Top 5 Questions to Ask when Choosing a Landscape Designer
Hiring contract work is always tough. It's intimidating to find someone who fits the bill and will deliver. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to ensure your garden grows (pun intended) into your dream space.
1. Do you need a designer?
I told myself for months that we needed to replace the faucet in our bathroom. It was so ugly and poorly designed but I put it off until I got fed up and grabbed the first one I saw at the local hardware store. And I don’t love it. Landscape usually trends towards a similar chain of events. The number of clients I've met who tried making their landscape better piece by piece based on what was bothering them the most is countless. I think it's better to get a professional opinion if you can from the get-go to at least have a course of action in mind. I had the pleasure of having a consultation with Allison Shepstone of Cambray Design before we started working on our kitchen. That meeting not only gave us the confidence to move forward as well as some fantastic ideas, but there was one item that she picked out and honestly, that one item was the most loved things by everyone who walks through our door. It can be mind-boggling trying to know what would be successful (hello, Analysis Paralysis, old friend) and a professional can really help narrow it down.
2. What if I can't afford to do everything at once?
Hardly anyone can. No construction is cheap. Hiring a designer is the best thing you can do: they'll help you come up with a master plan and suggest ways of either bringing cost down or doing things in phases. Implementing an overall design in phases is the BEST way to do things affordably. For quick immediate changes, take a look here for other ways to bring down cost). That ensures that everything is cohesive and thoughtful.
3. Where can I find a designer?
Technology reigns supreme, but referrals are even better. See someone's front yard that you love? ask them who they used. Referrals are usually the best clients because both you and the designer have a similar understanding of what can be accomplished because of a friend or neighbor's experience. The first thing I do my best to establish with a new client is trust. If you already trust that your designer and their vision, you’re set up for success.
4. How do I know it's a good fit?
Just like finding a good hairstylist, you want to be comfortable with the person designing your landscape. It's YOUR space. You need to be comfortable in your own backyard. Finding someone with similar goals and interests is really helpful. Is it important to you to create an environmentally-positive space? Find someone through a local native nursery or check out local lectures on the topic. You and your designer don’t need to perfectly align in your priorities as people (everyone is different and different is good!), but you want someone who will look out for your best interest. To me, the best designers are thoughtful and intentional with their looks.
5. What should I have ready?
It’s true: Pictures are worth a thousand words. Pinterest boards are always SUPER helpful. A modern Spanish garden might not mean the same thing to you as it does to me. But showing me a picture of large agaves in rows with rosemary flowing between them allows us to speak the same language. You might not know your plants - that's okay! That's MY job. Come with an open mind. Clients are usually happiest when they tell me how they want to use the space and maybe some indication of looks they like, and then allow me to run free from there. When you've lived in your home for 3+ years, you get used to functioning in it a certain way. A fresh set of eyes can really brighten up a space.
And that’s about it! Shop around, look for someone you jive with. But once you find someone that feels right, STOP THERE! Don’t push too hard. Landscapes are all about FEELING and experience. Approach the design process similarly and you’ll get to where you need to be. See you in the garden!
