Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A newly renovated bathroom is one of the top items on a homebuyer's wish list. But a full bathroom remodel isn't the only way to capture the hearts of would-be buyers. A shower remodel is one way to update the look of a bathroom's aesthetic as well as its function.

It makes sense that homebuyers want the place they bathe to look and feel clean. While a full remodel would be ideal, other updates to a bathroom would also be welcomed. This could mean anything from a new vanity to updated fixtures to a tankless toilet.

But a beautiful new shower -- bonus points for multiple shower heads or a frameless shower door -- could sweeten the deal for potential buyers. And depending on which type of shower you choose, you could change the look of the entire space.

According to HomeAdvisor (NASDAQ: ANGI), the average cost to install a new shower is $4,991, with a range between $1,951 and $8,044. For example, a 32-inch square acrylic stall can range from $750 to $3,000, while a custom-tiled walk-in shower of the same size can run you anywhere from $4,200 to $8,500. Keep in mind that these figures are just for the shower itself, not plumbing, which will cost extra.

Fixing existing plumbing is one thing, but adding plumbing is another. If you plan to upgrade a half bath to a three-quarter, you can expect to pay more to install pipes and drains. Adding a shower to a half bath can cost anywhere between $900 and $12,500, according to HomeAdvisor. A bathroom should be at least 5' x 7' to hold a sink, toilet, and shower. If walls need to be built or removed to make room for these fixtures, your costs will be on the higher side of the range.

As with all home improvement projects, it all depends on size, design, and materials. Suffice it to say, if you want your new shower to resemble something in a hotel spa, you'll be at the higher end of these price ranges.

According to Remodeling's Cost vs. Value Report, a midrange bathroom remodel has a 64% ROI. Even if you don't spring for an entire redo of the bath, it makes sense to update the shower to woo buyers.

While a soaking tub used to be the wow factor for a bathroom, now it's a walk-in shower. Spacious and spa-like, they are as beautiful to bathe in as they are accessible. This is particularly important for buyers with limited mobility, as well as homeowners who wish to age in place and will appreciate the accessibility a walk-in shower offers.

A bathroom renovation is not only a pricey proposition, but it can be a time-consuming one, too. Potential buyers will appreciate having it already done for them -- in fact, some will expect it. That's why a shower remodel, whether on its own or part of a larger bathroom makeover, could be the key to getting more and better offers for your property.

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Shower Remodel: Worth the Investment? - Motley Fool

Self-care is a relatively new buzzword, but the concept is nothing unfamiliar. To practice self-care is to take time to check in with yourself emotionally, spiritually or in whichever way or place you can unwind best.

Its many meanings span from mental and emotional upkeep, to physical upgrades that can benefit a persons overall well-being for a more balanced, healthy life. If you can think of self-care as not just a headspace, but a real space, design experts will tell you it often materializes in the home as a fully renovated bathroom.

With a new focus on health and wellness, bathrooms as sanctuary spaces have become very important, said Caroline Harmon, trend strategy manager for Lowes Home Improvement. Its where most of the time is spent preparing for the day and unwinding at night, so there's an opportunity to elevate the aesthetic, and turn (the bathroom) into an oasis from the hectic everyday.

For as peaceful and relaxing as a bathroom should be, homeowners investing in one must ensure the new design meets other practical needs, like overall flow and function, increasing the homes value and preventing mistakes or surprises in the handiwork.

Sandra Fox, founder and president of Sensory Six Interior Design Firm in Saratoga Springs, said those are just a few of the reasons why she and her team is involved in so many bathroom redesigns. Kevin Gutman, co-founder of Bennett Contracting in Albany, agrees. Bathrooms are among the top two renovation projects Bennett takes on at a rate of around 100 bathrooms per year in the Capital Region.

While the do-it-yourself attitude is one of the quickest ways to complete a project, both experts say bringing a professional into a bathroom remodel from the start makes for a cohesive, creative experience thats more likely to go according to plan.

Bathroom design and construction is complex, and DIY projects can result in costly errors, Fox said. We begin our process by understanding how our clients anticipate functioning in the space.

If Foxs client shares a bathroom with a significant other, its a cue to incorporate double sinks into the design. And when theres a lust (and a budget) for luxury, she can please a person sensitive to the cold with an upgrade to heated floors, or a news hound with a small flat screen television to watch their favorite morning show.

Engaging a professional gives you access to some of the latest materials and technologies on the market, Fox said. We can find the newest and best of whats out there.

Trending today is a bathroom that wholly embodies the meaning of clean, from the simple, timeless aesthetic to its ease of use.

People want cleanliness without sacrificing style, Fox said. And high-traffic areas like bathrooms are top of mind when it comes to hygiene.

Balancing smart design with functional elements is key, such as incorporating antimicrobial fixtures with large-format tiles to reduce the number of grout lines where dirt can pile up. There are modern design elements that do double duty, like a floating vanity, which adds the look of luxury and makes it easier to clean the floors underneath.

Theres no feature more practical in a modern bathroom than the shower, though freestanding soaking tubs are often eyed by homeowners seeking the ultimate self care inspired space.

Large walk-in showers remain a priority, said Sarah McDonald, designer at Bennett Contracting. Were seeing our clients save up to go all out on fixtures and tile features in their showers, from full scale accent tile walls instead of small tile strips from the past, to adding multiple shower heads for an upgraded experience.

At Jessica Mullens mid-century modern home in Clifton Park, a walk-in shower was a must after she and her husband reorganized renovation priorities. The couple scrapped plans to build a new pool to focus on what they believed would be a better long-term investment, remodeling the main bathroom and giving their home gym a face-lift.

I wanted a concrete-looking walk-in shower, but had no idea how to accomplish it, Mullen said.

After doing some research, she found a contractor with experience creating the look she was going for. Much of his work was on display at the rustic and chic June Farms in West Sand Lake, so she felt familiar with and inspired by the style.

We live in an old, funky home, and my vibe is very bohemian and modern, Mullen said. I wanted to take the bathroom from something you mightve seen in Tony Sopranos house to something fresh and clean.

Mullens renovation is still a work-in-progress, but it already incorporates many of the design elements the experts say are hottest right now.

We went with a floating teak vanity, mixed metal fixtures with champagne brass and matte black, and a bold hexagonal tile of varying sizes for the floor and the shower, Mullen said.

Mullen enjoyed using her own background in design to work alongside a professional team that could make sure the complete gut renovation went smoothly, though that doesnt always mean quickly. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has added weeks, sometimes months to renovation schedules due to limited supply, shipping delays and an overall increase in demand.

With the current level of demand, be patient when it comes to a large project like a bathroom remodel, Gutman said. The planning stage can take a month or two before anything is ordered, and then comes the manufacturing and delivery process.

FUNCTION?-? Antimicrobial fixtures?-? Floating vanities?-? Light therapy shower heads?-? White toilets, sinks and showers for a timeless (vs. trendy) investment

STYLE?-? Bold wallpaper and tile choices?-? Back-lit mirrors?-? Classic, natural materials like marble or stone?-? Mixed metals and matte black fixtures?-? Frameless shower door

LUXURY?-? Freestanding soaking tubs?-? Heated floors?-? Heated towel racks?-? European style "wet room"

Gutman said a homeowner should give themselves a four- to six-month head start from when they want the project to be done.

But once a bathroom transformation is complete, theres no time limit to how many hours you can spend in there perfecting your self-care routine whether its picking up a warm towel off a heated rack, applying a face mask in front of a back-lit mirror, or breathing a bit easier knowing your cleaning routine is simpler thanks to the upgrades youve made.

The plaster, concrete-looking finish on our shower goes on in five- to six-layer increments, and each layer takes a day and a half to set, Mullensaid. We spent a lot of time literally just watching paint dry, but my contractor loves his craft and you can tell by the quality of the work. Id do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Taylor Rao is a frequent contributor to the Times Union. Reach her at taylorrao@gmail.com or @whodatgirl_2bd

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Reshape the bathroom into a functional sanctuary - Times Union

.A stalled frontal boundary, near record moisture levels, andadditional waves of low pressure will provide all the ingredientsfor pockets of heavy rainfall through today....FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH THIS EVENING...The Flash Flood Watch continues for* Portions of southeast Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, includingthe following areas, in southeast Alabama, Henry and Houston.In Florida, Calhoun, Coastal Bay, Coastal Dixie, CoastalFranklin, Coastal Gulf, Coastal Jefferson, Coastal Taylor,Coastal Wakulla, Gadsden, Inland Bay, Inland Dixie, InlandFranklin, Inland Gulf, Inland Jefferson, Inland Taylor, InlandWakulla, Jackson, Lafayette, Leon, Liberty, Madison, andWashington. In Georgia, Baker, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks,Calhoun, Clay, Colquitt, Cook, Decatur, Dougherty, Early,Grady, Irwin, Lanier, Lee, Lowndes, Miller, Mitchell, Quitman,Randolph, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, and Worth.* Through this evening* Pockets of heavy rain will spread into the Florida Big Bend andlower I-75 corridor of Georgia today. Storm total rainfall of 1to 3 inches has already occurred over much of the area outsideof the Southeast Florida Big Bend since Friday evening.Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches with isolatedamounts of 3 to 4 inches are possible.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that leadto flash flooding. Flash flooding is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take actionshould Flash Flood Warnings be issued.&&

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Expect slightly higher sod prices this year - The Albany Herald

By Elise Fisch

The Florida Union Free School District Board of Education met for a work session followed by a special meeting on Thu., Feb. 4 in the S.S. Seward Institute cafeteria to hear updates on the capital project and make a decision regarding the grass on the new athletic fields.

Representatives from BBS Architects and Triton Construction, with information provided by Turco, the turf company, compiled and presented before the Board the pros and cons of both sod and seed in consideration for the Golden Hill Elementary athletic fields. The debate between choosing sod or seed has been ongoing in the Board of Education meetings over the past few months as the fields became ready for the grassing stage at the beginning of winter, when frosts and snowstorms threaten the safety of the grass growth.

It is our belief that its in the districts best financial interest to go with the sod, said Ken Schupner, representative from BBS Architects. The cost of the sod lands in the ballpark of $30,000 less than the seed would cost and faces fewer variables when it comes to installation and maintenance.

The usage of seed would produce an outcome more preferable to the members of the Board for reasons of durability and longevity of use, but the complications involved are too many and too risky to feel like a lucrative decision. The type of seed mix utilized for this region, mostly composed of rye and bluegrass, is less inclined to germination in the cold seasons. This would push seeding back to April (or possibly May), and would require several overseeds to ensure sufficient germination, all while fighting weeds, pests, and erosion caused by spring showers. Under these circumstances, the fields wouldnt be ready for use until spring of 2022.

The emotional decision of the Board is to choose seed, began John Redman, President of the Board. But, sod is the best choice for the district and for the community.

Schupner sympathized but reaffirmed his earlier statements by reiterating that the struggles involved with seeding would, he feared, lead the Board members to feel unhappy with the choice, and concluded by maintaining his agreement with their decision to use sod.

The district will spend $27,000 for equipment to maintain the new fields, an acquisition planned regardless of whether the grass came from seed or from sod. The fields at Golden Hill have been ignored from the 1980s until about now, said Howard Cohen, the districts accountant, as he discussed the costs of the update. The equipment will be paid for by the capital project fund.

BBS and Triton are scheduled to install the sod in the early spring of this year, along with Turco, the turf company, who is involved with the acquisition, installation, and initial maintenance of the fields. They are confident the fields will be ready for use by fall of 2021, for the beginning of the next school year.

Next Meeting

The FUFSD will hold its next regular meeting on Thurs., Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. in the SS Seward cafeteria located at 51 N. Main St., Florida.

The Florida Union Free School District, socially distanced in the S. S. Seward Institute cafeteria, held its regular board meeting to discuss the installation of sod for the athletic fields at Golden Hill Elementary School.

Related

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Sod Installation Planned for Golden Hill Athletic Fields The Warwick Valley Dispatch - wvdispatch.com

West Coast Turf has been growing their all-star grass in Thermal for over 30 years.

Weve done eight Super Bowls and were the only one that has done eight Super Bowls so West Coast Turf is still considered the home of Super Bowl sod," marketing director for West Coast Turf Danielle Scardino told News Channel 3.

Because of the pandemic canceling many professional sports games this year, the local company felt a major impact.

One big thing was not doing the Rose Bowl this year so we have this beautiful field of grass out there which could have been a backup for the Super Bowl if they needed it in Tampa as we have done two Super Bowls in Florida before," Scardino said.

The last Super Bowl which featured our local grass was Super Bowl 50 at Levi's stadium.

The NFL is very conscious of their carbon footprint so they went with a local farm which is fine with us but hopefully we get another Super Bowl when its closer on this coast," she said.

Super Bowl 56 will be at SoFi stadium in LA followed by Super Bowl 57 at the Cardinals stadium in Glendale so West Coast Turf has high hopes theirs will be featured in these upcoming Super Bowls closer to home.

Weve worked with the Rams and the Chargers for years and years but theyd decided to go artificial but the NFL's Players Association is making a demand that all the fields go natural so you never know we might have our grass in the Super Bowl next year cross our fingers," Scardino said. "We can lay it right on top of their artificial turf or we go in and put in a natural grass field," she added.

If the NFL decides to go all-natural, West Coast Turf will prepare a field and anticipate a call from the NFL.

Last weekend, West Coast Turf was used at the American Express tournament and this weekend our local turf is being played on at the Phoenix Open golf tournament.

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Turf being grown in Thermal could be used in upcoming Super Bowls - kuna noticias y kuna radio

SALT LAKE CITY The western United States is in the grip of a once-in-a-lifetime drought that is threatening millions of acres of farmland and rangeland, drying up streams and creeks and forcing people to think about alternative landscaping choices that don't suck up so much water.

"A lot of people will say this is the worst drought they have seen in their lifetime, and yes, they're right," said Joel Lisonbee, a climatologist and drought information coordinator with the National Integrated Drought Information System.

Lisonbee was a presenter on "Drought: The Silent Killer," a Thursday discussion hosted by the Utah Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD.

The drought information system, which operates under the umbrella of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, updated its website at drought.gov, that provides residents with down to the city information across the country regarding drought and weather trends. The drought monitor maps the entire country for dryness with assessments updated weekly.

In the webinar, Lisonbee picked his hometown of Scipio, Millard County, to walk webinar participants through drought conditions over the years.

Looking at Millard County precipitation levels over time, Lisonbee noted that the county has not been as dry as it is now since the 1930s Dust Bowl era.

In fact, the summer of 2020 was the driest ever logged in Utah and Nevada since record keeping began 126 years ago, said Laura Haskell, an engineer with the Utah Division of Water Resource's planning section.

"It was very, very hot and it was very dry," Haskell said, adding that in 20 years of tracking soil moisture levels, that last year headed into winter had the driest conditions in that time frame.

Haskell, the state's point person for the Utah Drought Response Plan, said people are working now to get the word out that outdoor watering should be delayed as long as possible to "stretch" the water storage in reservoirs through the summer.

Conditions are dry now snowpack is in the 60% of normal range across the state and much of the runoff will be absorbed by the thirsty ground before it ever has a chance to make it into creeks, streams and rivers that feed reservoirs, Haskell warned.

"We are trying to get the message out to slow down the water use," she said. A typical lawn watering takes 3,000 gallons of water and Haskell said it is impossible to efficiently water park strips, with moisture that falls on asphalt and sidewalks.

The division has noted that landscape watering often is influenced by a domino effect once a neighbor starts to water, others are inspired to think they should do so as well.

"In the spring, the lawns can stay dormant a little bit longer. We're hoping people will not start watering as soon as they would do in a wetter year. Every watering people don't do, water will be saved."

Rich Linford, chairman of Utah Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, noted he removed all his sod all 2.5 tons of it and now has xeriscaping.

The organization is educating its members made up of a variety of nonprofits, religious organizations and others on the front lines of disaster relief on best practices when it comes to drought preparedness and what steps might mitigate its impacts.

Originally posted here:
If you think the weather's been the driest you've seen in your life, you're right - KSL.com

Sports Turf Seed Market Report Coverage: Key Growth Factors & Challenges, Segmentation & Regional Outlook, Top Industry Trends & Opportunities, Competition Analysis, COVID-19 Impact Analysis & Projected Recovery, and Market Sizing & Forecast.

LOS ANGELES, United States: Report Hive Research has recently published a research report titled, Global Sports Turf Seed Market Research Report 2021.This report has been prepared by experienced and knowledgeable market analysts and researchers. It is a phenomenal compilation of important studies that explore the competitive landscape, segmentation, geographical expansion, and revenue, production, and consumption growth of the global Sports Turf Seed market. Players can use the accurate market facts and figures and statistical studies provided in the report to understand the current and future growth of the global Sports Turf Seed market.

The Sports Turf Seed Market report has been segregated based on distinct categories, such as product type, application, end user, and region. Each and every segment is evaluated on the basis of CAGR, share, and growth potential. In the regional analysis, the report highlights the prospective region, which is estimated to generate opportunities in the global Sports Turf Seed market in the forthcoming years. This segmental analysis will surely turn out to be a useful tool for the readers, stakeholders, and market participants to get a complete picture of the global Sports Turf Seed market and its potential to grow in the years to come.

Key players profiled in the report includes: Hancock SeedPennington SeedThe Scotts CompanyBarenbrug GroupTurf MerchantsGreen Velvet Sod FarmsBonideJonathan GreenPickseedPGG wrightson Turf

Sports Turf Seed Market Segmentation: The global market for Sports Turf Seed is set to find a segmentation in the report that would be based on type, and application. These segments have a better acceptance of various factors that can be taken into consideration to understand how the market can chart the future path.

Sports Turf Seed Market Breakdown based on Product Type

Cool Season GrassWarm Season Grass

Sports Turf Seed Market Breakdown based on Application

Landscape TurfGolf TurfOthers

Sports Turf Seed Market reports offers important insights which help the industry experts, product managers, CEOs, and business executives to draft their policies on various parameters including expansion, acquisition, and new product launch as well as analyzing and understanding the market trends.

Each segment of the global Sports Turf Seed market is extensively evaluated in the research study. The segmental analysis offered in the report pinpoints key opportunities available in the global Sports Turf Seed market through leading segments. The regional study of the global Sports Turf Seed market included in the report helps readers to gain a sound understanding of the development of different geographical markets in recent years and also going forth. We have provided a detailed study on the critical dynamics of the global Sports Turf Seed market, which include the market influence and market effect factors, drivers, challenges, restraints, trends, and prospects. The research study also includes other types of analysis such as qualitative and quantitative.

Report Highlights Comprehensive pricing analysis on the basis of product, application, and regional segments The detailed assessment of the vendor landscape and leading companies to help understand the level of competition in the global Sports Turf Seed market Deep insights about regulatory and investment scenarios of the global Sports Turf Seed market Analysis of market effect factors and their impact on the forecast and outlook of the global Sports Turf Seed market A roadmap of growth opportunities available in the global Sports Turf Seed market with the identification of key factors The exhaustive analysis of various trends of the global Sports Turf Seed market to help identify market developments

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Major Points in Table of Content of Sports Turf Seed Market Link

Chapter 1. Research Objective1.1 Objective, Definition & Scope1.2 Methodology1.2.1 Primary Research1.2.2 Secondary Research1.2.3 Market Forecast Estimation & Approach1.2.4 Assumptions & Assessments1.3 Insights and Growth Relevancy Mapping1.3.1 FABRIC Platform1.4 Data mining & efficiency

Chapter 2. Executive summary2.1 Sports Turf Seed Market Overview2.2 Interconnectivity & Related markets2.3 Ecosystem Map2.4 Sports Turf Seed Market Business Segmentation2.5 Sports Turf Seed Market Geographic Segmentation2.6 Competition Outlook2.7 Key Statistics

Chapter 3. Strategic Analysis3.1 Sports Turf Seed Market Revenue Opportunities3.2 Cost Optimization3.3 Covid19 aftermath Analyst view3.4 Sports Turf Seed Market Digital Transformation

Chapter 4. Market Dynamics4.1 DROC4.1.1 Drivers4.1.2 Restraints4.1.3 Opportunities4.1.4 ChallengesAnd more

Chapter 5. Segmentation & Statistics5.1 Segmentation Overview5.2 Demand Forecast & Market Sizing Global Sports Turf Seed Market by Product Type 2019 2026 Global Sports Turf Seed Market by Application 2019 2026

Chapter 6. Market Use case studies

Chapter 7. KOL Recommendations

Chapter 8. Investment Landscape8.1 Sports Turf Seed Market Investment Analysis8.2 Market M&A8.3 Market Fund Raise & Other activity

Chapter 9. Sports Turf Seed Market Competitive Intelligence9.1 Company Positioning Analysis9.1.1 Positioning By Revenue9.1.2 Positioning By Business Score9.1.3 Legacy Positioning9.2 Competitive Strategy Analysis9.2.1 Organic Strategies9.2.2 Inorganic Strategies

Chapter 10. Company Profiles

Chapter 11. Appendix

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Originally posted here:
Sports Turf Seed Market Overview and Competitive Landscape 2021 to 2027 | Hancock Seed, Pennington Seed, The Scotts Company, Barenbrug Group, Turf...

Lawton went to the polls yesterday (02-09-21) and voted to increase and extend the Hotel-Motel Tax. Roughly 2,000 people voted and over 75% voted yes on the proposal so it passed by an overwhelming majority. The new Hotel-Motel Tax with go into effect on (05-01-21) and will be a 7% tax on all non-residents for local hotel, motel and Airbnb stays. The new Hotel-Motel Tax measure will be for a period of 10 years.

The Hotel-Motel Tax does a lot of good fro the city and helps fund several local and area non-profit organizations and agencies. Some of the money goes to help with tourism and conventions along with grants and projects that positively impact our local economy and quality of life. I'm glad the measure passed and by such a large margin, the citizens of Lawton, Fort Sill want to better our community and see it prosper.

If you're a resident/citizen of Lawton, Fort Sill you won't pay the tax, only those who are visiting or here temporarily and are staying in a local hotel or motel. If you're staying at a hotel, motel or even an Airbnb, just show your I.D. or other form of identification with proof of residency that shows you live in Lawton and you're exempt. The new proposal was amended to increase the tax to 7% and it also covers Airbnb and other short stay rental properties that are becoming more and more popular.

Along with tourism, promotion and conventions the money funds a lot of our local non-profits and festivals including: The Lawton Community Theatre, Holiday in the Park, Armed Services YMCA, Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra, Freedom Festival, Lawton Farmer's Market, Museum of the Great Plains and several others. All these and many more will be able to continue operating and providing services thanks to the Hotel-Motel Tax.

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Lawton Votes to Increase and Extend the Hotel-Motel Tax - KLAW101

After SWAN Park opened almost six years ago, Jerry Joyce settled in as its unofficial, unpaid, outspoken caretaker.

Joyce, who lives near the south-side regional park, can still envision what drove him. Weeds approaching 3 feet high had sprouted on the unused baseball field.

Joyce in the 1960s played baseball at St. Johns University in New York. As a purist of his sport, he said the ugly surface at SWAN Park weighed on him. He called and emailed various people in city government for help. They kept ignoring it, Joyce said. I went down and cleaned up all the weeds in 13 hours. My message was heres what a 71-year-old with bad knees does.

What followed were years of Joyce providing upkeep in the park and prodding city government to uphold its end on maintenance. His photos of the untidy grounds, along with his emails to city councilors and municipal workers, fill a binder.

Now 75, Joyce still reports maintenance problems at the park. But, he says, hes finished investing sweat equity on upkeep.

Im not going to go down there to pull weeds anymore. All I wanted was to see some effort in the other direction.

He said there were hints of progress after John Muoz became director of parks and recreation in 2018. Muoz resigned from his city job this month, leaving Joyce without his most-trusted contact at City Hall.

Gates to the fenced playing field at SWAN Park are locked to stop an onslaught of ATV and motorcycle riders from tearing up sod that never measured up to Joyces standards.

Actually, SWANs field has been closed to public access since 2017, less than two full seasons after opening, Joyce said.

I asked the city staff about the fields status.

Melissa McDonald, acting parks division director, said team play is not being permitted in accordance with the governors order against close contact during the coronavirus pandemic.

As restrictions are lifted, we will start allowing such activities, McDonald wrote in an email.

She said her agency has a maintenance plan to improve all its playing fields.

Access to SWAN Parks field will be allowed through the dugouts once the grass recovers a bit more, McDonald said.

Joyce will be watching, but his expectations of a clean, fully functioning park are low after years of promises from city staffers.

They are extremely good at lip service, he said.

Across the city from Joyces neighborhood, only a few minutes from downtown Santa Fe, another older resident has a memory she cannot shake.

Disabled and ill, she awaited a friend who was delivering soup. The woman, 71, heard someone at her door. She says she made the mistake of opening it without checking the peephole.

A man with a hypodermic needle stuck in his arm stared at her. Terrified, she closed the door and phoned police.

The man had disappeared by the time officers arrived. He left evidence of his presence, having deposited his needle under her welcome mat. Police disposed of the needle.

Its been a difficult several months for the woman. She was infected with COVID-19, and she says her neighborhood recently has taken on an atmosphere of tension almost as great as the October day the drug user appeared at her door.

I wear hearing aids, but I take them off at night. I can still hear people outside making noise and drinking, she said Thursday.

Her fears, she told me, have escalated since city government recently stopped allowing homeless people to camp in parks during the pandemic. A number of people have shifted to spots near her apartment.

The woman praised Mayor Alan Webber and the City Council for clearing the parks, which had been trashed and vandalized by campers. Theres been fallout, though.

A caregiver during her life, the woman says she feels compassion for vulnerable people. But now, she says, she is in that category.

Starting at 4:30, they camp out in their makeshift tents and drink and carouse, she said.

She stays inside her apartment, ready to again summon police if necessary. Its not what she had in mind for this stage of her life.

Some might say shes overreacting. Thats a convenient assessment if youve never seen someone turn your homes entryway into a shooting gallery.

Ringside Seat is an opinion column about people, politics and news. Contact Milan Simonich at msimonich@sfnewmexican.com or 505-986-3080.

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Two tales from the city in time of trouble - Santa Fe New Mexican

2021 Green Industry Economic Report

ATLANTA (PRWEB) February 10, 2021

SingleOps, the leading business management software for outdoor service providers, has published its 2021 Green Industry Economic Report. The report includes data from thousands of green industry professionals in commercial and residential landscaping and tree care businesses in North America who used SingleOps in 2020. A key takeaway from the report is that landscape and tree care businesses persevered in 2020 despite challenges brought on by the pandemic, and various metrics indicate the industry as a whole performed well.

The 2021 Green Industry Economic Report is similar to previous economic reports published by SingleOps. It includes key industry metrics such as proposal acceptance rate, time to payment, and revenue per hour. In creating the report, SingleOps analyzed over 700,000 proposed jobs totaling $1.4 billion and nearly 400,000 accepted jobs totaling nearly $700 million. Following are some of the reports key findings:

One-off Landscaping

This section focuses on landscaping services that take place only once, such as landscape design, irrigation repair, installs, supply retail, and delivery.

Commercial and residential one-off landscaping service providers performed well in 2020. The average revenue per job for commercial projects was $1,598 compared to $1,198 for residential jobs. Commercial job proposals were accepted by clients 75% of the time compared to 59% for residential proposals. Time to pay for commercial jobs was 17 days versus 8 for residential, and the revenue per hour was $125 for commercial jobs compared to $139 for residential.

Recurring Landscaping

This section of the report focuses on landscape services that take place on a recurring basis such as weekly lawn cuttings.

Providers of commercial and residential recurring landscape services also enjoyed a strong 2020. Average revenue per commercial job was $5,390 compared to $842 for residential work. Commercial providers achieved a 92% acceptance rate on proposals while residential proposals were approved at a rate of 97%. Time to payment for commercial jobs was 21 days compared to 13 for residential, and the average revenue per hour for commercial jobs was $128 versus $194 for residential.

Tree Care

This section of the report focuses on the services provided by arborists and tree care professionals, including pruning, tree removal, plant health care, cabling and bracing, transplanting, fertilization, and lightning protection.

Commercial tree care service providers raked in an average of $4,620 per job last year compared to $1,369 for residential jobs. Commercial providers achieved a 62% acceptance rate on proposals while residential proposals were approved at a rate of 49%. Time to payment for commercial jobs was 24 days compared to 7 for residential and revenue per hour was $112 for commercial jobs and $120 for residential.

Across each service and customer type covered in this report, the number of proposals delivered increased and the time to payment went down, said Sean McCormick, CEO of SingleOps. These are significant insights, so we wanted to determine some of the main drivers of these trends. And a big takeaway was that the data pointed to adoption of specific software functionality, in particular digital estimates and integrated payments technology. Companies that leverage digital signatures, automated invoicing, digital/contactless payments, automated reminders, and self-serve customer portals saw higher than average sales activity and A/R efficiency, which isn't surprising for a single company, but to see accelerated adoption of these technologies influencing positive trends industry-wide, that's exciting.

Data in the 2021 Green Industry Economic Report has been aggregated and anonymized to protect the identity of SingleOps customers. The complete report can be found here.

About SingleOps:

SingleOps is the leading all-in-one business management software for outdoor service industries, including tree care, lawn care, full-service landscaping, sod farms, and landscape supply. The company serves thousands of users who have collectively processed over $1.5 billion in revenue through SingleOps, and use it daily to operate their businesses and interact with clients. SingleOps is headquartered in Atlanta, GA. For more information, please visit http://www.singleops.com.

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Built to Last: SingleOps Report Reveals Economic Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Green Industry - PR Web