How To Plan Out Your Landscape Design

April 30, 2019

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A good landscape design can do wonders for your property. Not only can you make it more aesthetically pleasing and more functional, but a good landscape design can improve your property’s curb appeal, thereby improving its value. However, getting started might seem like quite the challenge, especially if you have a larger area to landscape and you’re basically starting from scratch. The following are three main steps you should follow to plan your landscape design:

1. Figure Out Your Budget

The first thing you should do is figure out how much you can spend on your landscape design. While you might not be able to identify the exact costs of what you want to do or what the overall project will be, if you work with a reputable landscaper, they will be able to help plan out your landscape design so that it will fall within your budget. Just keep in mind that the more complex a project is, the more time it will take — and more time means more money.

Not to mention that paying for higher-end materials will cost more as well. Last, but not least, set aside a small amount of your budget to be used on unforeseen issues (for example, if while installing an irrigation system it’s discovered that your home’s water supply is delivered through lead pipes, you’ll need to have them replaced). By having this kind of flexibility within your budget, you’ll prevent the project from going too far over budget.

2. List Your Wants and Needs

Sit down and figure out what your wants and needs are. The best way to do this is to list everything you want and need in general, whether it’s certain types of plants or large water features (such as a koi pond, for example). Be sure to consider practicality as well as aesthetic value. A koi pond might spruce up your backyard a lot, but if you have a smaller yard, it might make it look a bit too cramped. You should also keep your budget in mind. If you’re working with a smaller budget, consider alternatives. For example, instead of building a deck, build a small patio.

Once you have a list of everything you want and need, go through and identify what things you actually need and what things would just be nice to have. Essentially, prioritize your list. There’s a chance that not everything you have on the list will be possible, whether it’s due to your budget or due to matters of practicality.

3. Prepare Interview Questions

Once you have a budget and a good idea of what it is you want out of your landscape design, it’s time to hire a landscaper. However, there are a lot of landscapers out there, which means you’ll want to talk to several of them in order to compare prices, services, and general attitude. The following are a few questions you should be sure to ask:

• Are you fully bonded and insured to work in the area?
• How long have you been working in the area?
• Do you have references that you can share?
• What kind of landscaping specialists do you have on staff?
• Can you provide a drawing of the final landscape design plan before starting?
• Can you detail the landscape design process?
• Will you provide maintenance services following the completion of the job?
• How well do you communicate with your customers throughout the design and implementation process?

These are three important steps to follow when planning your landscape design. For information about our landscape design services, be sure to contact us at Twin Oaks Landscape today.