People have been crafting beautiful outdoor spaces since humans moved from hunter-gatherer groups to permanent agricultural settlements. Many of the tools for creating and maintaining those spaces have changed very little over thousands of years. With industrialization came new technology for sculpting the land and carving masonry, and electricity only made those tools more efficient. It only stands to reason then that digital technology would affect how people shape their outdoor surroundings. While you may prefer classic methods of the trade, smart devices have a lot to offer in terms of automation and streamlining the work that goes into creating and maintaining a backyard oasis.
Smart Tech For Maintaining an Outdoor Space
For homeowners looking to automate some of their backyard maintenance, there is plenty of tech to save their backs and keep their outdoor spaces thriving. Whether they want to automate their lawn care or program their outdoor lights, there are plenty of cutting-edge options to increase the appeal of an outdoor space and make it feel even more modern.
Most people are familiar with robot vacuum cleaners puttering around the house sucking up dust and docking themselves when they’re done. Robot lawnmowers are similar, but instead of sweeping carpet and hardwood, they cut the grass. They can be programmed to avoid garden beds and trees while running on a quiet battery-powered motor. For homeowners concerned about maintaining their lawn once beautiful hardscapes have been installed, smart lawnmowers are an excellent solution to ease the stress of keeping their yard thriving.
Finding time to care for a garden can be challenging, especially with multiple beds containing plants that need varying amounts of water. Smart hose faucets allow homeowners to program times for drip hoses and sprinklers to run, all remotely from their mobile device. Being able to adjust watering times will free up their time and allow the homeowner to account for unexpected weather changes.
You should be able to enjoy your patio at all hours, whether or not the sun is up. This makes lighting such an important aspect of outdoor living, and choosing the right technology to illuminate your hardscape is important. Tru-scapes’ hardscape lighting transforms any outdoor space into the perfect place for nighttime gatherings. Their color-changing LEDs can be operated via smart device, allowing for a variety of moods depending on the evening. Smart tech is incredibly versatile, providing convenient solutions for regulating everything from cleaning the pool to security systems.
Landscaping Tech for the Contractor
Before an outdoor space can be maintained, it has to be built. While trends in hardscaping constantly evolve, so too does the technology to help masterful contractors create breathtaking backyard paradises.
Drones are used in many industries for their relatively low cost and versatility in the field. They provide an easy and safe way for landscapers to survey a property at the start of a project. This can help with the early stages of design, as well as monitor for irregularities in the terrain and drainage issues. During the installation you can track progress, and once it’s finished capture video and images of the project for promotional purposes.
Tape measures and measuring wheels are tried and true tools for mapping out a space during the design process, but smart tech can automate some of the accompanying calculations and get more accurate readings. Motion-based measuring devices like Moasure can map out irregular perimeters as you circle the property. Because it connects to your mobile device, it simultaneously generates a drawing of the space with measurements as you record. This streamlines the design process and provides sharp measurements to include in your mockup.
Once you have the dimensions for your project, you need to draw up a design to show the homeowner. Belgard offers their contractors access to the Belgard Design Studio, a 3D rendering software with quality graphics for mapping out a project. Design Studio is an amazing tool for both the contractor and homeowner, helping with layout, features, material selection, ordering and improved communication. This incredible asset helps you and your customer envision their outdoor oasis before a shovel ever touches the ground.
Tech for Small Companies
Technology isn’t just for building outdoor spaces, it can also help you maintain your small business. Most hardscaping companies are comparably small-scale, and the administrative work can get in the way of laying pavers and designing dream yards. Digital tools like Trainual can streamline and automate a lot of the clerical work saving you time and labor costs. Onboarding, training and delegation can be templatized and done remotely to free you up to focus on creating the next outdoor oasis for your client.
Join our Contractor Club to access even more resources like the Belgard Design Studio. Head to the Contractor Club site or talk to your sales rep to sign up today!