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KIWV IV, \ \ ULABLK \ \ ITU \ ITK<>\ KD CKKDII 90DAVS SAME \S CASH ( H i l l K M O D I I - \ I -1 M IL \ I i s \ \ I \ ( »^ x j e & R e c o n d i t i o n e d Appl ianc A-l APPLIANCE Nile* A >cr \ i re o f » lcHcnr\ ( .<mnt \ . Inc . 815-338-2054 1320 S v^minarv ̂ood*U>i k, II. Pag* 28 Spring Home Living Thinking of moving? Add a deck instead By John Farina Copley News Service Because of difficult economic times and the new home market being what it is, more and more people are upgrading existing honr.es instead of moving to more expensive homes. More popular improvements include patios, upper decks, cantilevered decks over sloping terrain, water fountains, garden furniture and all of the other outdoor amenities that make for gracious outdoor living. Decks and patios are great for out­ door eating events, dancing and par­ ties. Randy Bates, owner of a landscape firm, says, "Business is the best it's ever been for us in the older home field. People can't afford the bucks for a new home." Money is definitely tight. Which means the home owner is more likely to build his own patio or deck with professional plans and a little advice. Hie cost of outdoor improvements depends on how grandiose the project, whether a contractor does it all or the home owner helps or the home owner does the complete job. Plans for wood deck or concrete- based patio arrangements can be purchased from landscape designers and materials purchased from lum­ beryards and retail outlets. And it is not impossible for the home owner to complete a modest outdoor living design over a period of several weekends with diligent, sustained effort, providing he or she has a»pen- sible plan. The cost of such an effort might be kept under $1,000. But an ornate development with features including lattice roofs, red­ wood decking, furniture, water foun­ tain, shrubbery, trees, fencing requiring substantial materials and the talent and labor of professional land­ scape architects ana craftsmen could cost in the range of $35,000. Concrete patios also vary in price, depending on materials used and the size of the project. Total cost rests on several factors. Will it include landscaping, lights and other special features? Price depends, too, on materials used, redwood being more expensive than some other woods. Do-it-yourselfers can bring those costs down considerably, as 40 percent of what a landscaping firm must charge for labor ana expertise, says Charlie Turner, manager of a land­ scape firm. Residents who are thinking about deck projects on their own would do well to purchase plans from an ar­ chitect or landscaping firm, says landscape firm Manager Vivian Akers. If the plans are simply general guidelines for the placement of the deck or patio and plants, the price could be as low as $350. For schematic diagrams wiih all building specifications included, prepare to pay about $2,000, again depending on how elaborate the project. Of course, the home owner with an artistic eye, a knowledge of plants and rather than rising only a few inches off a lenark for building might produce an the ground. For home owners who arrangement with a ect at a tremendous outdoor In charming savings. There are two reasons home owners think about creating outdoor living space-to make life more comfortable and to enhance the value of the home, "a real asset when the times comes to sell," says Akers. Water is an increasingly popular accompaniment to decks and patios, with the trend toward Jacuzzis and self-contained waterfalls and foun­ tains. For those desiring elaborate decks, they may choose to have them con­ toured, rather than square, and build on several levels with step approaches, want to use water sparingly and grass sparsely, rock-scaping is the answer. Tom Cullington, a landscape ar­ chitect, says the creation of outdoor living environments is an art, each project to be tailored to the particular physical requirements of the residence for best effect. "Much depends, too," he said, "on the home owner's personal taste, whether he wants a closed roof, one with a skylight, a glass-enclosed patio, lattice roof, fenced deck and so forth." "In any case, the deck should be designed to fit the back. We just don't build a square deck unless that's what the home owner wants." SEE US FOR YOUR NEW OR RECONDITIONED MAJOR HOME APPLIANCE NEEDS ROPER'S EASY-CARE EXTRAS! Model 1232 IN STOCK ONLY SAVE *60°° GAS: YOUR BEST ENERGY VALUE PAUL LOCKINGER RUSS BENTSEN CALL US FOR FAST DEPENDABLE SERVICE • 2 + 1 p i l o t l e s s electronic ignition • Easy-to-clean porcelain oven • Clock with four-hour timer • Wood-grain finish on glass back panel • Concealed oven vent • Lift-off cooktop with "Spill-Stop" edges • Removable burners • All-porcelain burner box • "Vue-Lite" oven window and interior light