In Your Own Backyard

Moscarino Outdoor Creations can transform your backyard into a gorgeous, relaxing and private escape—okay, you can host some incredible parties, too.

By: Mimi Vanderhaven
Date: 04/30/2008
For Baby Boomers who grew up in the new suburbia of the 1950s, 60s and 70s, the backyard was a land of adventure. Surrounded by the relative safety of a chain link fence, kids enjoyed climbing trees, jumping rope, building forts, and playing games like tag, hide-and-seek, Red Rover and Mother May I.

But all backyards were essentially the same. There was the metal swing set, the charcoal grill and the obligatory concrete patio. If your parents lived on the edge, however, your backyard might have included a Slip-n-Slide or even a trampoline.

But today—after the better part of a half-century of hard work, sacrifice and relative affluence—Baby Boomers want something different in their backyards.

They want a resort.

“We help our clients transform their traditional backyards into gorgeous and functional outdoor living spaces,” explains Chas Moscarino, the creative, young founder of Moscarino Outdoor Creations. “These days, everyone wants to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible. We want resort living at home.”

Moscarino’s legendary designs go far beyond the 1950s concrete patio.

Imagine brick and stone walkways, retaining walls, waterfalls, ponds, fire pits, arbors, outdoor kitchens, hot tubs and more. Smell the flowers blooming all season because the plant selection was planned in advance. And see yourself relaxing daily because the entire design minimizes maintenance.

“We can create just about anything imaginable,” explains Chas, who started his business nine years ago to help pay for college. “But we begin the process by understanding who you are and how you plan to use your space.”

Chas, along with his brother Chris Moscarino, lead a creative team of designers who start by asking key questions. How often are you home? Do you have children or grandchildren? How many times a year do you entertain? How many guests do you typically have? Do you like to cook? Do you enjoy gardening or do you see it as a chore? Do you have pets?

“These and other questions give us a sense of the scope of the project,” Chas explains. “And by getting to know you, we can make creative and appropriate design recommendations you might not have thought of.”
In fact, Moscarino presents a number of different landscape ideas to help you decide on your final plan. You’re free to mix and match the plans to create the home resort perfect for you and your family.

“Our specialty is creativity,” Chas says. “Many of our clients say to us, ‘Wow! I can’t believe you guys came up with this.’ We love to hear that.”

During the design phase, you’ll discover that these guys value education and frankness. “We spend the time to educate our clients so they know exactly what the project is about,” explains Chris. We want them to know up front what we can and cannot do, and what designs are possible given the natural limitations of their property.

So when we present our designs and everyone gets excited, we can truly make the dream real.”

But you don’t have to make it real all at once, darling.

“That’s the beauty of having a long range master plan,” Chas says. “We can complete part of the project this year and add on as time and budgets allow. Over the years, you can create an outdoor living space that few could afford to build all at once.”

Since its 1999 launch, Moscarino Outdoor Creations has developed a strong reputation for quality. It tops the list of reasons why the company is one of the fastest growing small businesses in Northeast Ohio. But they are also known for giving clients more for their money. After all, the cost of a typical landscape renovation rivals the cost of a new car—and you want to get a good value.

“A good landscape design doesn’t cost; it saves,” Chas explains. “For example, proper grade and drainage is critical. It can save you big money over time. But costs are tricky. Sometimes it’s cheaper to add steps than it is to build a wall. Sometimes it’s not. It all depends on the unique nuances of your property.”

In addition to the he-man aspects of landscaping—like firing up the bulldozers and moving dirt—Moscarino also specializes in the soft details, like plant selection. They meticulously choose diverse plants that will thrive where they plant them (sun or shade) and that will provide appropriate color and texture all year. “We also consider things like shade, energy costs and privacy,” Chris adds.

When it comes to selecting a contractor, most homeowners are worried about the basics—quality work, getting done on time, and not overpaying. “We’ve heard horror stories about contractors disappearing for days or even weeks,” Chas says. “But we have a large staff and we track everything. Weather permitting, we’ll be working on your project practically every day until we’re done.”

Chas adds that conflicts between contractors and homeowners are usually rooted in poor communications. “If anything, we over-communicate,” he smiles. “We’re always accessible by office phone, cell phone and I check my email several times a day. We want you to know what we’re doing, but we’re also sensitive to the fact they you don’t want us to be an interference in your life.”

It goes without saying that Moscarino is bonded, insured, a BBB member, an official Unilock contractor and offers a thick ream of reference letters. But for your own peace of mind, ask to see them anyway.

Beyond designing and building stunning outdoor living spaces, Moscarino also performs commercial and residential lawn services, including spring clean-up, mulching and grass cutting. And no matter how big or small your property, Maintenance manager Ben Crawford personally checks every property at least monthly to make sure his staff is on top of things.

To find out more about Moscarino Outdoor Creations, visit the company website at www.CreateMyLandscape.com. You can also check their website to receive valuable tips about how to enhance the way you live—outdoors.

Visit www.CreateMyLandscape.com to get a head start on your project by filling out the online questionnaire. E-mails are welcome at Moclandscaping@gmail.com or call 440-236-9000.

Moscarino Outdoor Creations’ services include:

• Creative Landscape Design
& Installation

• Patios, Walkways & Retaining
Walls

• Lawn Maintenance

• Fertilization Programs

• Mulch bed weed program

• Aeration / De-thatching

• Spring / Fall Cleanup

• Outdoor Lighting

• Snow & Ice Removal

• Water Features / Fountains

• Horticultural Pruning & Trimming
of Shrubs

• Mulch / Sweet Peet Installation
& Deep Edging Packages

Email This Story To A Friend

Your Friend's Email Address:

Your Name:

Your Email Address: