How to Hire a Landscape Designer

Landscape designers determine which plants work best to create a cohesive design which enhances the overall beauty of the home. Most perform soil analysis in order to determine proper placement of the plants. Determining the direction and scope of the landscape project is not always easy, but a little careful planning and research will help determine the best landscape designer for the project.

Determine the Scope of the Landscape Project for the Home

Landscape design projects involve several stages of implementation. Decide if the project requires a blueprint design or if the landscape design will be a full life cycle implementation.

A design project entails the physical layout and arrangement of the plants along with the materials that will be used on a blueprint design. A landscape designer might ask for pictures of the current landscape and then form a computer-generated design of how the final project would look.

An installation project entails physically putting the design together. This may include the installation of an irrigation system along with brick pavers, and plant placement.

A maintenance project usually entails lawn care, soil treatment and maintenance of the current landscape. The level of work required determines the price of the project. So if the budget is small consider hiring a landscape designer for just the design phase and install the landscaping on one’s own.

Have a Vision of How the Design Project will Enhance the Home

Glance garden landscapes to determine which designs look best. Look through magazines or take pictures of landscape designs that are particularly pleasing. Taking this extra step makes the dialogue with the landscape designer more meaningful and more specific.

Ask for Referrals in Order to Find the Right Landscape Designer

Ask for referrals from a local nursery or professional association. Nurseries usually provide referrals for landscape professionals, so don’t be shy they can offer a wealth of information. Also, the American Nursery and Landscape Association provides leads for landscape designers as well. Remember that landscape designers are not licensed so this referral has to come from a trusted source.

Interview Potential Candidates for the Landscaping Project

During the interview ask about how many projects they have completed and how many they currently have pending. Ask about their training along with their area of expertise. Many landscape designers specialize in English Gardens, as well as irrigation systems, it is important to verify that the landscape designer feels comfortable with the intended design and overall project.

Also look at the landscape designer’s portfolio. Ask about seeing a recently completed project, to determine the recent quality of work.Ask for references from prior clients and follow up and determine the efficiency of the landscaper as well as the overall quality of their work from previous assignments. If the reviews are not raving, then move on to another designer.

Next, find out the timeline for the project. Will the project take weeks or months? The answer lies in the experience of the landscape designer along with his or her current workload. Many landscape designers will hire a subcontractor for a portion of the project. Ask if the designer plans on doing this. It may offer some negotiation room when discussing pricing.

Lastly, hire the landscape designer of choice and get a written contract. Determine details regarding the payment structure beforehand. Is billing by the hour or by the project?

Following these basic steps puts the homeowner in charge of the landscaping project. Taking an active role in the home’s landscaping project offers the homeowner a sense of accomplishment along with a cohesive garden that adds extra beauty and value to the home.