How Do I Know if I Need to Hire a Landscape Designer?
When it comes time to build your dream landscape a landscape designer can imagine possibilities you simply wouldn’t think of on your own. In addition, their experience and expertise will help you avoid common mistakes and ensure you get it right the first time. Anyone beginning a project in their outdoor spaces can benefit from hiring a landscape designer when decisions will be made involving plant selection, patio materials, irrigation, or more complex situations such as pools, retaining walls, lighting, or pergolas.
Our team of landscape designers in Sonoma County has 15+ years of experience designing and building landscapes in the area and another 5 years of experience in Marin, so we are well equipped, local experts in the field!
What is The Difference Between a Landscaper and Landscape Designer?
Landscapers are generally the technicians who are in the field actually installing the materials, whether that’s plants, patios, or other features. Landscape designers are specialized experts who help you plan the landscape prior to installation by measuring the site, testing the soil type, inspecting the existing irrigation equipment, and creating detailed plans for you to review prior to moving into the construction phase.
Design-Build Companies
The best resource for your project is to look for a design-build company, such as Inspired Landscapes, that has both a design team and installation team as part of the same company. A design build company will be carefully planning your landscape while considering all conditions and factors on the site that might impact the final installation including drainage, grading, plants that will survive in your specific planting conditions, and will do so with extra care because they will be responsible for installing it.
Precise Pricing
Still not sure if you need a landscape contractor? Consider that they will be able to provide precise pricing estimates at every step of the design process because they actually build landscapes themselves. Designers, on the other hand, might be able to make rough estimates they are often inaccurate and can lead to disappointing outcomes when the project is sent to bid with landscapers who are often more expensive than the designer anticipated.
How to Pick a Landscape Designer?
When picking a landscape designer thoroughly review their portfolio to see if their aesthetic matches yours as well as to see they have installed many successful projects. Ask for references and call their previous clients to get a feel for how they work and if you will collaborate well with them. If possible, visit sites of projects they’ve completed to see how their vision comes to life and if they are able to execute their designs properly in the construction phase.
Know the Process
It’s important to know what to expect from your landscape contractor. Speak with them thoroughly about their process to understand what specific types of plans they provide, will you be able to give feedback and request revisions, will the plans be computer or hand drawn, and understand how billing and budgeting works so you don’t incur unexpected costs early on. Before hiring them, ask them for some general ideas about how they might approach your landscape to make sure they understand your goals and intent for how to use your outdoor spaces and that they aren’t going to run off with their own ideas that aren’t in line with what you want to build.
Ready to Transform Your Outdoor Space?
At Inspired Landscapes, we bring over 20 years of local expertise in Sonoma and Marin Counties to every project, ensuring your dream landscape becomes a reality. Whether you’re planning a simple patio or a complex outdoor oasis with pools, retaining walls, and lighting, our design-build approach guarantees precision, quality, and a seamless experience from concept to completion.
Contact us today or give us a call at (707) 395-7474 to schedule a consultation with some of the most experienced landscape designers in Sonoma County and start designing the outdoor space you’ve always wanted!
