Roselee- they have more energy than experience at DIY especially when it comes to landscaping. I know I did projects 10 or 15 years ago that i wouldn't think twice about hiring done today- mostly because I didn't realize what I was getting myself in to. But they've just finished some other projects that had to be hired out and are trying to do things that they can when it comes to the yard. I just don't want them to put a lot of sweat equity into this, and not have it look like they want at the end. Good point about the sprinklers. I wonder if they could be capped off somehow for now, but when they have a final layout maybe the water access lines could be converted to drip irrigation. Hmmm. Lynn Marie- I'm not sure you can call the mountain laurel healthy. It has a weird shape. I didn't include this picture initially because the lighting is horrible, but it shows a different angle for the mountain laurel. The trunk comes up at about 45 degrees from the ground and then 2 or three much smaller trunks shoot off straight up. It almost looks like someone tried cutting it down years ago, then it came back. Or maybe someone backed into it getting out of the driveway- it's pretty close to it. I guess you could limb it up some, but it would bug me if I was trying to back out. It's weird because the rest of the trees have been pruned and shaped pretty well You guys have made some great suggestions. Appreciate you looking it over and posting your thoughts. Thanks- Lisa

The shrubs that block sight lines to the front door need to be removed. Can you add photos? The one you have is a good overview, but doesn’t give enough detail. Stand about 30’ straight out from the front door and turn your body so you are facing the left property line. Take a series of photos from the same place by rotating your body to create a set of slightly overlapping photos that span from the left property line to the right property line. We need to be able to see location of first floor windows, existing beds, walkways, front entry, etc.

When was the house built and in what state? Did you later create the basement bedrooms with a building permit? What year were they added? If the windows were legal when the bedrooms were created, they are still legal. I've not heard of a sill height requirement greater than 44". That requirement goes back to the mid 80's. Passage for emergency escape and rescue through another space can be difficult. Show a diagram with rough dimensions. Remember, this bedroom window requirement is not only for emergency escape but recuse by the fire department and they like to enter the bedroom directly. Be aware that the minimum opening requirement for the lowest level is smaller (usually 5 s.f. instead of 5.7 s.f. but check for local amendments).

I think split level/split foyer houses look better if the brick and siding colors are very close, so you're already there with the siding color. If it's not quite right I can't really tell from the pictures. That's something you have to judge in person. If the siding was darker it would make the house look top heavy and emphasize the different finishes. For me this isn't desirable, but maybe others like it. As the other commenters have said, the shutters are unnecessary and need to go. The garage doors could be darker, not white, and windows in garage doors always look better. An imitation natural wood color or something leaning brown would look nice with the brick and siding.