FAQ

What makes The Rahn Companies different from my current landscape/contracting company?

It is our people! We are dedicated to hiring, training, and retaining the most professional people in the industry. We challenge every single one of our employees to exceed our customers’ expectations. We can customize a landscaping program or contracting project just for you to fit with your budget constraints and ideal outcome. Under no circumstances, no matter what the price, will we sacrifice quality.

Do you work in the winter?

Though the grass and trees are not growing as readily, for our maintenance crews it is “business as usual” to make sure that your property continues to look neat throughout the winter months. Our construction crews work, too—they can schedule certain types of projects for winter. We are able to retain our staff when other companies have to lay theirs off, which means we have the ability to take care of your landscape needs year-round.

Are you insured?

Yes. We carry far more insurance than most landscape companies to provide complete protection for our clients and to meet most municipal & federal bidding requirements.

Do you take credit cards?

Yes, we accept all major credit cards. We also accept electronic transfer and checks. Give us a call for assistance!

Who do I contact for any work?

The Rahn Companies is divided into three main divisions, landscape design/build, contracting and landscape maintenance, and each has a Division Manager. Our About Us page has a list of all the managers and who you can ask for depending upon your question or request. Or, feel free to request a quote on-line or email us at any time, we will make sure it gets to the right person for you.

What will your services cost? Are your services expensive?

We will take the time to determine a realistic price for the scope of work that you request. The cost for our work depends on your property and your unique specifications. Our goal is to give you value for your dollar–we will not provide you with services that are not needed, nor do we want to exclude services which are required by your landscape.

The Rahn Companies is known as being a large company; do you only do big projects?

We would not be in business for years, nor would we employ the large number of people that we do if we relied solely on large-scale projects. By having a small office staff and significant amount of equipment and workers, we can handle projects that range from installing a few shrubs in a residential home to maintaining a multi-acre commercial property. Because of the size of our company, we can often offer the best to everyone.

When will I be billed for your services?

Once you set up your landscape maintenance program, we will bill you every month. Other services are billed as the work is performed.

What’s the difference between concrete and cement?

These two terms are often used interchangeably, even by the experts, but there is a difference between them. Cement is just one part/component of concrete. Concrete itself is a combination of cement, sand, and crushed stone or gravel.

When you combine these components and add water, a process known as hydration will take place, binding everything together to form the rock-like substance that we know as concrete. This process can continue for many years; this means that concrete will actually get stronger with age.

Are there different types of concrete out there?

The answer is yes, although it might not be quite in the way you might expect. The differences found in concrete doesn’t come about as a result of using different components or ingredients but are as a result of using different ratios of the same components. The ratios used will differ based on the intended end use of the concrete.

The proportions of your mixture will determine the durability, strength, porousness, smoothness, and malleability of your concrete. You could even ask for an environmentally-friendly concrete blend that will be porous enough to allow water to seep through it, thereby allowing it to get back into the soil instead of running off into the sewer and drainage lines.

Do I need the services of a concrete contractor when dealing with a large concrete job?

The answer, even if we do say so ourselves, is probably a big YES. While we can admire the self-sufficiency of people willing to do things themselves, the fact is that working with concrete is a complex undertaking. You will need a deep understanding of concreting practices to place, compact, strike-off, level, and finish your concrete. All this while keeping in mind the fact that concrete requires keen timing and a good sense of the allowances you need to make for weather conditions in various places.

Your best shot at success is to either have someone experienced to lend a helping hand or hire the services of a professional concrete contractor.

Will my concrete crack? Does it mean my structure is weak?

While seeing cracks in your concrete can be a bit unnerving, it usually isn’t something you need to worry about. Concrete will occasionally crack, especially in areas with extreme cold/warm weather. The way concrete contractors minimize this effect is by putting in control cuts or joints in the concrete mass so that any stress on the concrete is absorbed and dissipated without stressing the concrete itself. It’s the same thing engineers do with steel bridges, where they leave a bit of a gap between pieces to allow for heat expansion.

Any cracks you might notice shouldn’t immediately set off alarm bells. They are usually only surface cracks and don’t indicate any underlying weakness in your structure. However, should you notice that the two sides of your structure bordering the crack you see are moving in opposite directions to one another, you should have your contractor or an engineer come in and have a closer look.

Why should I use concrete for my driveway and parking lot when asphalt is a cheaper option?

While it’s true that asphalt will initially cost you less than concrete, the difference in price will be more than made up over the lifespan of your lot. Quality concrete can give you over 30 years of service with minimal maintenance. Asphalt, on the other hand, requires regular application of seal coating to prevent cracking as it ages and deals with the elements, and this will be even more frequent if you experience a lot of vehicle traffic. When you weigh the cost of buying sealers plus the shorter lifespan of asphalt against the long life and maintenance-free nature of concrete, concrete wins out big in the long run.

Does concrete always have to be grey? Do I have options here?

You have a lot of options when it comes to the color of concrete you would like. There is an almost unlimited array of finishes you can choose from for your concrete, it’s all up to you. Grey concrete tends to be the most cost-effective which is why most customers opt for it.

How difficult is it to remove stains from concrete?

For one thing, it isn’t easy to stain concrete under normal circumstances. There are, however, certain chemicals and agents such as acid and rust that can leave a stain on the surface of your concrete should they come into contact with it. Depending on the severity and stubbornness of the stain, there are various stain-removal options you can look into such as grinding, scabbing, shot-blasting, scouring, and planning. These options, referred to as dry methods, are used for mainly entrenched stains.

We recommend sealer to protect your concrete from staining and other environmental damages. This sealer allows for spills to be easily washed off before staining.

How do I choose a landscape designer?

Ask Questions such as:

• Education, experience, creativity, and compatibility.
• Ask for references
• Ask about photos, designs/plans from a portfolio or website.

What is your design process?

After our initial site meeting and agreement to work together, we begin our efforts by asking for your detailed preferences and by investigating your site.

Site research includes locating and identifying existing plant material, locating existing elements of the house (windows, doors, A/C condensers, etc.), and photographing the site. Once the research is done, we reference this information as we explore ideas and illustrate conceptual landscape designs that address your goals in different ways. The concepts and budgets are reviewed with you to gain your input and to have your full involvement in developing the final landscape plan and proposal for the landscape of your dreams.

What landscape elements do you design and build?

We can help you design something as simple as an elegant front walk to a new patio to a complete comprehensive site development including driveway, site grading and drainage, detailed gardens, entry and site walks, outdoor living areas, outdoor kitchens and patios, and beautiful plantings.

How long does a design take?

Usually about 10 days to 2 weeks, depending upon the time of year and the size and complexity of the design. A good design must consider several factors: clients desires, use of the property, views, drainage, wind, and topography. As well as being creative, artistic, and functional, our designs need to be practical and affordable. When you take into consideration all these elements, it takes some time to create a unique, quality design.

What are the steps involved in a typical landscape design process?

Every project follows three major stages when creating a beautiful, long term successful landscape: design, installation, and maintenance. Each stage is important, and we have proven methods and experienced team members to make each part of your project an enjoyable experience and a beautiful result.

Why would I need an irrigation system?

A properly designed irrigation system is insurance for your landscape investment. It efficiently delivers adequate water to the plant material–allowing the plants and your entire property to look its best.

What is the best time of year for landscape installation?

It is said that spring and fall are the best times of year for the installation of plant material. Hardscapes (i.e., retaining walls, water features, etc.) can be installed and designs can be created anytime of the year. No matter what season, we would love to hear from you!

What is the difference between annual and perennial?

Perennial plants are those that grow and bloom in the spring, summer, or fall, then go dormant for the winter months. The benefit of perennials is that they return year after year, often putting on a better show with each new season. Annuals, on the other hand, are plants grown for their “instant” impact, usually producing a single-season period of bloom. There are cool season annuals and warm season annuals–they should be planted accordingly.

When will you plant my new annual flowerbeds?

Typically, we plant annuals around the first of May and at the first of November; the actual date depends solely on the weather. For summer flowers the weather needs to warm up; a frost (which is different than a freeze) can kill summer flowers. For pansies and other winter annuals, the weather needs to cool down. Warm weather in the fall will make pansies “stretch” and will leave them more susceptible to damage from cold weather.

How easy is it to phase a project?

Unlike major home remodeling, the landscape of your dreams can be installed one small phase at a time. Understanding the desired phasing helps make sure the installation is done in the most cost-effective manner. Your project team will work with you to make sure you create the most appropriate phased landscape installation.

What is the purpose of the geo-textile fabric under the paver base?

The fabric adds strength and does not allow the aggregate to migrate into the subsoil.

Why do you use polymeric sand instead of regular sand?

Polymeric sand has several benefits over regular sand. Polymeric sand deters weed establishment, and erosion, resists ant burrowing and allows joint movement during changes of weather.

Can I have any size fire pit, and can it be located anywhere on my property?

Our design staff can design your fire pit project, but we recommend reaching out to the township for your property about the restrictions of having a fire pit.

What are the benefits of choosing hydroseeding for my property?

1. Hydroseeded lawns come up faster. The contact of the seed with water will trigger the germination cycle. We often hear of grass up in 3 to 5 days.

2. Hydroseeding has an attractive green appearance that looks far better than lawns dry seeded and covered with straw mulch.

3. Unlike straw that is often used as a protective cover for a newly seeded area, hydroseeding mulch has NO weed seed. Straw is loaded with weed seed.

4. Hydroseeding allows the custom tailoring of the proper seed for your job. It is not uncommon to use two or even three seeds custom spraying the right seed for different areas on the lawn or job. Many custom hydroseeding contractors will use one seed for shady areas, one for high traffic areas, and one to make the front lawn a showpiece.

5. Hydroseeding mulch adds to the humus content of a lawn as it decomposes. The bacterial action of straw will leach nitrogen from the soil as it decomposes.

How often should I have my lawn cut?

We schedule our lawn service weekly to help maintain a well-manicured professional looking lawn. We will always schedule your lawn service for the same day each week; however, weather may delay our crews and we may need to adjust the schedule accordingly.

What if it rains on my scheduled maintenance day?

In the event of a rain day, we determine if our operations will be harmful to your landscape (i.e. create ruts, tracking of mud, etc.). If we decide we may cause harm, then we will not perform maintenance that day and schedule you the next possible day. This also applies to holidays.

What is included in the maintenance program?

Full service maintenance includes mowing and trimming of all turf areas, removal of grass clippings as needed, blowing of all hard surfaces, removal of leaves and other debris from turf area, and removal and clean up of weeds, leaves and debris in bed areas. Our maintenance program can be tailored to your needs.

Do you have a pesticide license?

Yes, we have both Applicators and Operators licenses from the state. They inspect our offices every year.

Why is professional maintenance important?

You probably wouldn’t allow your home to go without proper care and maintenance as it would deteriorate quickly and lose value. The same applies to your landscape. You have made a significant investment in your landscaping and it should be properly cared for through a professional turf and plant health care program designed to protect that investment and ensure a healthier and more enduring landscape.

Do the plants need care after they are installed?

Yes, proper care for plants after installation include pruning, fertilizing, watering and disease control. These are necessary for healthy, long-lasting plants.

Why should I install Mulch?

Mulch is valuable for the tree and shrubs health care because it insulates the soil helping to provide a buffer from heat and cold temperatures, retains water helping to keep the roots moist, keeps weeds out to help prevent root competition, prevents soil compaction and reduces lawn mower damage.

What is a typical spring cleanup?

We tailor our cleanup services to each property’s needs and budget. The following services can be performed during a spring cleanup:

• Remove all weeds, leaves, and debris from all landscape beds
• Re-edge all landscape bed lines
• Prune any winter damage from ornamental plant material
• Prune all ornamental plant material as needed
• Detail all perennial plant material as needed for spring season
• Apply fertilizer to all plant material
• Apply pre-emergent weed to control to all landscape beds
• Install Mulch
• Remove all debris from site
  

Why do you aerate and seed in the fall as opposed to in the spring?

The cold of the winter tends to be milder than the heat of summer. By aerating and seeding in the fall the grass seed is allowed to establish healthy roots before being subjected to the stresses of heat and drought common to our summers.

I am not sure what is wrong with my lawn, but I don’t like how it looks. Can you help me?

Yes, our professionals will begin by performing a free evaluation and are able to conduct a soil analysis to gauge the current condition of your lawn inspecting for active fungus or lawn pests. Our fertilization program is effective at controlling the pest and weed problems and helping the health of your lawn turn around quickly.

I have crabgrass and weeds in my lawn every summer. What can I do to stop this?

A good lawn fertilization program can prevent and treat crabgrass and many other broad-leaf weeds when applied correctly. Our program is target specific for the weed growth as per time of year to help prevent seed germination. A healthy thick lawn is the key to help with weed prevention.

Why should I have my grass clipping mulched back into my lawn?

Returning the clippings to the lawn help to return the lawns nutrients back into the soil.

Will your large mowers or equipment harm the lawn?

No, our equipment will not harm your lawn. In fact, our equipment will leave your lawn with the well-manicured professional appearance you are looking for and can be proud of.

Do you perform residential snow removal?

No, we only offer commercial snow plowing.

Will rock salt kill my grass?

Rock salt will change the Ph of your soil and burn your turf. If exposed often and in heavy enough quantities, rock salt can burn out your turf. There are strains of turf grass that we offer that are resistant to salt burn.

What happens if you damage my lawn during snow season?

If our snow plow trucks damage your lawn during plowing operations, we will repair our damage in the spring. Our managers inspect every property in the spring and damage is automatically scheduled for repair.

What region do you service?

We serve Southern New Jersey, specifically Burlington County, Camden County, Cumberland County & Gloucester County.

How do you communicate with your customers about snow services?

We use our proprietary online webtool to send email alerts about forecasted snow events before and after to keep customers informed. Upon signing your snow removal contract, an on-site contact person’s information will be required in order to receive this information.

When does The Rahn Companies make the decision to deploy its crews?

Our managers will inspect high risk sites based on weather predictions before and at the start of expected snow fall, allowing us to accurately deploy our crews so that we stay ahead of the expected storms.

Can you plow my parking lot before our business opens in the morning?

Yes, The Rahn Companies will assign a crew to your site that will meet any time requirements you might have for snowfall accumulations that have occurred during the evening and overnight hours.

What do you do if there is snowfall during the day while businesses are open?

After making sure that we provide services in a safe manner, our top priority during daytime snow events is to keep traffic moving through parking lots and driveways by keeping the main lanes open and main sidewalk entrances cleared. Once businesses are closed, our crews are re-deployed to clear the entire property.

Do you provide shoveling services for sidewalks?

Yes, we can provide these services for sidewalks.

Do you have equipment to haul snow in the event that we need it?

Yes, we have the equipment and capability to either relocate snow on-site or to haul snow off-site.

Do you service HOAs or multi-family properties?

Yes, we have the staff and equipment that make it possible to provide snow services to Home Owner Associations or multi-family residences.