Snapdragon Notice Board

It may seem to be growing darker and colder as the days go by, but here at Snapdragon Landscapes we’re already hard at work planning for next season.

As the days shorten our landscaping teams get to relax a little, but that’s no reason to be so kind to the design studio. With next season’s job book already filling up there is no better time to start planning your garden, even if we cannot get on to it to begin the groundworks for a short while. So please use these long nights to sketch out your perfect garden, then pick up the phone and let us take the strain.

As an extra incentive, all design work undertaken in January and February receives a 15% discount. Call John on 07747 722258 for more details.

Unfortunatley the standard rate of VAT returns to 17.5% on the 1st of January 2010, so to take advantage of the current 15% level and book us early. Unfortunatley all works undertaken from January onwards will require the charging of VAT at the full 17.5% rate, any previous costs calculated using a 15% rate will be re-worked with an additional 2.5%.

The long awaited completion of one of our latest projects occurred last week with fitting of final fixtures to our first eco-friendly timber cabin. Built using reclaimed and sustainably sourced timbers the nick named “Hobbit House” was designed as a simple post and crossbeam sub-structure under a single pitch green roof. The wall and ceiling cavities were filled with a recycled plastic insulation to improve thermal properties. The inclusion of a small wood burning stove should help to keep the winter chill at bay using timber coppiced on site. The design of the structure made for a pleasant return to some tradditional construction techniques that ensured the entire process was immensley rewarding for both client and contractors.

We have recently become members of the Natural Paving Products (UK) LTD Approved Installer scheme.

Snapdragon has been consistently using Natural Paving Products since we first discovered them, around 4 years ago, because of their uniformity and high quality finishes. Their products are further backed up by a friendly and very informative sales office who have been a pleasure to work with.

Natural Paving representatives have made quite alot of vistits to us inthe past year, showing us new product samples and having a sneaky glance at some of the work we’ve been completing with their products. After seeing our projects were completed to a suitably high sstandard they decided to put us on thier reccommendation list, the Approved Installer Scheme.

One of our most recent projects in Leicestershire required th euse of a Highly durable, high quality deck board. The answer was ECODEK, composite decking timber that looks just like hardwood, in the right colour pallette, but is made out of plastic milk bottle tops and recycled wood chip! This innovative new decking product was as easy to use as normal softwood decking if not slighty easier. It also had an added incentive for us to use as ECODEK is a partially recycled product helping us as a company to reduce our carbon footprint.

For further information please visit the ECODEK website at www.ecodek.co.uk.

One day we recieved a phonecall from a leading high street  brand called GANT. At first we thought they might have got the wrong number but as it turned out they were looking for a company that would be able to design and construct an indoor pavement or “sidewalk.” It was quite a task as the project was not something we had ever considered. Mainly due to the 3rd floor office location and requirement for a night time installation. But hey we like a challenge so in we went!

Once completed we were praised for our clean efficient and “no hassle” way of working as we were able to keep dust and dirt to an absolute minimum. The finished sidewalk looked great especially once a full scale urban backdrop was placed behind on the wall and several very fashionably dressed mankins had been placed in situ. Overal a very convincing final product, although we did have to pop back several months later to rip it up and cart it back down the stairs.

Introducing a new range of cubic structures to satisfy everyone’s cravings for that little bit more space.

Currently under development are our long awaited concept structures. Built in a modular manner to keep costs down and increase versatility, these structures look set to become the new designer sheds for 2007. Whether you are after a hidden garden retreat, that extra little bit of office space, or a kids play house that blends effortlessly with today’s contemporary garden themes look no further than Cubic. For full details please get in touch.

Ever since some friends started to take notice of the oak furniture we had in our studio, Matt and myself seem to have been spending more and more dark evenings and rainy days making mighty bits of oak that little bit smaller and much smoother.

We have decided to test the water and make a few more items on a more formal basis so that you guys can have the chance to rest your feet or stand a lamp on our range of individually made bespoke oak furniture that can be finished for internal or external use.

For our full range of of products please contact John (on 07747 722258) for details, Also as each piece is individually made to order, any specific dimensions or designs that you may have are not a problem.