Finding The Right Colorado Landscape Designer For You
If you’ve made the decision to hire a Landscape Designer, whether it’s for a newly constructed home or renovating a yard for your existing home, you will wonder how to get it accomplished by the right professionals. Typically, you might call a landscape contractor, thinking that they will provide all the services that you will need to get it done. Or you may even attempt to DIY. Both of these options are fraught with danger. Without a thoughtful, professional plan in place before construction starts, you’re setting yourself up for potential costly mistakes. Afterall, if you have a toothache, you wouldn’t pull it out yourself. You most likely would go to a dentist. So the question becomes, why would you not hire a professional to plan your landscape?
1. What is the Designer’s expertise?
Start by looking for a Designer that aligns with your specific aesthetic, (Prairie, Xeriscaping, Rustic Modern, Japanese Style Garden, etc.) or ecological approach (such as native plantings, permaculture, sustainability, etc.) Your perfect Designer will have the experience in creating plans for custom built structures like pergolas and retaining walls. A compatible Designer-Client relationship is critical to the project's success.
Professional designers that are known for a particular style aesthetic bring a unique value to your project. Match up the designer with your particular tastes and lifestyle. View their photos, read their testimonials and blogs or articles. This is the best way to achieve your desired outcome.
Experience. Does the Designer have a history of successful projects over at least a five year period? Again, testimonials can answer this question for you. There is nothing more valuable than an experienced and talented creative professional.
2. A Designer will save you money and time
The most common misconception is that a designer will cost you more money. A good designer will actually save you money by eliminating the potential for costly mistakes. If done right the first time, the result will be a well constructed space that was completed within the budget and on time.
3. The Designer is your advocate.
The Designer will represent your best interests and use their expertise to guide the process to a successful completion, from start to finish. With a thorough and thoughtful plan that includes drawings and spreadsheets, the contractors will easily understand the details of the installations. Whether it be hardscaping, irrigation, lighting, drainage, or plant specification, the designer lays out the instructions for all involved to easily interpret.
4. Designers have better resources
There is a whole other world of materials and products available to designers that the average consumer might not have exposure to. Innovative building materials from permeable pavers to native plants, fences, gates, retaining walls, boulders, etc., are simply not available at the big box retailer or even on the Internet. The designer does the research and takes the time to specify those materials that conform to the perfect plan for the homeowner.
5. Designers… “make you look better than you even imagined you could look”.
This quote was taken directly from one of my clients testimonials. If you’ve chosen a really good designer, they will be able to merge your desires with their expertise and create the best possible outcome that will exceed your expectations.
The key to a successful renovation project, TRUST.
When I’m asked what is the most important factor in a successful landscape project, I, without hesitation answer, ‘trust“. Trust that the designer has only your best interests at heart and will conduct their business as if it were their own home. When the client/designer relationship is built on genuine trust, it will go along smoothly and offer much satisfaction for the next twenty plus years.
