– motivates you to install yourself
– motivates you to book install company
– saves money in material
– takes mystery out of knowing what to do
– no waste of time
– no waste of money
– no waste of effort
– narrows down material choices
– allows you to visualize the outcome
– allows you to do install in phases
– gives you a starting point
– preparation dispels pressure
– reduce uncertainty
The landscape is the first thing people see when they come to your home. It gives your home curb appeal, value, and a sense of place that reflects throughout the neighborhood.
The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) recommends that homeowners invest 10% of the home’s value in landscaping. Good landscaping can add up to 28% to overall home value, says landscape economist John Harris. Taking your landscaping from “good” to “excellent,” in terms of design, condition, and placement, can add 6% to 7% to a home’s value, according to a Clemson University study of homes in Greenville, S.C.
Here are some essentials to consider for a valuable landscape:
Trees
– Enjoyable space – trees provide shade areas and wind protection.
– Storm water runoff – trees block and suck up water running off your property
– Carbon dioxide reduction – CO2 contributes to climate change
– Energy savings – Shade trees cool homes in summer; windbreaks help warm them in winter.
Native Plants
– Lower maintenance – Indigenous plantings thrive without the extra TLC.
– Help wildlife – create natural backyard habitats for birds, butterflies, and other animals looking for places to roost or feed.
– Sustainability – plants and rain gardens filter and distribute runoff underground, preventing storm water from seeping into basements and overwhelming municipal sewers.
Lighting
– Night light – lighting paints your home at night, highlighting your other great landscaping choices and directing guests to your home’s focal point — the front door.
– Safety – It protects against slips and falls.
– Security – lighting adds security and can reduce burglaries.
– Feel homier – Soft lighting on pathways and plants feels warm and inviting.
Walkways
– Welcome guests – gives an inviting feel to your home entry.
– Direction – paths direct people where to go and also allows you to direct people to certain areas.
– Leads the eye – walkways lead usually to a point of entry or focal point, they direct our eye to run to certain areas of focus.
Knowing what to do to have a stunning landscape can be quite an intimidating task. There’s a lot more to the design process then just having a few matching shrubs. In order to have functionality, style, and flow, it’s important to have a landscape designer. The design process can be multi-stepped for any level of project. Even if you plan on installing everything yourself, it’s always best to start with a plan. Here’s a brief list showing the reasons hiring a landscape designer is the way to go.
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