We Care Construction & Landscaping LLC

by President, Javier Rojas

Bring the beauty and sounds of water to your home with a custom design waterfall or pond. Water gardens are beautiful, relaxing and healthy.  The sounds of flowing water can reduce day–to-day stress by its relaxing sounds, and may promote good health.

Waterfalls and ponds complement and enhance the landscape, fitting into the surrounding scheme when placed where they look natural. They should also complement your ideas of using space.

Water gardens, ponds and waterfall landscaping have changed in the last few years. No longer just for the wealthy, a water garden can be built just about anywhere. The magic of waterfalls and ponds captivate the beholder, whether it is peaceful reflective pool or a rushing waterfall. Water pond enhances the garden design, home architecture as well as your lifestyle.

Water Gardens offer something for everyone: They bring many joys and an oasis of tranquility to which you can retreat from the stress of everyday life:  The refreshing sound of moving water to wash away the worries of the day: A center of attraction for people of all ages: The visual excitement of spilling, cascading, rippling and sparkling water: The dance of nature among plants, fish, and other wildlife and the magical presence of water draws you from the inside out.

You can place a water garden almost anywhere: in a large landscaped area or in a small, urban backyard. However for the most enjoyment you must pick out the right sight. Your site conditions including slope, soil, sun, shade and wind. Do you plan to have Koi, goldfish or just plant life?

A carefully constructed waterfall or koi pond could increase your property’s resale value. Depending on the design, you can use a waterfall or pond to resolve a landscaping problem. Such as an uninteresting or sloping site, tuning it into a decorative asset.  Your design might help you build on top of soil that retains water or won’t support much plant life other then rocks or weeds.

Water gardens are popular because they transform an ordinary garden into a delightful romantic retreat. Choose from a wealth of possibilities, from a small simple garden pond, to a larger koi pond or cascading waterfall.

Despite all the compelling reasons to make the dive into water gardening, some people hesitate. Construction can be intimidating and may discourage many people.  We Care Landscaping provides you with many ideas for the homeowner  who just want to enjoy the sights and sounds of their water-landscaping project.  We Care installs all sizes and shapes of waterfalls, ponds, and poolscaping.

We Care Constuction & Landscaping LLC

By  President, Javier Rojas

610-588-0803

Before remodeling your home, think of what YOU really want, need and afford.

Better Homes and Gardens, 2004 magazine surveyed nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Specifically, found that people want indoor/outdoor livability, technological innovations, flexibility (design should easily adapt to changing family needs), and a kitchen-centric focus.

 Homes built in the '30s to late '50s, had kitchens that where segregated into a small corner with a small dining area off it. Many have a living room with no kitchen access except through a small doorway. People now want a larger kitchen and the ability to see one another.  By opening up one or two walls can give you the openness you desire with minimal cost.

Imagine making your unfinished basement...the favorite room in your home! You can add a wine cellar, playroom, poolroom, wet bar, entertainment center, or an office.  You can also add a mother-in-law room. There's no faster, easier way to expand your living space than with a finished basement.

If you manage the costs well, it is very reasonable to expect that the value of these improvements add to your homes re-sale value.

Count your money. Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Of course the more high end design you want the more the cost. Just by finishing your basement or garage with sheetrock and trim can improve the value of your home. Find out how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns.

Realtor Magazine, reported in 2005, the national average cost for a major kitchen remodeling on a 200-square-foot kitchen with everything new, including adding an island, sky lights and all the ‘dream’ amenities was $45,860.

A major basement-remodeling job, including an entertainment area with wet bar, full bath, auxiliary room, tile, recessed lighting and insulated walls, national average cost was $49,988.  Due to the rising gas prices everything has increased in 2008.

An advantage of remodeling is you most likely will end up with a home that fits your needs. If you move you may have to compromise on such items as the neighborhood, new schools, the yard, the floor plan, and the list goes on and on. Not to mention the new home may have a lot of problems, leading to more costs. Do your research first, then you can enjoy your ‘almost’ new home.

      We Care Construction & Landscaping LLC

'The Animal Friendly Landscaper'

Poisonous Flowers & Plants Commonly

Found Around Your Home

610-588-0803(PA)   Cell 201-919-5907 (NJ)

Many children & pets are poisoned each year and many die from these beautiful Killers in disguise!

We Care Pet Facts

These plants and flowers only represent a partial list of the most common variety of flowers and plants found in and around the home.

Dogs should be kept off the grass if you treated the lawn with chemicals. Read and follow the label directions carefully. Don’t have your dog out where the exterminator has sprayed until after a rain.

It is worth noting that dogs often vomit when chewing on plants. This probably does not represent poisoning or any dangerous exposure. Sporadic vomiting without any other sighs of illness is rarely a cause for concern, whether associated with plant ingestion or not. The best advice is to contact your veterinarian.

In many homes a bathroom is a place of peace and relaxation, a sanctuary of the household madness.

Before remodeling your home, think of what YOU really want, need and afford, plus the space available. If you don’t need or use a bathtub, then purchase a shower unit with accessories like, double showerheads, or pulsating body sprays.

Installation of bathtubs must be addressed before the tub is purchased and delivered, if you don’t, you may need to send it back.  The standard tub measuring five feet long by 30 inches wide may not be difficult to get up a flight of stairs. However, you may have problems and additional cost when installing a luxury- soaking tub or whirlpool. In some cases, windows are removed and the tub is hoisted up through the opening. Stairs will also pose a problem if your tub comes with a built-in enclosure. Look for multi-piece units if you want the tub and combined shower units.

Bathroom floors are built to bear the weight of a standard bathtub and today's custom homes will accommodate most luxury tubs, however, older homes may need to add floor joists required for reinforcement.

Before you purchase a toilet, try it out. Yes, at the store, sit on it. You typically try out a bed, or a sofa before you purchase it. Think about it, you sit on a toilet everyday. You need to be comfortable. Some toilets just plain hurt when you sit on them.

If you plan to sell your home, a remodeled bathroom can increase the value of your home- a great selling feature. For example, Realtor Magazine 2004 study, stated in the Philadelphia area, the average midrange remodeled bathroom cost  $12,487, and increased the value of the home, by $14,362 a 118% percent. An upscale bathroom average cost was $25,941 and increased the value of the home $27,900 a 104% increase. Yes, costs have risen since 2004, but the value of your home will still increase.

We Care Landscaping & Construction LLC

The Animal Friendly Landscaper

Javier Rojas, President

201-919-5907- 610-588-0803

To continually enjoy the rewards for years to come, you need to invest a little time up front.  Gardening can be hazardous to both small children and your dog’s health. Spring is a wonderland of unique smells, textures and colors that catch the attention of people and animals.

Before you begin gardening this season, use a little common sense and planning to insure a beautiful garden and happy, healthy children and pets.

Chemicals that are fatal

Many homeowners enhance the beauty of their lawns with chemicals that can harm their dogs, cats and possibly small children. This sounds easy, but we forget about the pets and kids.  We randomly leave the children and pets run all over, to help out ‘mom and dad’ while they are cleaning the lawn. We leave the chemical bottles on the porch, in the open garage or outside. We are human, we forget. However, this becomes fun time for pets and kids. Just remember, everything can go into the mouths of children, puppies, kittens and larger dogs and cats.

Be careful to store these chemicals out of the way and confine your pet and small children somewhere safe while apply them. Then lock the chemicals away or throw the bottle away.  It is best to allow at least a day after rain, or morning dew to soak the chemicals into the ground to prevent possible danger.

Always make sure you read labels before using any products on your lawn or in your garden. Keep the bottle and receipt for at least three weeks just in case your pet gets sick.  We suggest that if your pet or children does play in the area where you sprayed any chemical, wipe their lips- not inside of the mouth), hands and or paws, with the Clorox hand wipes.  Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens and children place everything in their mouths and lick their fingers or paws.

Insecticides: Read the label.  The label should state, animal friendly or cautions the buyer to keep pets away. Be sure that the product is designed to kill bugs, and doesn’t harm your pet. 

Herbicides and fertilizer: Usually, these aren’t as harmful once spread on the lawn and you don’t allow pets or children play for at least one full day.

Baits: Baits that kills rodents are usually highly toxic, containing strychinine (a very poisonous alkaloid) or one of a variety of substances that prevent blood from clotting. Even snail and slug gaits used in many gardens can cause seizures and fatal tremors on dogs.

Citronella Candles:  These candles keep bugs away when you have picnics or outdoor barbeques. Place them out of reach when not in use. The bugs stay away when lit, but the dogs love the smell when not burning and can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Mulch: The toxins of a garden can be deadly to your pet. DO NOT have your  child or pet play in new mulch. Wait for at least one week. If the mulch is smoldering, or has gases, keep your pet away. The gases get into the pets lungs and can be fatal and most cases cause death. Most mulch is safe after they have been on the property for at least a week.

Never use the chocolate mulch around pets. It is made of cocoa beans, which is highly toxic to animals. If your dog ingests a lot, it can cause chocolate toxicity. If you must purchase it, wait until the chocolate sent is gone from it before spreading the mulch. Consumption of mulch can also cause stomach and intestinal blockages. 

If you dog does ingest any of these, contact your vet right away.

Landscaping Pet & Children Tips:

Erect fences around ponds or pools. By law you must have a fence around a pool.

• Avoid materials that can entangle your dog.
• Confine your children and pets indoor when you mow the lawn. The noise may excite the pets and the machinery can turn sticks or stones into dangerous projectiles
• Consider a motion detector sprinkler. It will teach your dog (but not your children- they love it) to keep out of certain areas of the yard and is not harmful.

• Store your garden tools out of your children and pets reach immediately after using them so no child, person or pet is injured.