.

LANDSCAPE

Why hire a Landscape Designer?

If your landscape design project incorporates multiple elements, paying a qualified landscape designer will be a worthwhile investment. Projects with patios, pergolas, swimming pools, and strategically selected plants requires time to meticulously plan. Without using a landscape designer that spends dozens of hours planning out the details, you could end up blowing your budget or ending up with a design that turns into an installation nightmare.

You may be tempted by the offer of a landscape contractor to not charge for their landscape design, but remember you most often get what you pay for

Planning out details such as making sure irrigation functions properly, plants that are installed with the right light exposure, or outdoor kitchens or pools that consider your site’s slopes, utility lines, and city codes requires time. If a company is offering to just give you a plan for nothing, be careful that you aren’t heading for future headaches.

It’s also been an unfortunate and common experience for us to meet potential customers that have been given an impractical design by an independent landscape designer that ended up being drastically out of their budget when finally estimated.

Unfortunately, most independent landscape designers generally don’t have the actual experience of installing their designs. This is an unfortunate and common challenge. They often create a design and send it out to bid to numerous contractors to find the cheapest way to get the project done in their overextended budget. Using subcontractors to install their work often leads to poor quality installation or later realizing that the proposed design will be a construction impossibility.

After meeting with a landscape designer to discuss the basic scope of your project we seek to find a budget range that will include the elements you require to transform your property. After agreeing on the scope and general cost, a landscape design fee is collected (some smaller projects do not require a fee).

What can I Get When I hire a Landscape Design?

Your landscape design should lead to no unpleasant surprises. Our goal is to ask the right questions along the way to make sure we are on the same page with your goals. Our highly-experienced landscape designers and crews are not subcontracted.

From design to completion, the following work is all done in-house to make sure your project is a continuous success:

• Research of municipal guidelines (prior to design process) to make sure the proposed solution is a viable option

• Signed design agreement that outlines the included elements of the plan within an agreed budge

• Computer-generated landscape design based off of exact measurements of your property

• 3-Dimensional Rendering and animation

• Specifications of products to be used

• Multiple meetings with your designer to keep the process on task to the agreed specification

• Estimate of Project Cost - upon request

• Construction contract - upon request

• Engineering as needed - upon request

• City permits pulled - upon request

• Final walk-through with the designer and project manager

One distinct advantage in our process is the 3-Dimensional plan that allows you to see an exact rendering of how your project will look when completed. This 3-D plan not only helps your ability to envision finished product, but will also guide our installation team with taking a concept on paper and producing it exactly as you and your designer have planned.

After revisions have been made and the final review of the project is completed with your landscape designer, a construction plan is put in place to exceed your expectations. Construction begins and after a short amount of time, your landscape dreams become reality!

DOES LANDSCAPING REQUIRE A PERMIT?

The short answer is, no, typically adding landscaping to your home does not require a permit. The longer answer is a bit more complex…

For a single-family home, adding items like individual plants, or even new sod can usually be done without a permit. Along with landscape lighting, mulch, border, and other landscaping items. Especially if you do it yourself.

If you live in a townhouse or community managed by a homeowner association, they may have specific rules and regulations you must follow for any new exterior improvements, including landscaping. Oftentimes, planned communities utilize a landscape contractor to maintain common areas, while homeowners must maintain their own yards. Always check with your association prior to tackling your next landscape project.

In general, here are some things to consider when planning your landscaping:

ELECTRICAL

If you are digging near underground electrical, gas, or other utilities, you’ll need to contact the utility provider, so they can mark the location of these underground obstructions. Especially if you are digging lines for new irrigation.

FENCING

Permitting does come into play when you add or replace a fence, or plan to add any? Sort of structure near your property line. Your city, county, or state may have additional rules and regulations in place as well and may require CAD or professional renderings of the fencing. In addition, a homeowner or community association may have other regulations you must meet, including the type, color, and height of fences. Unless you live in a rural or relatively unregulated area, doing your own fencing will require some legwork.

TREE REMOVAL OR TRIMMING

Another area to consider is the removal or trimming of any trees. Sometimes local ordinances require permitting before doing anything to trees on your property and, on occasion, there are special ordinances for protected species.

Other major landscaping additions may require permits, such as building or repairing a retaining wall, drainage, and sewer. Anything that has the potential to impact surrounding properties will probably necessitate permitting.

Additionally, if you are required to obtain a permit for your landscaping project, that project will also require an inspection when it is complete. Ensure that you or your contractor finalize your project by getting any permitted work inspected.

Using a professional landscaper is one way to overcome the stress of pulling permits. This would be included in your contract and done seamlessly.  A professional landscape contractor will also be able to guide you and knows how to navigate homeowner associations, community development districts, and government regulations.