Many home and business owners make the mistake of believing that “yes” if they spend the money, their landscape will improve. While this may be true in some regards, the money usually winds up going to other things such as improving electrical wiring, hiring a landscaper, or financing the project. The money spent on maintaining your property can actually save you money in the long run, giving you time to enjoy your yard and garden without having to worry about paying for costly services.
It also depends on several different factors. The first one is your personal taste and preference. You must first determine what type of landscaping you would like to have before hiring a landscape architect. You might only want a small yard filled with grass, or you may want to build an elaborate landscape to include streams, ponds, and a large lawn with plants that you love.
After determining how much space you want for your landscape, you will need to determine the budget you can afford. Landscape designers can charge from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. Keep in mind that the price you pay for a landscape architect’s services will depend on the amount of work required, the designer’s expertise, as well as the materials used, and any customization that you want. Make sure you research several architects before making a final hiring decision.
Before you hire a landscape architect, ask for some references. Contact the references listed under each candidate’s name to ask questions about their knowledge of the landscape designer. The reason for this is that a landscape architect’s job duties could be completely different from those of a landscaper. Landscape designers are responsible for creating and designing entire neighborhoods or entire parks. Landscape designers are not responsible for trees, shrubs, flowers, or anything else that goes into a park or neighborhood.
When hiring a landscape architect, you should also inquire as to the landscape plans that they have created for other clients. This will help you to see what types of plants and shrubs they have used. You should also inquire as to the cost per square foot that they will charge you. See if you are offered a written proposal of their price so you will know what you are being charged for. Ask a lot of questions before you decide to hire them so you can be sure you are getting your money’s worth.
How do you select the best landscape architect? There are many ways to go about choosing a landscape designer. The most important thing is to take your time when you are interviewing them. You should spend at least a day meeting with several landscape contractors so you can discuss your needs and find out which one will be able to best meet your expectations.
Is landscape architect’s work licensed? Landscape engineering is a tricky art and it takes an expert to really master it. A license to practice landscape architecture is something that you should look into when you are looking for an architect. Make sure that the landscape architect that you choose has a license to practice Landscape Engineering so you will be completely protected in case anything happens to your yard after the installation of your landscaping.
Is landscape architect’s work insured? As with any other profession, the landscape design industry has its own set of standards that you need to follow. Insurance is required of landscape architects and many other professionals that work in the landscaping industry, so you should inquire about this with the insurance company that you are going with. Ensure that you obtain a copy of the landscape architect’s policy so you will be fully protected at all times.