8 Reasons It’s Important to Have a Landscape Designer

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.

1. Idea Creation — Landscape designers are aware of current industry trends and implementing different ideas together to create flow. The ability to come up with several ideas for a space is the unique trait that defines a person as a designer.

2. Site Inventory & Analysis — One of the first steps that should be taken, a designer should analyze the site to be developed. This process takes into account the many variables that dictate how to make the landscape design successful – for example: sun exposure, wind exposure, existing landscape elements to remain.

3. Conceptual Design — Once the site analysis and background research has been completed, the conceptual design phase begins. Concepts are created by placing certain elements (ex: trees, shrubs) and defining spaces (ex: entry place, focal points) to match landscape goals. This is where a designer brainstorms and creates multiple design concepts which eventually gel into the final landscape design.

4. Construction Planning — People can come up with many awesome ideas, but are they build-able? A landscape designer helps to bring visions to life by making sure concepts can not only be built, but also sustained. Also, many designers understand the construction principles of projects, and can help to explain these to clients – for example: slopes for drainage purposes, dig-out and base preparation for patios.

5. Common Pitfall Experience — Experienced designers plan with common pitfalls in mind. Many times people may not think about how a new landscape will affect drainage or the correct method for grouping certain types of plants for design flow. By designing with common pitfalls in mind, it allows for you to save money and speed up the construction process.

6. Budget Understanding — Many people have no idea how much a landscape enhancement/installation may cost. A landscape designer has the expertise of being able to analyze the material and installation time for different projects – from simple plantings to patios and retaining walls. Also, by defining a budget, a landscape designer can create solutions to fit within the defined amounts and offer advice on specific steps for multiple project phases.

7. Contractor Insight — Designers are also experts on the construction process. When presenting the design, the designer should be able to explain planting methods or construction specifications for certain elements such as patios and walls. Designers can interpret these methods through construction documents – which explain construction principles and can be utilized by a contractor.

8. Project Management —Many designers help to project manage many installations. Designers prioritize tasks and help lay out the installation sequence which paves the way for seamless execution during construction.