How to Work with a Professional Landscape Designer

A professional landscape designer can make your experience very enjoyable. Professional landscape designers can help you turn your dreams into reality, and avoid costly mistakes. The site conditions, seasonal changes and plant requirements are all considered. They also consider wildlife and your vision. Designers are people who have been trained in horticulture and can design beautiful, functional outdoor spaces that meet your needs. Landscape designers can help you avoid making mistakes and maximize your return on investment, whether you are looking for assistance with a foundation planting or storm water basin.

Is a landscape designer or architect what I need?

Landscape architects (LA) may be required depending on the scope of your project. An LA is required for large sites that require grading plans and large structures. The state licenses and registers landscape architects. Landscape designers are more likely to concentrate on small to medium-sized projects. This includes hardscapes like patios, walkways and outdoor kitchens. However, there is a strong emphasis placed on the plants. There are overlaps in many professions. Many landscape architects support large-scale projects and many LAs design residential properties.

Selecting Landscape Designer

The design relation

You should feel comfortable with your landscaper and be able to trust their decisions. The designer should listen to you and ask questions. Listen to the designer's expertise and opinions. Your goals will be achieved with their expertise. One of our clients wanted year-round color and fragrance in a small area. Her view was also important to her so she wanted low plants. The garden was located in deep shade and the soil was very wet. These were her expectations, which were mostly unrealistic. Your designer can be flexible and create spaces that are more than you imagine.

Training and education

Ask your designer if they are active in their field. Designers should also continue their education to keep their licenses current. While some designers are self-taught and others have formal training in design and horticulture, others are trained. It is important to be satisfied with the training and experience that your designer has.

Portfolio

Ask for examples of the work of your designer. Take a look at their portfolio to see if they are capable. Look at their portfolio to see if they have worked on projects that are similar in complexity and size to yours. If they are just starting out in the industry, talented designers might not have a large portfolio. It can take several years for new projects look established and get high quality photos.

The Process

If you are undergoing major construction, it is important to bring your landscape designer on board as soon as possible. You will make better decisions when working with a landscape architect and builder. Landscape designers must consider the impact of these construction decisions on your outdoor living spaces. Landscape designers can help you choose the right locations for walkways and patios. They will also ensure that your beds are large enough to accommodate desired plants. Your designer can also protect soils and trees from being damaged during construction.

Initial Meeting- Determine Goals

Your designer and you will meet to discuss your goals and preferences. Your vision for your site and your preferences are important. Ask questions about the history and water movement of the site. You can point out problems and love the landscape. Sometimes it is the smallest details that make the difference between a good design and one that inspires.

Site Evaluation

If you have any existing plants or base maps of the property, your designer will be most efficient. While electronic copies are the easiest to use, a scaled drawing can save you time and help with design. Your designer can take measurements of your property and create a base map. Your designer will walk the property with your permission and then spend more time doing a site assessment. Your designer will usually spend quite a lot of time on the property and take photos. Your designer may ask to view your interior from inside your home. For complex projects, your designer may need to travel several times to collect the necessary information.

Conceptual or Preliminary Design Meeting

After your designer has put together some ideas, they will reach out to you to set up a preliminary design meeting. The initial plan will include information from the site evaluation as well as loose conceptual ideas. Sometimes, specific plants may be listed. However, it is not uncommon to see areas that are loosely defined, such as "cutting garden" or "mixed screening". During the design phase, your designer will want to make sure you feel comfortable with the overall concepts and answer any questions.

You are welcome to give honest feedback. This is the point of this meeting. While you can make changes at any point, it's easier to do so early on in the process. This will help inform the rest. It is also a great time to add any details or changes you have forgotten. A landscape designer typically moves on to the final design after this meeting. On large projects, there might be several meetings to discuss budgeting, feasibility and changes. All this is to make sure you get the landscape you want and can afford.

Final Design

The plan will include all elements of the landscape design. It should include a detailed plan of the hardscapes, beds and plants, as well as other design elements. You should include important information such as a plant schedule, including names, sizes, conditions, and information about the plants. This is usually presented by your designer in person. They will explain the intent and show you how the design achieves your goals.

Design Prices

Landscape designers can charge different amounts for time and costs. It is important to know your needs upfront.

Free: In some cases, landscape design fees may be included with the installation cost. It is not allowed to shop around for price or install the project yourself.

Hourly Rates: The prices are often based on experience or deliverables. An entry-level designer or a rough sketch of your landscape design may charge the lowest price. The higher end may be charged by a principal or senior designer at a company. Landscape design/build companies usually fall somewhere in between. Also, the amount of time required to complete a project can vary greatly. Re-designing an existing foundation planting can take up to 10 hours. A complete master plan could take 50 hours. At your first interview, ask for rough estimates.

Schedule

A landscape design can take anywhere from a few weeks up to several months. Each phase of the design process should take at most a few weeks. After the plan has been completed, it will take time to create an estimate, finalize project scope, and sign a contract. The landscape contractor can then schedule the project and start sourcing materials. It is not uncommon for the installation process to take more than six months.

What's next?

Now you have an awesome plan and are ready to bring it to life. Now it's time for you to find a contractor and create a maintenance plan. You may find your landscape designer able to assist you with these crucial tasks.

Installation

Landscape designers who are part of a design/build company can provide pricing estimates based upon the design. This will ensure that the designer and installation crew communicate well, while still preserving the original intent of the design.

Project Management

A landscape designer who isn't a part of a design-only company may be able to recommend contractors that they have used with good results in the past. For an additional fee, some designers can also be Project Managers. This could be an hourly rate, or a percentage of the installation cost (5-10%).

Maintenance Program

Landscape maintenance is often the most neglected aspect of any landscape installation. Because a landscape is constantly changing and is always in flux, it is crucial to maintain its beauty. A Landscape Designer Bendigo can be a great source of information for your landscape management plan. A verbal explanation of the maintenance requirements for simple plantings may be sufficient. For installations where the landscape will be managed by outside parties, a plan must be written. It should include both regular maintenance and how to handle more serious problems that might arise. 

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