7 Steps to Choosing a Landscape Designer

For a beautiful home, everyone needs a landscape designer. A landscape designer can make your summer fun by creating amazing space where you and your family would like to spend time. Moreover, in case you ever decide to sell your home, the stunning garden can significantly increase its value. With the options that the landscape market is now offering you can turn your garden into extension of your home that will express your creativity and represent your personality.

However, you should be aware that finding the right landscape designer is not an easy task and you will have to put some effort into it if you want to make a good decision. Here are our 7 Steps To Choosing A Landscape Designer that will make your search a bit easier.

Define the perfect landscape designer for you

To be able to find the perfect landscape designer that can create the garden of your dreams you have to look at some portfolios and see samples of previous work. Most professional landscape designers have websites where you can see some of the work they did in the past. On their website you can also see how long they have been in the business and if they enjoy good reputation. Another thing you should pay attention to is the scope of their services. If you are looking for long term collaboration instead of a short term one, then you should check if the company offers maintenance, lighting and landscape supply.

Don’t forget to check if the contractor can respond to your needs promptly and efficiently as the last thing you want is to get stuck with a contractor that takes days or weeks to cater your needs.

Ask for references

Most good landscape designers have solid reputation so it will be easy for you to find references for their previous work. Before you decide to hire the chosen landscape designer, check if they are a member of the American Nursery and Landscape Association (anla.org) and the Associated Landscape Contractors Association (arcat.com).

If you can’t find any references don’t be afraid to ask. If they did well in the past, they will be happy to share that with you. From the references and their past projects you can get an idea of the work they did and see if this is somewhat similar to what you need.

Check with the community

A good landscape designer means someone that has good connections within the community and will be able to turn your vision into reality. You don’t want to do business with someone who is looking for ways to save money and trick you. What you need is someone who will be willing to monitor every aspect of the work and make sure things going according to the plan.

Take more offers

The first step was to check for different portfolios. Your next step will be to get their offers. Never go with only one. You would be surprised to see how different the prices can be so it is always good to keep your options open. The lowest price doesn’t mean that they are the best, same as the highest one doesn’t mean they can do wonders.

The difference in prices can mean that the landscape designers have different experience or simply they offer different quality of service. The good landscape designer will give you detailed estimates for your upcoming project and will assist you in finding the right design for you. In addition they will also offer you their services, after the project is finished just to show you that they will do whatever it takes to keep you happy. Therefore, don’t base your decision only on the price but make sure you consider the scope of services, their quality and how much they are willing to do for you.

Are they flexible? Can you trust them?

The most common reasons for hiring a landscape designer include the following:

– You have bought a new home

– You want to improve your old home to increase its market value

– Your previous landscaping needs to be improved

See if the contractor is flexible and willing to adapt to your current and future projects. Make sure this person is reliable and can communicate well.

Can they respond to your needs?

Is this the right landscape designer for you? Can they turn your vision into reality and modify it to look even better? The landscape designer you choose needs to be able to respond to your needs and create something that will present you at your best.

There is no second chance to make a first impression

The first impression matters and it should matter to you too. When you choose your landscape designer focus on their materials, the condition of the buildings, the employees that work in the company and the equipment they have. This can tell you a lot about the company you might be working with. Always look for quality work, good products and company that has good eye for details.

The perfect landscape designer can make you a garden where you will enjoy spending time; a bad one can create environment that will be a real nightmare for you. That is why you should never underestimate the importance of the work the landscape designer can do for you and always make sure your decisions are well thought off. Find a landscape designer that offers quality, flexibility and support you can always count on. If you find a designer that has these qualities then you can be sure that your garden will be something you will be proud of.