Why should I have my Landscape professionally designed, when I can just throw a couple of trees and shrubs in the ground myself? Sound familiar? We hear this question all the time. The fact of the matter is, you can. But remember, Good Landscape Design goes far beyond plants. Professional Landscape Design is an art which deals with the specific arrangement of outdoor space for the enjoyment and satisfaction of the owner. The goals of a good design include: developing the site for maximum function and pleasure, creating an aesthetically pleasing relationship between the house and its surroundings, and keeping the maintenance of the site to a manageable level.
Good landscape design can significantly improve a home’s appearance and value by creating a personality of warmth, livability, and beauty for the site. “Research at Clemson University conducted a study of home sales and compared the results based on varying levels of landscape quality. Not only were type, size, and condition of the plantings considered, but also the overall design. Landscapers were rated “poor”, “good”, or “excellent”. Well-designed landscape homes had faster sales because of first impressions…” –Research Group, Clemson University 2001. Money Magazine had this to say; “Landscaping as a home improvement project has a recovery value of 100-200% if it is well done and harmonizes with the nearby surrounding. This compares to a kitchen overhead of 75-125% or a bathroom redesign of 80-120%.” Without good planning and design a person could waste a lot of time and money.
There are numerous other considerations for a good thorough design. Some of these might include: site accessibility, setback requirements, drainage, placement of paving, placement of buildings, elevation of buildings, safety, snow removal, or visual corridors. It is best to get a landscape designer involved in your project as early as possible in the process. This can save you time, money, and many long-term headaches. Give us a call with any design questions or concerns you may have.
