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Landscape Designers
An attractive landscape is a proven way to
enhance the appeal and marketability of any
property. Most owners can benefit from hiring
a professional designer, who has the knowledge
and skill to guide the entire landscaping
process from plans to installation. Having
the right plan from the start can help avoid
mistakes that can be costly to correct. A
professional designer will have access to
a wider variety of plant and hardscape materials
at better prices than most property owners.
The designer will make sure that all the
selected plants are suitable for the climate
and can also advise the client on maintenance
procedures that will keep the garden looking
its best.
A good designer will start by surveying the
space and asking the client what garden features,
including planting beds, hardscaping (walkways, retaining walls, driveways), and garden structures (arbors, pergolas, trellises, playhouses) are desired. The designer can advise the
client if plans to a construct a swimming pool, fountain, or water garden are feasible. When the client and designer
have agreed on what will be included, precise
plans can be drawn up.
There are three ways of working with the
landscape designer.
- The first is to purchase only a landscape
plan. The designer will charge a flat fee
or an hourly charge for the time it takes
to complete the plan. The property owner
can then do the installation work himself
or hire a contractor to do it for him. This
method works especially well if the owner
wants to implement the plan over time rather
than all at once. It is usually the least
expensive option.
- The second choice is for the designer to
hire the contractors and supervise the work.
In this case, the designer may not charge
for the landscaping plan. It is the designer’s
job to make sure that everything in the plan
is properly purchased, constructed, and planted.
- The third method is to hire a design/build
firm which provides all the services needed
for the entire project, starting with the
landscape plan. Although this is frequently
the most expensive, it often results in the
fastest and smoothest installation, as one
company is coordinating all of the work.
The best way to find a landscape
designer
is to locate gardens in your
area that appeal
to you and then ask who planned
them. Designers
often have distinct styles that
they specialize
in, although many will do a variety
of garden
types.
Since you hold the vision of what you want,
find pictures in magazines and books of gardens
you like that you can show to a designer
you are thinking of hiring. These can help
convey your ideas and perhaps give you new
ones. Of equal importance, be prepared to
tell the designer how you plan to use the
space. |
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