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How to Hire the Right Landscape Professional
Need help creating your personal Garden of Eden? Here's how to find the right pro for you
A garden designer is not necessarily a landscape architect, but a landscape architect can be a garden designer; not to be confused with a landscape gardener, horticulturalist, landscaper or landscape contractor; and that’s before you even think about defining what a landscape artist is (is that like a sculpture?). Here is the low-down on finding the right landscape expert for your job and a few tips on how to get the most from the process.
Find a landscape professional in your area
Find a landscape professional in your area
Know your budget
The rule of thumb is to invest 10 per cent of your property’s worth into landscaping. Without a doubt, a well-designed and maintained garden will add value to your home, but if you haven’t planted the money tree yet, don’t worry. Start planning now, regardless – it will save you money and provide for a better outcome in the long run. Discuss your budget and possible staging options with your landscape architect throughout the design process. The majority of wonderful things that unfold in our lives are due to the plans we put in place.
The rule of thumb is to invest 10 per cent of your property’s worth into landscaping. Without a doubt, a well-designed and maintained garden will add value to your home, but if you haven’t planted the money tree yet, don’t worry. Start planning now, regardless – it will save you money and provide for a better outcome in the long run. Discuss your budget and possible staging options with your landscape architect throughout the design process. The majority of wonderful things that unfold in our lives are due to the plans we put in place.
Who do you call?
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. There are talented designers and garden makers across all fields of the landscaping profession. I split them into two camps: the dreamers and the doers – you need both to create a beautifully designed and well-executed garden. Here is a general guide to where the strengths lie within the various professions.
There is no clear-cut answer to this question. There are talented designers and garden makers across all fields of the landscaping profession. I split them into two camps: the dreamers and the doers – you need both to create a beautifully designed and well-executed garden. Here is a general guide to where the strengths lie within the various professions.
The ‘Dreamers’
Landscape architects and garden designers are the dreamers. Landscape architects are specialists that are university trained (over four to five years) to provide bespoke solutions for your garden woes. Garden designers are trained at a TAFE by studying similar subjects as the landscape architect, over a period of 18 months or by undertaking a correspondence course. Regardless of the length of study, valuable experience is then gained by working once they have qualified. A good designer will listen to your needs and ideas, make her own observations, and add value; giving you a truly original outcome. You are buying their knowledge, expertise and experience. Contrary to popular belief, engaging a landscape architect/designer does not have to be expensive.
Landscape architects and garden designers are the dreamers. Landscape architects are specialists that are university trained (over four to five years) to provide bespoke solutions for your garden woes. Garden designers are trained at a TAFE by studying similar subjects as the landscape architect, over a period of 18 months or by undertaking a correspondence course. Regardless of the length of study, valuable experience is then gained by working once they have qualified. A good designer will listen to your needs and ideas, make her own observations, and add value; giving you a truly original outcome. You are buying their knowledge, expertise and experience. Contrary to popular belief, engaging a landscape architect/designer does not have to be expensive.
The ‘Doers’
Landscape contractors and gardeners are the doers. They bring garden designs to life by constructing and maintaining them. They undertake a similar course of study as landscape designers but specialise in the building of gardens and the care of the planting. Because of the close alignment of the professions, it is not uncommon to see professionals come together under one umbrella to form a one-stop shop, commonly called a landscape design-construct-maintain company.
Landscape contractors and gardeners are the doers. They bring garden designs to life by constructing and maintaining them. They undertake a similar course of study as landscape designers but specialise in the building of gardens and the care of the planting. Because of the close alignment of the professions, it is not uncommon to see professionals come together under one umbrella to form a one-stop shop, commonly called a landscape design-construct-maintain company.
Landscape design, build and maintain
I spent a couple of years employed as the sole landscape architect within a design, build and maintain landscape business, so here are a few pointers from someone in the know. There is much to be said of the ease of having the design, construction and maintenance of your garden under one roof. It is very convenient for you as the client to have the whole process streamlined and managed by one company. Their vision will be clear and singular, which can be wonderful if it is aligned with yours.
Before heading down this route, there are a couple of caveats. There is a tendency for these one-stop shops to provide cookie-cutter design or a design by numbers type of approach … because it is easy. There are many fine examples where this is simply not true, but keep in mind that the money in garden creation lies in the construction and upkeep and not in the design. This is not to say you won’t get a beautiful result, but that potentially the talents of the company may lay more in the construction and upkeep and not with their design abilities.
Another thing to think about is that by electing to go with an all-in-one contractor, you forfeit the opportunity to get multiple quotes for the construction of your garden and, as with all building projects, prices can vary wildly.
I spent a couple of years employed as the sole landscape architect within a design, build and maintain landscape business, so here are a few pointers from someone in the know. There is much to be said of the ease of having the design, construction and maintenance of your garden under one roof. It is very convenient for you as the client to have the whole process streamlined and managed by one company. Their vision will be clear and singular, which can be wonderful if it is aligned with yours.
Before heading down this route, there are a couple of caveats. There is a tendency for these one-stop shops to provide cookie-cutter design or a design by numbers type of approach … because it is easy. There are many fine examples where this is simply not true, but keep in mind that the money in garden creation lies in the construction and upkeep and not in the design. This is not to say you won’t get a beautiful result, but that potentially the talents of the company may lay more in the construction and upkeep and not with their design abilities.
Another thing to think about is that by electing to go with an all-in-one contractor, you forfeit the opportunity to get multiple quotes for the construction of your garden and, as with all building projects, prices can vary wildly.
How to choose
Choosing the right landscape professional can feel daunting but by the time you have done your research and established a clearer vision of your needs, style and budget, your research will have allowed you to become familiar with the pros whose style you admire. Visual media sites such as Houzz, Instagram and Pinterest, along with word of mouth from friends and family, are great ways to find someone to suit your needs. Speak to several experts about your project. They will be happy to field your questions, provide references and show you examples of their work. You may even be able to speak to previous clients, or visit gardens they have been involved with. Finding the right fit for you will be a balance of design ability, services provided, fees charged, cost of construction and your personal rapport.
Choosing the right landscape professional can feel daunting but by the time you have done your research and established a clearer vision of your needs, style and budget, your research will have allowed you to become familiar with the pros whose style you admire. Visual media sites such as Houzz, Instagram and Pinterest, along with word of mouth from friends and family, are great ways to find someone to suit your needs. Speak to several experts about your project. They will be happy to field your questions, provide references and show you examples of their work. You may even be able to speak to previous clients, or visit gardens they have been involved with. Finding the right fit for you will be a balance of design ability, services provided, fees charged, cost of construction and your personal rapport.
Still confused?
In a nutshell, if you have some tricky challenges or are looking for an aesthetic solution beyond your own capabilities, you will benefit from hiring the expertise of a landscape architect or designer. Their fee will more than pay for itself by saving you from costly mistakes. They will save you time, money and a whole lot of hassle. Your design will be original, site specific and address your personal needs.
If you are sure of your ideas and don’t question your direction, then head straight to your landscaper or gardener. They have the expertise to be able to execute your vision. They will be able to help you work through design issues as they arise.
It isn’t all or nothing. If you are fairly clear on where you are headed, and don’t need pretty drawings, you can engage a landscape architect/designer by the hour. They can help you work through your tougher design dilemmas, before moving on to a landscaper for construction.
In a nutshell, if you have some tricky challenges or are looking for an aesthetic solution beyond your own capabilities, you will benefit from hiring the expertise of a landscape architect or designer. Their fee will more than pay for itself by saving you from costly mistakes. They will save you time, money and a whole lot of hassle. Your design will be original, site specific and address your personal needs.
If you are sure of your ideas and don’t question your direction, then head straight to your landscaper or gardener. They have the expertise to be able to execute your vision. They will be able to help you work through design issues as they arise.
It isn’t all or nothing. If you are fairly clear on where you are headed, and don’t need pretty drawings, you can engage a landscape architect/designer by the hour. They can help you work through your tougher design dilemmas, before moving on to a landscaper for construction.
Last word…
Regardless of your chosen path through the fields of the landscape professions, beware of the deconstruction phase. People who have sailed through the design process are often taken off guard by the destruction of their former garden. Take a deep breath, and have trust in the process, and that you have done your homework and chosen well for your project. Regardless of the stress you may feel, sit back and enjoy watching your new garden come to life.
Click here to find a landscape professional in your area
MORE
What a Landscape Architect Really Does
Cheap Tricks to Landscape Your Garden Without Spending the Earth
Take the Headache Out of Gardening With Low-Care Landscaping
Regardless of your chosen path through the fields of the landscape professions, beware of the deconstruction phase. People who have sailed through the design process are often taken off guard by the destruction of their former garden. Take a deep breath, and have trust in the process, and that you have done your homework and chosen well for your project. Regardless of the stress you may feel, sit back and enjoy watching your new garden come to life.
Click here to find a landscape professional in your area
MORE
What a Landscape Architect Really Does
Cheap Tricks to Landscape Your Garden Without Spending the Earth
Take the Headache Out of Gardening With Low-Care Landscaping
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Your first step when tackling your garden is defining what you want. It sounds simple enough, but when you consider the different users within your home, it can become difficult to prioritise everyone’s needs and wants. Once you have established the direction of your garden redesign, it is time for the fun stuff – collating inspirational ideas and images that have caught your eye. Starting an Ideabook on Houzz is a wonderful tool and one that is easily shared with your chosen professional.