What To Expect From A Landscape Architect

One of the main jobs of a landscape architect or a landscaping firm is to establish a professional landscape design that the client should be satisfied with. This professional landscape design is based on the area that the client wishes to have landscaped. In many cases, an expert on landscape design is called to have a conference with the client. The actual act of landscaping will have to wait until the professional landscape design has been approved and given the go signal by the client and the firm.

There are factors that need to be considered before any plans can be drawn out or made. Such factors include a water source, and electrical source and the area of the project. The professional landscape design may also need to wait before being made due to consideration of the location of the garden. The position of the sun and what plants are local to the area should also be considered.

Another job that a landscape firm or architect needs to be responsible for is the implementation of the professional landscape design. In most cases of hiring an established firm to do the professional landscape design, the firm will also be the one to implement the said design and bring it to life. Landscaping garden supplies and structures should also be ready for the consideration of the client. The details of the professional landscape design should also be outlined in the design plans

Such details include what structures will be included or offered to the client to choose from, the kinds of plant recommendations the firm has for the area, the kinds of stones to be used for the professional landscape design and many more. It is usually the client or the homeowner that has the last say regarding what happens to the area since it is his home that is to be landscaped.

Getting a professional landscape design is advisable for larger areas where you might have a lot of structures you like to put. Most landscape firms have generic designs that they can alter and change to suit the client.

How Much Landscaping Service Do You Need?

Before heading to your yellow pages to find a landscaping service, decide exactly how much maintenance you need. If you are primarily looking for lawn care, including mowing and fertilizing, then you will want to search for a service that focuses mainly on lawn maintenance. If you have shrubs to be pruned and planting beds to be weeded, you may be looking for a landscaping service that will provide a full range of care. Once you have determined exactly what you will be hiring your landscaping service to do, you can turn your attention to the selection of your service.

Buyer Beware!

Since you will be hiring a company with the intention of creating a long term relationship, you want to exercise some care in choosing a landscaping service. If you have a neighbor that is using a company on a regular basis, this would be a good starting point. But before getting that phone number from your neighbor, ask for feedback about the company. Are the employees reliable? Does the company consistently do a good job? Is the customer service satisfactory? If you do not have the benefit of a reference from a friend or neighbor, there are some things you can look for when searching for a landscaping service on your own. Inspect the tools that the company uses to ensure that they are clean and in good condition. Well maintained tools will probably lead to a well maintained yard for you. Ask about customer service policies. Does the company guarantee the work it does? If an employee over fertilizes your lawn, for example, what recourse do you have in repair or replacement?

The best rule of thumb is to hire the best landscaping service that you can find and afford. With some investigation and research, you can find a landscaping service that will meet all of your yard care needs over the long haul.

Really, what better way to pass the buck than to support your fellow man by hiring a landscaping contractor to pick up where you left off (or in some cases, wipe away the mess you created)? Landscaping contractors are experts at making your lawn, garden, and hedges look their best everyday. In fact, their livelihood depends on the fact that they make everything look their absolute best all the time.

Where’s The Best Place To Find A Landscaping Contractor?

Contrary to most things, the internet isn’t a great place to find a landscaping contractor for the simple reason of you don’t want to have to bring in a contractor from Palm Springs when you live in the Hampton’s—that’s just not cost-effective. So, second to the internet, we turn to the world’s second greatest compilation of information: the telephone book.

Most telephone books make this search incredibly easy—often having both a “contractor” section in the yellow pages as well as “landscaping” section in the yellow pages. There, you will find local talent to help you achieve your own personal landscaping nirvana. In addition to that, you can also find a wide variety of other services to help you with you landscaping endeavors including compost transport, services to haul away dirt, and of course, timber sales.

In some cases, the contractor will take care of this for you but, in other cases, they will not and, in the end, it’s really better to just plan ahead so that your veritable Mona Lisa of laws isn’t marred by a large pile of left over mulch, timber, and displaced dirt.

Outside of that, another great way to find the exact landscaping contractor that you want is to drive around look for signs that people have placed in their yards based on the contractors that they have had do work for them. This way, you can see exactly what the contractor can and has done and you can even speak with the person to see how satisfied they were with the service. All in all, a pretty good deal for just a little bit of gas money spent on the driving around.

The biggest mistake you can make when starting a landscaping business is to take on jobs that you are not capable of doing. By failing on one or two, word of mouth advertising will kill any chance you had of being a success.

Another issue common of people just starting out in a landscaping business is knowing what to charge for their services. Many make the mistake of not charging enough and end up going broke. Others may overcharge and find themselves with no business because their prices are too high. Starting your own landscaping business after working for an established company for a while, can be a benefit in knowing what rates to charge in your area as well as how to perform the task.

Don’t Let Customer Ruin Reputation

Presuming you are well educated in landscaping and you decide to leave your employer for the greener pastures of operating your own landscaping business. Your costs are determined and all you lack are jobs. When talking to potential clients, many may have a preconceived notion of what they want. While you want to please the customer, remember your education and determine if their desires are feasible.

For example, if they want certain plants in an area of full sun and you know the sun will kill them, you should inform the customer of this. Do not take the attitude that the customer is always right and think about the money you can make just to have to come back to charge them again to replace them. It’s your landscaping business and your reputation is on the line. If the customer still insists after being informed, you will want to make a notation on any contract that this particular plant is being used against your advice.

Customer service will get you more business than prices. A customer who wants a job done simply based on how much it will cost may not be the type of customer you want, as nothing you do for the money they are willing to pay will probably be good enough and it’s a good way to put your landscaping business into financial ruin.

However, once you tell a customer you’re going to do something, make absolutely certain you do it. Except in extreme circumstances, including weather delays, all deadlines must be met and, if an unforeseen problem arises, work with the customer to their satisfaction. Again, word of mouth is the best advertising you can hope for in your landscaping business.

Advantages Of A Landscape Architect

One benefit of hiring a landscape architect for your lawn or yard is the experience they have regarding designs and structures that work well together. These types of architects are trained to make designs for gardens and yards that are naturally pleasing to the eye. The time they have spent learning their craft is something that gives them a natural gift for what works well and what doesn’t. An experienced landscape architect knows what to expect from the lay of the land to the positioning of the area that needs to be landscaped.

One other thing that a landscape architect has an advantage of is the fact that they have established connections and contacts with suppliers of whatever is relevant to landscaping. Since hiring a landscape architect to do your backyard landscape design means that their firm will also bring their design to reality, the fact that they already have the necessary supplies ready for use means that they do not waste time in building your design. Of course, if the client has other preferences than the ones the landscape architect recommends, the firm would have to abide with the client’s preferences.

Hiring a landscape architect can be advantageous because these people have a very good working knowledge regarding what plants work well with what design. Their working knowledge usually helps them avoid traps that many do-it-yourself homeowners may fall into when they decide to landscape their own yards. A landscape architect will also be able to give a close estimate to the overall cost of the project without even starting it yet. This will help the homeowner with regards to costs of the project skyrocketing out of the original budget.

Hiring a landscape architect to do your design is actually a good investment when you consider the many benefits you get.

Essentials In Landscape Design

This course brings to focus the essentials that a landscape engineer or architect needs to know. The essentials of landscape design include the symmetry of the landscape design. Even informal landscaping designs need to have some semblance of order that makes the landscape project look like it was cultivated naturally. This natural look is achieved by looking into native plants that complement each other and which plants thrive in the natural environment. The natural symmetry that exists in natural land formations as well as water formations is another aspect that is pursued in landscape design courses.

Formal landscaping follows symmetry more rigidly than informal landscaping. Grass lawns are well kept and the plants are trimmed and pruned to perfection. The symmetry that many architects of landscaping strive for is more pronounced in formal landscaping. Landscape design also teaches the formal geometric designs that are often used for formal landscaping.

Another thing that needs to be learned in the landscape design courses is the balance of things in the project. Which spot the sun hits most and which spot is often neglected by sunlight is another thing that needs to be considered in landscaping. These are important factors that should be kept in mind especially when thinking of putting a pond in which fish and other creatures are to be integrated.

Landscape design also focuses on other factors that add to a beautiful design. The kinds of plants that should be used are often things that a landscape architect should consider. Fast growing and slow growing plants both have their following. Those with pocket gardens are usually recommended to have slow growing plants to prevent constant trimming and pruning. Fast growing plants that need to be perennially maintained are often relegated to landscape designs that have gardener to maintain them.

Studying landscape design will usually bring about an understanding for beauty in the botanical and natural sense. Landscaping is an art form that many can do especially if they have an eye for symmetry and beauty. Learning landscape design courses can benefit homeowners who strive to do their own designs.

Formal Landscape Design

In the formal form of arranging a garden or any area, one can see order if the landscape that has been made or is to be made. The plants and flowers chosen are usually chosen with care to complement each other and because they bring out the features of the landscape that they are planted on. Formal landscaping usually has low hedges or low walls to separate flower beds in an orderly fashion. Some formal garden designs are patterns that are geometric in shape and form. The essence of formal landscaping is to have a sort of order that is hard to miss.

Water structures as well as other stone or wooden structures are also found in formal landscaping designs. Stone is a common medium used in formal gardens since they add a touch of class and elegance. Most formally landscaped areas are larger than most since the beauty and order of the formal garden needs to be seen in a larger picture.

Informal Landscaping

The art of informal landscaping is actually not as easy as you might think. Although, informal landscaping features a jumble of plants and landscape structures, there is a certain order in the jumble. Many professional landscape designers also have to consider the area and the preferences of the homeowner when making and informal garden design. Informal landscaping is more like letting the garden run its natural course with some guidance. By culturing the plants in a natural way, without any large scale pruning or trimming, you the gardener actually lets the garden have some semblance of disorder which is natural in nature.

Landscaping can be a very interesting project for those who wish to do it themselves. The actual process of planning the area to be landscaped as well as making the design which you will base on the basic lay of the land is a worthy project that a homeowner can tackle. Not only will you have fun planning your garden or your yard but you will also enjoy maintaining your garden after the entire landscaping project has been finished.

The types of tools landscapers select vary depending on their service. Within the types of tools landscapers need, many have preferred brands based on their own experiences with the tools or simply because of budget restrictions. In fact, most landscapers often rely heavily on brand name, particularly when it comes to machinery. They want to keep the long-term expenses low by purchasing reliable machinery that will need little maintenance.

To learn more about landscaping tools, it is perfectly fine to ask your landscapers to teach you more. In most cases, they will be happy to show you how to properly select, use and care for your landscaping tools.

If you have a specific landscaping interest, you can also visit your local garden supply store and ask the professionals there to help you learn more about it. These stores generally offer a wide variety of tools, and they can tell you the pros and cons of different brands and help you understand which are best for specific projects.

Aside from knowing how to select the right landscaping tools for the job, landscapers also know how to care for their equipment. Properly maintained equipment lasts longer and performs better. For example, blades need to be routinely sharpened or replaced on lawnmowers in order to ensure your lawn is cut in a uniform manner. Similarly, the engine needs to be cared for on your weed trimmer so it will last longer than one season. The small engines on these machines can be quite sensitive and will malfunction if not maintained. Generally, there are procedures you should follow at the beginning of the season before using the equipment and steps to take at the end of the season before storing the equipment.

Landscapers also know how to properly use landscaping tools. For example, using a spade shovel to prepare a garden bed is not nearly as effective as using a hoe. Every landscaper knows the absolute value of maintaining a sharp edge on his tools. Having this knowledge saves times and work when creating a new landscaping design.

They also know how to use equipment so that will be damaged. Using pruning shears, for example, to cut a branch off a tree will put undue stress on the shears causing them to dull more quickly and perhaps even break. Understanding which tools are best for what jobs and how to properly use them is the best way to keep your tools lasting a long time.

Most landscapers will tell that the secret of the speed with which they work is that they work with good tools kept clean, sharp and well oiled. It is not unusual to see them stopping briefly several times a day to take care of this task.

Before hiring an independent landscaper, ask around for a recommendation. If your friends and neighbors have attractive landscaping, ask them who they used to create the look. If the name of the same independent landscaper keeps coming up, that is a pretty good sign he is a good choice.

After narrowing your potential choices down, ask your friends and neighbors for more details. Try to determine if the landscaper’s style and work methods are compatible with you and your lifestyle. If it seems as though he may be a good fit, take it to the next step.

(If you do not have any friends or neighbors who have used landscapers, you might need to go to the yellow pages. Most likely, you will discover many independent landscaping companies listed in the yellow pages. Even one-man operations realize the importance of having their business listed in the yellow pages. Give the landscapers you find listed a call and ask for references.)

Perhaps you do not need to go to the yellow pages to find an independent landscaper because you have seen a sign outside the contractor’s home or because you have spotted the phone number on the side of the company truck. If this is the case, you still want to get references.

If they can’t provide you with a list of references, this is a bad sign. Avoid working with those landscapers. If, however, some do provide you with list of references, make a drive by of the properties on which they worked. Use these drive-bys to determine which landscapers seem to have the style you are looking for.

Next, take a moment to visit with the owners of the homes whose landscaping you liked most. Look for examples of projects that are similar to yours. If your project is unique or particularly large, you need to be assured a one-man operation will be able to accommodate your needs. Ask the homeowners about their experience with the landscaper.

After narrowing your choices down to just a few, make appointments with them to visit your home. One advantage to a one-man operation is that they are often more flexible about appointments and more willing to make accommodations to meet your needs.

Discuss your vision and ask him to review your site. Take the time to discuss your plans and receive his feedback. The landscaper should be able to give you a realistic idea of what can be done. If your project is particularly large, you need to discuss this and be assured that he has the necessary resources.
If you like the guy, but are still uncertain. Start with a small job. Have him work while you are at home and can keep an eye on things. If all goes well, add on progressively larger work until you become certain of his skills, honesty and willingness to do your work the way you want it done.

When you think of formal landscaping, you probably think of an old landscaper’s garden. You see him out in the garden, with tattered hat, toiling away among great flowers surrounding a nice wooden gazebo, completed with roses, nice trees, and water ponds.

This image is very close to what a true formal garden is.

To get started in this creation, call your trusted landscapers to a meeting. Have a clear presentation of what you want when you set up this first meeting. You might also want to have a few pictures ready; sometimes, words cannot describe what you have in mind. Make sure you and your landscapers are on the same track before getting started.

Now that you all share the same vision, start hammering out the details. Flowers are very important when planning formal landscaping. The colors and smells of flowers in a formal garden help to identify it as such. So, you need to choose carefully with your landscaper’s expertise and knowledge guiding you.

The best formal landscape looks good both day and night. And, it should also have something blooming throughout the year. Your landscapers can help you select flowers that bloom at night, as well as day. They should be planted within close proximity so that you do not have an area without blooms during the day or night.

To help accentuate your nighttime blooms, install landscape lighting in your garden. This lighting may even focus on a statue or other feature besides flowers. It also provides a measure of safety for those enjoying your garden at night.

Water adds a touch of class and formality to a landscape. Look for ways to fountains and ponds to the layout. Generally, ponds should contain clear water, almost like a pool. In formal landscaping, you rarely include stones or water plants. However, with your landscaper’s help, you might be able to maintain the formal quality, if you really have your heart set on growing water lilies.

To successfully create a formal garden, you have to go beyond flowers to incorporate ornaments and furniture in your landscaping design. This garden dŽcor is nearly as important in the formal landscaping design as the flowers within it. Your landscapers can help you choose benches and gazebos. It is important, however, to be sure everything matches. If the dŽcor is not complimentary - get rid of it. It will detract from the overall affect of your formal design.

Your landscaping service will tell you how to properly care for the plants once they are in place. If you are not comfortable with caring for the formal garden yourself, there is no shame in asking your landscapers to assist you with maintenance.