Are Landscape Designers Worth It?

We just completed renovations on our outbuildings and now want assistance with the garden and yard. Are landscape designers, however, really worth it?

Hiring a professional landscape designer to make big modifications to your garden and yard might increase the value of your house by 5-20 percent once the landscaping job is finished. To assure a high quality of service, choose a member of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Let’s delve further into this subject (pun intended!) to learn more about what a landscape architect does, how much they charge, and what questions you should ask when hiring one…

Is Hiring a Landscape Designer Worth It?

If you have a decent-sized yard and aren’t sure what to do with it, hiring a professional is absolutely worth it.

A landscape designer will consider the size, location, aspect, and climate of your garden, as well as how you use it (relaxing, growing vegetables, cooking, parking, and children’s play area), to create designs that complement our outside space and lifestyle.

Professional designers will spot chances that we mere mortals may miss. They may also incorporate features like water harvesting to ensure that all of the elements of your garden operate together.

They’ll look at how you utilize the garden as the “flow” of movement around it, just like a building’s architect (how people, pets and even vehicles interact with the space).

They’ll draw out designs that show you exactly how your garden will appear, as well as provide detailed directions to the contractors. Take a look at this brief (yet hypnotic) footage of landscape design in action to see how difficult this step is.

A landscape designer will, of course, consider your budget. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that hiring a garden specialist is only for the rich.

How Much Should You Spend On Landscape Design? (Why is it So Expensive?)

Landscaping costs money since you’re paying for skill and experience, just like any other professional service. What should you budget for landscape design? The suggested amount is up to 10% of the property’s worth. The fees of the designer or architect will cover a portion of this expense.

As a result, it’s a good idea to begin your landscaping quest by speaking with a knowledgeable local realtor. What is the current value of your home, and would a manicured garden increase it?

A landscape architect consultation will cost between $100 and $150. Depending on the intricacy of the project, having them put out a plan for you might cost anywhere from $300 to $2,500.

Visit the American Society of Landscape Architects website to learn more about hiring an architect.

Should I Hire a Landscaper Or Do it Myself?

This is largely dependent on the state of your garden, your talents, and how much free time you have. It’s a good idea to call in experts if you require any intricate hard landscaping or service design.

You could decide to design and build your new yard yourself if it’s a modest and uncomplicated undertaking and you know exactly what you want to achieve.

If you’re tackling it alone and the project is more involved than a few additional raised flower beds, check with your local planning department or association beforehand to ensure your designs are legal (an architect should take care of any local regs or paperwork).

How Do I Hire a Landscape Designer?

Check the ASLA website or ask around in your area. Don’t be bashful if you find a garden you like in the neighborhood: knock and ask. Your praises will be flattering to them if they made it themselves, and if they paid a designer, you should get a favorable recommendation.

You may also conduct a local Google search. A frequently maintained Google My Business profile and website are essential for any landscape designer who is up to date on the newest marketing methods.

Word of mouth is also a great approach to finding any local trade. If possible, speak with several landscape architects and ask them a few questions…

What Questions Should I Ask a Landscape Designer?

If you’re considering working with a landscape designer, you should ask them the following questions:

• What kind of services do they provide? Only design, project management, full design and construction, and continuous maintenance?
• Is it possible to show examples of their work? Request to examine their portfolio and any past ideas, preferably in person.
• What is their fee structure? Is there a “menu” of services from which you may choose to keep on budget?
• Will they come to your house for a consultation, and if so, will it be a free, no-obligation service or will there be a charge? (If you work with them, the designer will frequently waive this fee.)
• When will they be able to begin, and what are the timelines? How do they function?
• If you choose a design and build service, you’ll need to know about pricing (including services and materials), deadlines, contractors, and other details.

Does Landscaping increase Home Value?

We performed some study on this and found that there isn’t much agreement! According to our results, landscaping may increase the value of your home by 5 to 20%.

However, it appears that everyone agrees that it adds value (though whether it’s worth it depends on how much you have to pay).

Consult a realtor early on in the process. The added value will be determined by what you’ve done to the garden (will there be a real tangible benefit, such as a new driveway or irrigation system, or will it be primarily planting focused? ), where you live (are all the other houses in the neighborhood landscaped? ), and the size of your plot.

Naturally, how it appears now and its present pre-landscaped value will play a big role in determining an increase. There won’t be much of a difference if your home currently looks great.

When Should I Hire a Landscape Designer?

There are a few instances where hiring professional assistance is a no-brainer. Some examples are:

• If your yard requires complicated hardscaping, particularly if it includes services for any special features such as irrigation, outdoor buildings, lighting, paths, and so on. Designers that specialize in sustainable gardening are also available.
• If you’re considering a more specialized planting pattern and want horticulture assistance,
• Have you recently moved into a new home? You’re probably sitting in a desolate wasteland right now, and a designer will know just how to use it to bring your story to life.
• Are you considering selling? Maybe your house has been on the market for a while, or your yard isn’t up to par with your neighbors’. A professional landscaping team’s spruce-up might be the X element in achieving that sought curb appeal.
• You take a glance around your yard and have no idea what to do with it. It could be worth paying for only an hour or two of expert consulting to get some suggestions.

What’s the Difference Between a Landscape Architect/Designer and a Landscape Contractor?

The landscape architect plans the scheme and produces the drawings, just like with structures, while the landscape contractor executes the job. In some circumstances, the contractor may be able to perform both tasks.

If you choose a design and build a business, they will offer you both a designer and a contractor. The designer may serve as the project manager, or the contractor may assume this function once the plans have been agreed upon.

Any subcontractors, such as electricians, will be organized by the contractor.

The contractor may also be able to provide continuing upkeep for your new and enhanced yard in the future, similar to a traditional landscaping service.

Final Words

If you’re thinking about doing some substantial yard work, as we are, hiring a landscape designer is a great idea.

Having a professional plan for your landscaping job may increase the value of your house by 5-20%, so it’s definitely worth considering.

After all, you’d usually hire an architect to make structural improvements to your home, so why not do the same with large yard renovations?