Thursday, January 29, 2015

Why Hire a Design - Build Firm for Your Outdoor Living Project?

When planning to add a patio, pool, deck, outdoor kitchen - or some other sort of outdoor living addition to your home, the traditional approach has been to meet with a designer, an engineer, and a contractor. Of course, this takes a significant amount of time and leaves more room for error with each company your project passes through. When you hire a Design-Build firm like Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes, you work with just us. Our staff will work with you from the first concept of the idea through the completed installation, significantly simplifying the process of your total outdoor project This means fewer meetings required and more time saved. There is greater efficiency and less room for error when the same company is designing, creating the architectural plans, installing it, and managing all aspects.

Another great benefit to the design-build process is that your project is designed to your budget. With your budget discussed early in the process, your entire project is planned to fit within the parameters you create and have chosen before breaking ground.

In addition, our design fee is rolled into the total project cost. Because we create the design in-house, the cost is much less than if you were to hire a designer separately. There is also no question as to whether or not the design can actually be built.

So if you are thinking of adding that outdoor living oasis you have been dreaming about, hire just one company to manage your project - landscape to hardscape - beginning to end!

Friday, January 23, 2015

Why Build a Backyard Pond?

Are you thinking of adding a water feature to your yard? These projects are one of Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes' favorites to design and build! Their presence can add an entirely new dimension to your overall landscape design.

There is definitely something about the sight of water that is absolutely mesmerizing! Add a water feature to your yard or garden, and you have added a place to sit and simply enjoy the visual beauty of it right on your own property. Add colorful water plants and well-placed shrubs and flowers for a beautiful water garden oasis.

Depending on your taste, we can incorporate a water feature with or without a pond. If you have a pond and add fish, you are not simply adding a piece of garden decoration, you are adding a pet. Colorful koi fish can be amazing to watch as they provide an amazing display of color and shape. Our pondless water features provide sound and relaxation, without a pond to maintain, if that is more to your liking.

Add lights to your water feature so at dusk and night time, the visual pop is then is absolutely breathtaking! There's many lighting ideas to work with - colored lights, solar lights, and more.

Don't just limit your waterfall/pond placement to the backyard! We are also designing waterfalls to incorporate into front yard landscapes. Imagine driving up to your home to be welcomed with a gorgeous waterfall. Ideas are limitless!

With water features, there is so much you can do! Your waterfall can be the central focus of an outdoor entertainment area to gather around, or, it can sit off to the side so you have a more private place to relax. After a stressful day of work, there are few things more soothing than the sound of water bubbling and cascading over rocks.

Once you beautify your yard, you are going to want to spend more and more time in it. It will become the perfect place to go when you want to escape from the rest of the world - within steps of your own home. And of course, outdoor improvements also increases the curb appeal and value of your home. It's a win win situation!

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

In Search of Landscape / Hardscape Installers

If you have a solid background in construction, masonry and/or landscaping, come join our team as a landscape/hardscape tech! Call 412.319.7524 or email your resume to cmoretti@pghsw.com.


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Press Release January 19, 2015

Pittsburgh Stone and Waterscapes is pleased to announce that we have won Best of Houzz Customer Satisfaction again for 2015.

Houzz Announces “Best Of Houzz 2015” Winners
Annual Survey and Analysis of Community of Over 25 Million Monthly Users Reveals Top-Rated Home Remodeling Professionals and Design Trends

Houzz (www.houzz.com), the leading platform for home remodeling and design, yesterday announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2015, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from tile, stone and countertop pros to painters.

“Houzz connects people with the best home professional for their project by providing the only 360-degree view of a professional, from their portfolio, client reviews, awards and accreditations to their work style and expertise based on their participation in the Houzz community,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to join our community in recognizing the talented professionals on Houzz who are delivering incredible designs and delightful customer experiences.”

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Customer Service and Design. Customer Service honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers,” Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, showing the Houzz community their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

Houzz recently launched the Photographer Network (http://www.houzz.com/getPhotos) to provide industry professionals with access to top photographers at affordable prices, making it easy to showcase their work to the Houzz community. Consisting of more than 500 professional photographers in the U.S. and Canada on Houzz, the network provides special photography packages to first-time clients who are professionals on Houzz.

Monday, January 12, 2015

Are You Passionate About Working in the Landscape Industry?

If so, join our team at Pittsburgh Stone & Waterscapes!


We are a premier design and build firm specializing in innovative projects such as outdoor rooms including kitchens, fireplaces, patios, driveways, ponds, waterfalls, pools, landscaping, excavation and much more! With two million in projects last year, we are very excited about our growth and looking for hardworking individuals to grow with us and join our team! We currently have OFFICE AND FIELD EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE - Landscape Designers; Landscape Foreman; Landscape Technicians and Hardscape Technicians!

We offer medical benefits, retirement plans, paid vacation, end of retention year bonuses, and more! We provide hands-on training for our field employees. If you have a solid background in construction, masonry and/or landscaping, we provide the resources and training necessary to grow within our firm. Experienced candidates along with inexperienced individuals can take advantage of this opportunity!

The Landscape Designer (full-time, part-time, intern) should be fluent with Google Sketchup, plant identification and be able to report to the main office in Upper St. Clair daily.

Candidates for all field positions must have a valid PA driver's license and own transportation to and from work. They should be physically fit, have no existing medical problems, and be able to lift 85 lbs. continuously. Our hours are typically M-F, 6am-5pm, with some Saturdays if needed. *OUR REPORT TO SHOP LOCATION EACH DAY IS IN CECIL, PA.

The Landscape Foreman (full time) should possess at least 3 years experience in the landscape/hardscape construction field. The foreman will oversee installation of projects as well as fully participate in field installations along field installers, operate heavy equipment used on the job, and be responsible for mobile paperwork, periodic crew evaluations, receipt collections, etc.

Landscape and Hardscape Servicemen (full time) will need a basic foundation in landscaping, hardscaping, masonry and/or construction and have the ability to operate heavy equipment used on the job: dump truck, skid steer, excavator, trencher, tampers, carpentry tools as well as utilize and identify hand tools.

If you are interested in learning more about our company and the positions offered, please email your resume (or outline of your work experience and qualifications) to cmoretti@pghsw.com or simply call 412.319.7524.

Learn more about our company by visiting us on the web at www.pghsw.com.