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping today to schedule a consult and find out what we can build for you.
Enhance your outdoor living space with outdoor audio. Eliminate the need to try to play your indoor system loudly enough to be heard outside, with the tinny sound that entails. With the right equipment, not only will it sound wonderful, but you can play your music on the patio while the kids can play their music by the pool. That keeps everyone happier.
If you have decided to install an outdoor audio system, there are several steps. Skipping a step can mean you are just never quite happy with the install. With the amount of money you can spend, and the amount of labor involved, you want to get it right the first time.
Make A Plan
Before you buy any equipment, you need to assess your space. Figure out how big the space is, what architectural features it has, and how many speakers it will take to cover it. A pair of speakers can cover 200-400 square feet in most cases. Too few speakers lead to overworking the ones you purchase, which will have poor sound quality and can blow the speakers. Too many speakers can waste money.
The acoustics outside are very different than the acoustics inside. Outside there are no walls to contain and reflect the sound. Unless you distribute the speakers properly, and use the correct speaker for each area, you will have loud spots and quiet spots. If you do not position the speakers right, you may flood your neighbors with sound. That would be a bad thing.
Speaker Considerations
The first rule when buying speakers is do not ruin your outdoor system by scrimping on your speakers. The second rule is buy outdoor speakers. Indoor speakers are just not built to last in the face of rain, snow, wind, sun, heat, and cold. The first time they get wet they will stop working. Even if you could somehow put the speakers in little houses to protect them, indoor speakers cannot handle the volume needed for the outdoors. They are designed for small, enclosed areas and are set to use the walls and ceiling to contain and reflect the sound.
Types Of Outdoor Speakers
Outdoor speakers come in wireless and hard-wired versions. The advantage of wireless speakers is that you can easily add them to your indoor receiver and control the whole thing on your smartphone. The disadvantage is that if you do not have a fast and stable internet connection in your home, the wireless speakers will not be able to deliver consistent sound. If your receiver does not have enough slots for the speakers you are using, you may have to get a new receiver that does.
Hard wired speakers deliver the best sound. They also work best for permanently mounted systems. One caution is that you must use heavy-duty, outdoor wire. Using internal speaker wire will cause static and the wires do not last long buried.
An example of an outdoor speaker installed in a flower bed.
When spacing speakers, be careful about putting them too close together. You will need to space them at least ten feet apart or they will interfere with one another. When placing the speakers, alternate right and left speakers so you have stereo wherever you are in the yard. You can purchase speakers that are disguised as garden rocks or bury more modern speakers partially for a sleek look. Place your speakers under natural cover such as trees and bushes to protect them so they will last longer.
Receivers And Amplifiers
You will need a receiver and an amplifier. The receiver gets the signals from the radio station and amplifies it before sending it to the speakers. However, it can only amplify the signal so much. You will need a multichannel amplifier to boost the signal so that it will reach each speaker with the strength necessary to have even sound around your space. Buy one that is compatible with your speakers.
Even if you have an indoor receiver, it is a good idea to buy a multi-channel receiver for your outdoor system. This allows each speaker to get a dedicated receiver channel. You can then segment your audio into zones just as your sprinklers have zones. One of the zones can be your indoor speakers so you can control your indoor and outdoor system from your smart phone. The zones can balance out soft and loud volume in your space. You can even use different zones to play separate channels. Make sure your receiver is compatible with the amplifier and speakers. Do not under power your speakers. You will need at least 40 watts per channel.
Now you have all components for your outdoor audio system. Be sure to test your speakers before final installation to make sure they are working as you expect before filling in the trenches that hold your wires.
Get A Professional To Design and Install Your Outdoor Audio System
Installing an outdoor audio system has a lot of moving parts. It also requires a lot of work. If you get it wrong, you will have to dig up the wires and move the speakers around until it sounds right. This can be very time consuming and incredibly frustrating. Consider how much your time is worth before tackling a big job like this.
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping has experience installing outdoor audio systems. Our Blue Crew includes trained audio/visual experts that can install an outdoor audio system that will serve your needs, the first time.
We use Coastal Source speakers. They are durable, reliable, and have the many shapes and sizes of speakers it requires to really fill your outdoor living room with the sounds you love. As always, our goal is to bring you the ultimate outdoor experience. Contact us today to request an outdoor audio system consult.
