It would be impossible to do so. So how do you find out what kind of services a professional landscape company should provide? The first step is to determine which types of plants grow well where you live and work. Then you need to decide on the best way to achieve these goals.
This will depend upon many factors such as your budget, time available, and other priorities. If you're looking for an inexpensive but effective solution, then a landscape contractor might be just what you need. They may not have the expertise necessary to create a beautiful garden layout with plants from around the world; however they'll probably come close!
Although the term landscape architect refers to a professional that plans and designs public gardens, parks and private gardens as well. They also work on conservation projects and with government agencies on issues such as pollution control and land use.
Whenever they're planning any type of construction, architects must take many factors into consideration. Is it safe?
- Efficient?
- Attractive? A good landscape architect will make sure the location for your house or garden is safe, functional, attractive and in harmony with its setting.
Here are important things you should understand about different types of landscaping services:
1. DesignWhen most people think about landscape design they think about the artistic side of it, such as picking plants, trees, rocks and the occasional flower that will prettify the property. The design also includes structural elements such as patios, walkways, lighting, water features and even outdoor furniture to make the property more functional or comfortable.
While the artistic side of landscape design certainly draws the attention, one of the biggest parts is making sure the site is ready for construction. When it comes to building a new home or adding a patio, outdoor kitchen or flowerbeds, the landscape designs plays a major role in determining if such construction is even possible on the site. This requires an examination of the ground to see if it will hold up the addition or new patio. This also involves assessing how much soil must be hauled in or removed to make such construction possible. It is very common for a property to be very appealing but there isn't much that can be done with it due to the limitations set by Mother Nature.
The depth and concentration of large stones or boulders, large pieces of wood, large amounts of hard packed soil or a high water table all play a major role in what can and can't be built on the site. This part of landscape design is called engineering and plays a major part of any construction project. A professional landscape designer will use software such as AutoCAD and other programs to see if the construction that is desired can be achieved.
One of the most common mistakes made by homeowners is to ignore this step and attempt to save money by hiring someone without the proper equipment or expertise. Excavating companies don't always have the design software required to properly assess the site, so they'll just say it can't be done. The problem with that is they're usually right!
If you don't go through the proper channels and attempt construction against the advice of your equipment supplier or engineer, it could cost you a lot more money in the long run due to possible foundation issues, waterproofing problems and more.
2. Installation
During this phase, the actual installation takes place. This is where the fun part begins because you can actually see the landscape slowly taking shape. It is important to have a good working relationship with the people doing the work, other wise there could be problems down the road. Always be on site or at least check up on the project at least once a week if possible. If there are any issues that come up, you want to know right away so that the problem doesn't become a big one later.
Because this is the fun part of the project, there also can be problems with the workers not showing up on time, showing up drunk or not showing up at all. This happens a lot, so always be sure that you have a back-up plan.
Through this process, you may find that your original design isn't exactly what you want or you find some other cool thing at a garden center that would look better. That's OK! Move things around and change things up, it's your landscape.
3. Maintenance
Just because you've hand a finished product doesn't mean that your work is over. A proper maintenance program will help ensure that the life of your landscape is preserved and your customers (and more importantly you) are happy with the final project.
Once a year you should have an irrigation system inspection to be sure everything is in working condition. You may also need to add any repair or replacement pieces along the way. Having a professional do this not only ensures that it is done right but will also help with saving you time and money in the long run.
The client has invested a lot of money in their landscape design and installation. Why wouldn't they want to preserve that investment? It's like having a brand new car or truck. Taking care of it is not only a smart thing to do, it extends the life and gives the customer more usage out of their product. This will help ensure future sales as people are generally willing to pay to keep something in good condition if they have already benefited from it in the past.
And finally, the clincher…check up on your projects! Always be sure to visit a job site to check on the work. The owner or manager may not know what you had in mind when the plans were drawn up if they aren't a gardener themselves. Someone may have made an incorrect assumption and the result could be a misunderstanding.
If you can take care of any problems right away, it makes the whole process a lot smoother and keeps people from worrying that something is wrong. After the project is complete, be sure to keep maintenance up so that the landscape can keep looking beautiful for as long as possible! Trust Your Job To True Experts. Get a quote in a minute call us now at (604) 229-5630
