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This page is dedicated to the articles we have written to provide more information to our ever expanding customer base. Please feel free to contact us with any comments or questions.
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Although Custom Gates are our specialty, we also offer Sculptures for any budget, Landscape Design and Installation to enhance any property, Hardscapes including, stone columns, stone walls and water features.
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Creating that Perfect Gated Entrance Design!
Where to start? The first thing to consider when coming up with a new entrance design is the location. If it is a new property you may have many options, although Convenience is one of the most important things to consider. You don't want to have to make a “U-Turn” to get into your property, you also have to consider who/what will be coming through that entrance...guests, contractors, builders, cement trucks, semi trucks, all will need the Room to enter your property safely. For existing properties the choices can be limited, but that does not mean you have to have an ugly entrance.
You have the perfect location, now what? Unless you are a contractor or designer, it is best to let a professional do the design work for you. We have always been able to come up with exciting Entrance Designs to almost any property. Through careful planning, consultations and insight, a beautiful entrance can be designed for your property.
Another important consideration for your entrance is the distance from the “turn off” road. All counties will have a minimum “set back” requirement for any gates, fences, stone work, lighting, etc. Be sure to check with the local building department on what their required set backs are (typically the minimum set back is 35-40 feet from the center of the road). If you plan on having an Entry Gate and if it is at all possible, keep the entrance at least 70-80 feet from the turn-off road. This will allow for most vehicles to pull completely off the road while waiting for the Gate to open. Keep the “Flair”, (where your drive meets the turn-off road) as wide as possible. This will help to keep your guests/visitors from clipping your landscaping, stone work, lights, mail boxes, etc. as they turn into your property.
So now you have your location, your basic design/layout, its time to consider the Entry Gate. The Entry Gate should enhance your property while also serving it's main purpose, Security. The Gate design is very important to the Feel of the entrance, and along with the Columns and Lighting should be incorporated into the Entrance Design. Your Entry Gate should be welcoming, interesting and the centerpiece of your entrance. Your Entrance can tie in with the surrounding landscape or it can stand out from the crowd! It is Very Important that you use a Professional Gate Builder/Installer for your gate. You want the best gate operators that you can afford. The last thing you want is to have to manually open your gate in the pouring rain, you will be soaked by the time you get it open! We use only top of the line gate operators and safety devices to try to eliminate down time and maintenance.
Landscaping is next. The plants you choose should all be “zoned” for your specific location. Are you going to have irrigation? If not it is vital that you choose plants that are hardy and native to your area. You can typically expect a 5%-10% loss of plants for a non-irrigated landscape (assuming there is not a drought), so plan on replacing a couple of plants. Use plenty of mulch, 4”-6” around the plants, this will help with retaining water.
Enjoy your Entrance! The above is a very compacted Entrance Design plan of attack, but will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Where to start? The first thing to consider when coming up with a new entrance design is the location. If it is a new property you may have many options, although Convenience is one of the most important things to consider. You don't want to have to make a “U-Turn” to get into your property, you also have to consider who/what will be coming through that entrance...guests, contractors, builders, cement trucks, semi trucks, all will need the Room to enter your property safely. For existing properties the choices can be limited, but that does not mean you have to have an ugly entrance.
You have the perfect location, now what? Unless you are a contractor or designer, it is best to let a professional do the design work for you. We have always been able to come up with exciting Entrance Designs to almost any property. Through careful planning, consultations and insight, a beautiful entrance can be designed for your property.
Another important consideration for your entrance is the distance from the “turn off” road. All counties will have a minimum “set back” requirement for any gates, fences, stone work, lighting, etc. Be sure to check with the local building department on what their required set backs are (typically the minimum set back is 35-40 feet from the center of the road). If you plan on having an Entry Gate and if it is at all possible, keep the entrance at least 70-80 feet from the turn-off road. This will allow for most vehicles to pull completely off the road while waiting for the Gate to open. Keep the “Flair”, (where your drive meets the turn-off road) as wide as possible. This will help to keep your guests/visitors from clipping your landscaping, stone work, lights, mail boxes, etc. as they turn into your property.
So now you have your location, your basic design/layout, its time to consider the Entry Gate. The Entry Gate should enhance your property while also serving it's main purpose, Security. The Gate design is very important to the Feel of the entrance, and along with the Columns and Lighting should be incorporated into the Entrance Design. Your Entry Gate should be welcoming, interesting and the centerpiece of your entrance. Your Entrance can tie in with the surrounding landscape or it can stand out from the crowd! It is Very Important that you use a Professional Gate Builder/Installer for your gate. You want the best gate operators that you can afford. The last thing you want is to have to manually open your gate in the pouring rain, you will be soaked by the time you get it open! We use only top of the line gate operators and safety devices to try to eliminate down time and maintenance.
Landscaping is next. The plants you choose should all be “zoned” for your specific location. Are you going to have irrigation? If not it is vital that you choose plants that are hardy and native to your area. You can typically expect a 5%-10% loss of plants for a non-irrigated landscape (assuming there is not a drought), so plan on replacing a couple of plants. Use plenty of mulch, 4”-6” around the plants, this will help with retaining water.
Enjoy your Entrance! The above is a very compacted Entrance Design plan of attack, but will give you a pretty good idea of what to expect.
Thomas Elfers is a professional Fabricator/Designer working with clients from all over the country. We build Custom Wrought Iron Gates and build complete Entrances for home owners and developments. We also create Iron Furniture, Sculptures, Fire screens, and many other Iron Works. Our company specializes in complete entrance design and construction. We are a full service company that provides Custom Wrought Iron Gates, Full Automation, Electrical and Lighting, Block and Stone work, Landscaping, Monument and Street Signs. We pride ourselves on quality craftsmanship and exceptional service. Brose through our site to see the amazing work we have done. Give us a call (828) 288-3001, or email us with any comments or questions.
How to attract prospects to your property
You've decided to develop a property, you have the land, you've platted the property, acquired the proper permits, now what. Well, in order to sell your property, you will need to create interest in that property. One of the best ways to do that is to have an entrance to the property that makes your future clients "want" to live there!
The entrance should be exciting, warm and welcoming. Your future clients will want a sense of security, with out feeling caged in. The hardscapes and landscapes should compliment and "Fit in" to the surrounding areas. You can also create interest by installing a custom gate that reflects the feeling of the community, beautiful stone work, bright and colorful landscaping that "Shows off" year round, hardscapes and/or water features that tie the property into the natural surroundings, these are the kind of attributes that get properties not only noticed but "Sold"!
People more and more are looking for Security. There are many properties that offer a "Gated Community", so there are many to choose from. By having an Inviting, beautiful entrance you not only increase the property value, but you increase traffic and interest to Your property. You want your prospective buyers to feel secure in there new home, but not locked in. By having beautiful hardscapes, attractive lighting, interesting landscaping and not to mention a custom gate that enhances the property without giving off that "Keep Out" feeling.
Remember most of all you are trying to sell your property, satisfy your clients and create an atmosphere of "Welcome Home!".
You've decided to develop a property, you have the land, you've platted the property, acquired the proper permits, now what. Well, in order to sell your property, you will need to create interest in that property. One of the best ways to do that is to have an entrance to the property that makes your future clients "want" to live there!
The entrance should be exciting, warm and welcoming. Your future clients will want a sense of security, with out feeling caged in. The hardscapes and landscapes should compliment and "Fit in" to the surrounding areas. You can also create interest by installing a custom gate that reflects the feeling of the community, beautiful stone work, bright and colorful landscaping that "Shows off" year round, hardscapes and/or water features that tie the property into the natural surroundings, these are the kind of attributes that get properties not only noticed but "Sold"!
People more and more are looking for Security. There are many properties that offer a "Gated Community", so there are many to choose from. By having an Inviting, beautiful entrance you not only increase the property value, but you increase traffic and interest to Your property. You want your prospective buyers to feel secure in there new home, but not locked in. By having beautiful hardscapes, attractive lighting, interesting landscaping and not to mention a custom gate that enhances the property without giving off that "Keep Out" feeling.
Remember most of all you are trying to sell your property, satisfy your clients and create an atmosphere of "Welcome Home!".
Six Tips to Prosper During a Slowdown
If you run a small business, you know that the market, trends and business plans have changed drastically in the past two years. Small businesses are especially hard hit, so here are six things you can do help your business actually prosper during the current slow down.
1. Reduce overhead and operating expenses. Don't be afraid of change! Moving your business to a less costly building can greatly reduce your overhead costs. Get rid of any unnecessary services, ie. cable TV is not necessary at the office, that snack machine is eating away at your cash flow, bringing breakfast or lunch to work could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year, just changing the type of lighting you use can help reduce your electric bill. These little cuts add up fast, and will help take pressure off of you so you can spend more time on your Ideas and production.
2. Give your office/shop a fresh look. This will help create a sense of moving forward and not stagnating. It will also show your customers that you have pride in your business and make them feel more comfortable doing business with you. There are many inexpensive ways to spice up a office or shop, paint is one of the cheapest, window or wall dressing can really make a big difference, Potted plants will warm up any area, and keep it Clean!
3. Create your own Web Site or Blog. There are hundreds-thousands of sites that offer free web sites or blogs. Take advantage of all the Free forms of advertising that you can find! Most of the free sites make it very simple to create a web page, they can walk you through it and you can have a site or blog up in a matter of minutes! Some suggested sites are; Merchant Circle, LinkedIn, Face Book, Twitter, etc. The more your name is out there the easier it is for customers to find you.
4. Get involved in your community, become active in your local merchant associations, join your chamber of commerce, attend town meetings. These are all great places to Network! The more you are seen the more attention you will create for your business.
5. Take a good look at your abilities and products, and change to services and products that are popular Now! This is an ever-changing market and if you don't change with it, it will move right on without you!
6. Never Give Up! Be persistent, follow up, follow up, follow up every chance you get. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is going on around you, there are opportunities Everywhere! What skills do you have that you haven't tapped into? Do what your really good at and what you really love, these two things alone will give you passion in your work and passion leads to success!
In these trying times it is possible to achieve Balance and Prosperity, but don't wait for it, go get it, now!
If you run a small business, you know that the market, trends and business plans have changed drastically in the past two years. Small businesses are especially hard hit, so here are six things you can do help your business actually prosper during the current slow down.
1. Reduce overhead and operating expenses. Don't be afraid of change! Moving your business to a less costly building can greatly reduce your overhead costs. Get rid of any unnecessary services, ie. cable TV is not necessary at the office, that snack machine is eating away at your cash flow, bringing breakfast or lunch to work could save hundreds if not thousands of dollars a year, just changing the type of lighting you use can help reduce your electric bill. These little cuts add up fast, and will help take pressure off of you so you can spend more time on your Ideas and production.
2. Give your office/shop a fresh look. This will help create a sense of moving forward and not stagnating. It will also show your customers that you have pride in your business and make them feel more comfortable doing business with you. There are many inexpensive ways to spice up a office or shop, paint is one of the cheapest, window or wall dressing can really make a big difference, Potted plants will warm up any area, and keep it Clean!
3. Create your own Web Site or Blog. There are hundreds-thousands of sites that offer free web sites or blogs. Take advantage of all the Free forms of advertising that you can find! Most of the free sites make it very simple to create a web page, they can walk you through it and you can have a site or blog up in a matter of minutes! Some suggested sites are; Merchant Circle, LinkedIn, Face Book, Twitter, etc. The more your name is out there the easier it is for customers to find you.
4. Get involved in your community, become active in your local merchant associations, join your chamber of commerce, attend town meetings. These are all great places to Network! The more you are seen the more attention you will create for your business.
5. Take a good look at your abilities and products, and change to services and products that are popular Now! This is an ever-changing market and if you don't change with it, it will move right on without you!
6. Never Give Up! Be persistent, follow up, follow up, follow up every chance you get. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is going on around you, there are opportunities Everywhere! What skills do you have that you haven't tapped into? Do what your really good at and what you really love, these two things alone will give you passion in your work and passion leads to success!
In these trying times it is possible to achieve Balance and Prosperity, but don't wait for it, go get it, now!
What is Positive Thinking?
You've heard it a hundred times if you've heard it once, "just think positive". What does that mean? How can you think positive when there are so many negative things happening. I'll tell you what I think.
Thinking positive is not just a thought process, it is a commitment to a different way of life, it is a process in which the way you think is the way you live. Think about your life, is it what you "thought" it would be? The truth is, it is exactly what you thought it would be. You see it is the way you think and feel about your self, your life, that directs you down the path that You choose. Nobody makes you do, or think, or act in a certain way, it is all YOU! So it is up to You to do something about it. What do you Do?
Think Positive! How? That's easy, it's a matter of Remembering the positive times in your life, like when you graduated High School, College, or when you got married, had a child, got your first bike, your first kiss, your first job. Remember how it felt, how it looked, how it smelled, How did You "Feel", I guarantee you, you felt Positive, Elated, Amazed, and Empowered. These feelings are the key to thinking and feeling Positive. They are your Brick and Mortar of the life you want to build. Your ability to remember those feelings when you are feeling down is a sure way to bring you back up!
Applying a "Positive Think" as I call it, to the decisions and choices you make throughout your day is how you can turn your life around. Your "Life" is what you think it is, if you think it sucks, then You are guaranteeing it sucks, but just the opposite works also, if you think your life is Great, is Wonderful, is an opportunity around every corner, then it will be as you think it is. You see, it is what you think and feel that truly directs you to the life that you want.
What kind of life do you want? One that is dark and dreary, or one that is Bright and full of opportunity! It's your choice, no one can make it for you, you are in control of what you think. Think Positive and you will be positive.
You've heard it a hundred times if you've heard it once, "just think positive". What does that mean? How can you think positive when there are so many negative things happening. I'll tell you what I think.
Thinking positive is not just a thought process, it is a commitment to a different way of life, it is a process in which the way you think is the way you live. Think about your life, is it what you "thought" it would be? The truth is, it is exactly what you thought it would be. You see it is the way you think and feel about your self, your life, that directs you down the path that You choose. Nobody makes you do, or think, or act in a certain way, it is all YOU! So it is up to You to do something about it. What do you Do?
Think Positive! How? That's easy, it's a matter of Remembering the positive times in your life, like when you graduated High School, College, or when you got married, had a child, got your first bike, your first kiss, your first job. Remember how it felt, how it looked, how it smelled, How did You "Feel", I guarantee you, you felt Positive, Elated, Amazed, and Empowered. These feelings are the key to thinking and feeling Positive. They are your Brick and Mortar of the life you want to build. Your ability to remember those feelings when you are feeling down is a sure way to bring you back up!
Applying a "Positive Think" as I call it, to the decisions and choices you make throughout your day is how you can turn your life around. Your "Life" is what you think it is, if you think it sucks, then You are guaranteeing it sucks, but just the opposite works also, if you think your life is Great, is Wonderful, is an opportunity around every corner, then it will be as you think it is. You see, it is what you think and feel that truly directs you to the life that you want.
What kind of life do you want? One that is dark and dreary, or one that is Bright and full of opportunity! It's your choice, no one can make it for you, you are in control of what you think. Think Positive and you will be positive.