Let us help you embrace the new

I am a child of the eighties, growing up with "hair bands" like Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe, shredded jeans and yellow kitchen appliances. The invention of the VCR was amazing, and everyone had a Walkman. I even had multi-colored striped shag carpeting in my basement! That’s where I would play my Atari while drinking Yoo-hoo.

There are many things I like to reminisce about that now seem totally ridiculous. They say what goes around comes around, and what once was old is new again - but I believe some things should stay in the past. So... I have been amazed at how many orders for the “old stuff” keep coming in!

Now some of these older products have been around for a long, long time. They are simple to install, reasonably priced and readily available. Many companies make these products their “go to” choice. But as times change, so do customer preferences. Cost and durability is still important, but today's customer wants to hear about cutting edge, stylish, eco-friendly products.

On trend right now are the larger formatted paving stones, and most of our vendors have several varieties and styles to choose from. These types of pavers install much faster than your traditional smaller-stoned styles. Finding a reliable source should not be an issue and the cost will not be unreasonable.

Speaking of new and shiny, when was the last time you installed a halogen light bulb for a path light or flood? The days of needing a transformer the size of a Chevette have long since passed. You would be amazed at how many lights you can put on a 200 watt transformer and still have room for expansion - if you use LEDs. The most common complaint I hear about LEDs is the price of a bulb. Well, you are correct, they do cost more than incandescent bulbs. But consider this: the average size of a 900 watt transformer is the size of a 24pk of Coke, and will run you upwards of $450. A 200 watt transformer is the size of a box of tissues and is more like $100. Then factor in how much the homeowner will save in electricity and the choice is clear.

Many of us at Christensen’s are still children at heart. We like the “new” and get excited to learn what, when, how, and why they do what they do. We got guys that love new trees and shrubs, we got the Cap’n who gets exuberant over a light fixture, and I love to play with concrete Legos. We can help you become familiar with what’s trending, and be comfortable with the new. Let us collectively share our excitement with you to inspire you in new directions.