Here are some tips from Moscarino Outdoor Creations that can help get you started on designing a landscape for beginners:
- Determine a realistic budget. Remember that a good landscaper can create a landscape in “phases” spread over time.
- If buying a new home, don’t sign up to use the builder’s landscape company. The price is usually bumped up 30 to 50 percent over an independent company’s quote since builders add large profits on top of their subcontractors’. Adding the expense into your mortgage can add thousands more to the job in interest alone.
- Choose a licensed and insured company. In case of an error by contractors, you have little to no recourse if you hired someone unlicensed.
Here are some things to think about before you meet with us:
- Look at homes like yours with a critical eye towards what you like and do not like about the landscape with the house and the lot.
- Think of plants that you like, and reasons you like them.
- Consider how much maintenance you want to have, and how much you are willing to do, in terms of plant care and landscape care.
- Are there existing plants on your property that have value? We frequently recommend leaving older, larger plants that are healthy and attractive as an anchor for the new landscape. This can also help blend the new and smaller plants with the neighborhood.
- What view to the house or building is the most important?
- Which views from inside are the most important?
- Are there views that you want to downplay?
- What is your favorite season?
- Which things do you like the most about your property and neighborhood?
Other Questions to Consider Are:
- Are there children living at home or visiting often? What ages? What part of the landscape should be planned for them?
- Is there a time of year when you are not home as much and are less aware of the beauty in the landscape?
- Do you have, or are you considering an irrigation system? Lighting?
- What is the largest number of people we should plan for using the outdoor entertainment/eating area?
- Do you want a nice landscape which suits your house and neighborhood or do you want a unique, artistic design with more opportunity to customize it with the designer?
- What drawings, surveys, or property descriptions do you have that we could borrow to help our firm or a surveyor get accurate measurements of existing conditions, building locations, paving, and property lines?
Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s Get Started! Contact us today to get a free estimate for a full-service landscaping solution or to request any lawn care service.
