Carpenter & Costin

Carpenter & Costin was established in Vermont in 2005 and remains locally owned by Russ Marsan and Matt Cataldo who take a personal interest in every client’s property needs. We specialize in enhancing outdoor living spaces and commercial landscape design and maintenance.  We offer a full range of year-round landscape management services from spring and fall clean-ups to lawn mowing and seasonal maintenance programs, and complete snow plowing and removal services.

Planting Annuals Early in May can be Risky in Vermont

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Beautiful stonewall and flowerbed

Now that Spring has really arrived and temperatures are reaching the 70’s, we are all getting that itch to see some budding greenery, grass and colorful flowers. Just realize that even though we’ve pulled out the t-shirts and shorts and put away the skis and heavy jackets, early May is still a bit risky for planting annuals that are susceptible to frost. As Spring clean-up kicks into high gear, we see many homeowners and businesses that are eager to get some flowers in the ground to create some long-awaited color around their properties.

Preventing Frost Heaves in Walkways and Driveways

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Frost Heave Ahead Warning Sign

As Spring finally comes around and the temperature begins to creep above freezing, we enter a period of repeated freeze-thaw cycles at night. When this occurs, you may start to notice frost heaves in your walkway, patio or driveway. What you are seeing is not unlike the frost heaves you experience driving your car. You know – when you see signs along the road that say “Frost Heave” and you’re wondering “Where?” And then, BOOM, you nearly hit your head on the roof of your car. THAT’S a frost heave. The solution is to prevent water from penetrating the surface. Ensure it drains away properly instead of sitting below and expanding enough to ruin your finished surfaces.

Carpenter & Costin Relocates to New Headquarters

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Carpenter & Costin Aerial View of new headquarters

Carpenter & Costin has relocated their company headquarters from North Main St. in Rutland to 84 Deere Lane on the Proctor/Pittsford town line just off Route 3. The Deere Lane property was previously the home of T&T Tractor. “Our team is very happy that we are now working out of our new space just in time for our Spring kick off,” said Russ Marsan, co-owner of Carpenter & Costin. “We were tightly crammed into our previous space on North Main St. due to the growth of our business over the past 12 years. This new space provides over 11,000 sq. ft. for our team and to service our growing fleet of property maintenance equipment.

Green Streets Challenge Middlebury

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People dancing downtown Middlebury

The possibilities seem endless when creative volunteers come together to plan and execute a family-friendly event in Middlebury Vermont. The effort was led by Come Alive Outside, the Better Middlebury Partnership and Carpenter & Costin. On a beautiful Wednesday afternoon in August, Carpenter & Costin rolled out six thousand square feet of fresh sod to carpet Middlebury’s Battell Bridge on Main Street, transforming into a barefoot-friendly block party for all ages. There was food, games and demonstrations throughout the event. While the music played, the adults danced and the children enjoyed each other, friends and families.

Green Streets Challenge Rutland

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Kids playing in street with foam toys

Carpenter & Costin and Come Alive Outside recently transformed Center Street in Rutland into an urban playground in a pretty creative way. We captured the process in a time-lapse video so you can see what it takes in just about two minutes. “We laid down 6,000 square feet of sod in the morning and then removed it in the evening thanks to a small army of volunteers who helped roll it up,” said Russ Marsan. “In between setting up and tearing down, Come Alive Outside and WonderFeet Kids Museum hosted many games and fun events for the kids to enjoy.”

Kids Come Alive Outside to Learn

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Sunflower Field

In April, Team Carpenter & Costin laid out a plan, tilled the soil and prepared several acres to ensure a successful growing season. Kids then gathered in June to plant a huge pumpkin patch and over an acre of sunflowers under the guidance of instructors and volunteers from RRMC. The growing ‘farm’ was then monitored and periodically watered to ensure it stayed healthy.
In the Fall, the kids came back together to harvest the pumpkins, test their skills in the sunflower maze and learn more about sunflowers and growing foods sustainably.

Russ Marsan Business Leader of the Year

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Russ Marsan Portrait
Russ Marsan named business leader of the year by Rutland Chamber Vermont Business Magazine: 9/18/2018 The Staff and Board of Directors of the Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce that Russ Marsan of Carpenter & Costin has been named the 2018 Chamber Business Leader of the Year.  ...

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