• WHY HIRE A CERTIFIED LANDSCAPE DESIGNER?
Landscaping is much more than "shrubbing up" a house. Good landscaping involves careful selection and placement of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers to fit the site conditions and enhance the architecture and functionality of the property. It addresses drainage issues, slopes, uses of outdoor space, and access to areas around the property. It may involve hardscaping (brick or masonary), lighting, irrigation, fencing, and other special features. There is both an artistic and practical component to landscape design. Beautiful landscapes don't just happen...they are designed!
• WHY NOT CALL A LANDSCAPE COMPANY?
Landscape design and landscape installation are equal parts of any successful project but they require different talents and skills. Landscape designers (like architects) are idea people and use creativity and plant knowledge to develop a design plan. Landscape contractors (like building contractors) focus on doing the work. Many landscaping companies do NOT employ trained, qualified, and experienced designers. Their plans are done by the contractor or sales staff. They will sometimes take on jobs that are beyond their skill level. An independent designer works for YOU and is free to recommend the best, most reliable contractors to do the work for your special project.
• WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR A LANDSCAPE DESIGN WHEN SOME COMPANIES DO IT FREE?
"Free plans" are a common "hook" to get landscape work. But there is huge difference between price and value. Good landscaping can increase the value and curb appeal of a home and provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Poor landscaping is a liability and money wasted. Some companies
may offer a "free plan" but hide their time spent in the cost of the
installation. Others will
spend minimal time on your project or be unqualified....and you
will get exactly
what you pay for.
• WHAT DOES IT COST?
Quality landscaping is an investment. The industry suggests a
minimum
budget of 5% of the cost of new home and, in our years of
experience, this
has proven to be an accurate figure. The price of a professional
landscape plan
is based on the scope of the project and time spent and may range
from several hundred to several thousand dollars. It represents a very
small percentage of the total cost of a landscape installation and can
prevent thousands of dollars of mistakes and disappointment.
• WE ARE BUILDING A NEW HOME...WHEN SHOULD WE THINK ABOUT LANDSCAPING?
From the very beginning! The sooner we get involved in the process, the more helpful we can be. We will guide you toward a realistic budget for landscaping based on your wishes, your lot, and the requirements of your development. We can submit a "preliminary estimate" to your lending institution so the cost of landscaping can be rolled into your home mortgage. We may walk the lot with you and your builder before it is cleared to determine which trees should be removed or saved. We can often make suggestions to improve proposed walks, driveways, decks, and terraces.
When the house is fully framed we meet with you on site to examine grade changes, sun and shade patterns, and look out doors and windows to determine important views and screening needs. Together we discuss how you and your family plan to use your outdoor spaces, determine your style of landscaping, and plant preferences. If you have photos from previous homes or magazine pictures of landscapes you like, please show us!
We then take measurements and digital pictures of the property and begin to create a comprehensive landscape plan that reflects your ideas, the conditions of the lot, the architecture of your home, and the landscape requirements of your neighborhood. You may enjoy meeting with us at a local nursery to make final plant selections.
When the plan is finished we meet again to review it and make any final changes. You will then receive blueprint copies of our easy-to-read, scale drawings along with conceptual sketches drawn on digital photos and visual images of hardscapes features and details. We also create an information packet to help you care for your new landscape.
If required by your development, we will submit the landscape plan for approval to the architectural review committee and may attend the meeting in person to answer any questions or concerns.
If you need a qualified Landscape Contractor to do the work for you, we will be happy to recommend one and arrange to get a written cost estimate for your project. When a contractor we refer installs our plans, we remain involved in the project until it is finished!
• WE ALREADY HAVE A LANDSCAPER FOR OUR PROPERTY...
CAN HE DO THE WORK?
We work with many landscape contractors and tradesmen. If your landscaper is qualified to implement our ideas, we are happy to partner with him on your project. If the project is beyond his skill level or expertise, we will be glad to recommend a qualified professional.