Topic:
Landscape Design
Landscaping can be broadly defined as the changes you make to the land around your home in order to make it more aesthetically pleasing. It covers everything from the plants that you choose to the extra structures that you can fit in your garden. Landscaping helps you create usable spaces for any outdoor activities you want to engage in and can create a safe and secure outdoor space for the entire family.
There are plenty of options for what you can do with the space around your house. You can create a perfect balance between plants and man-made structures, or create a sustainable area that feels more like a wilderness than a sculpted garden. Some people want to have plenty of indoor amenities, and outdoor dining rooms and kitchens are becoming more and more popular. Some people want water features that contain exotic fish, while others want natural fencing grown out of plants.
Choosing what sort of landscape design you want is the first step to creating a space that suits your needs and will keep you happy for years to come.
While it’s entirely possible to embark upon a landscaping project on your own, having a full-service landscaping company design your personal landscape offers a number of advantages:
A good custom landscape designer will take your needs into account and provide you with the landscape that you’ve always envisaged. If you undertake the project yourself, it’s likely that some aspects won’t come out like you want them, and your natural fencing may have big gaps, or your pond will go green without you knowing why. Having a professional with plenty of experience can help you avoid these unexpected complications and give you the garden that you want.
Not all residential landscapes are created the same. If you have an ultra-modern house, a rustic garden will detract from the value of your home and clash with the aesthetics. However, a lovely cottage will look great with some rustic landscaping, and this will increase the value of the property. Having a custom landscape designed by a professional will ensure that your outdoor area complements your house while still remaining efficient and something that you’ll enjoy all year round.
One of the largest challenges facing people who want to design their own gardens is the knowledge of which plants work well together and which ones don’t. There are plenty of plants that have different requirements for the amount of light they get, the amount of water they need, the fertilization they require, and which plants they can grow near.
Not knowing these details can result in a lot of wasted money as you plant foliage that won’t grow, or will grow poorly. Some homeowners choose the DIY route by visiting their local garden center for their plantings, but without the proper background knowledge, these projects aren’t always as successful — or as cost effective — as they would hope. A good custom landscape designer has the expertise to choose and care for the plants that will best suit the design that you want.
Once you’ve settled on a landscape design that suits your need and your budget, finding workers that can do the job to your standards can be incredibly hard. Going by word of mouth can result in unreliable labor that forces you to go over your time allocation and budget, and may even result in unsatisfactory work. If you decide to hire a custom landscape designer, make sure to find one that has a dedicated team that they know and trust. This will prevent many nasty surprises and ensure that the work is done well and on time.
Undertaking a custom landscape project can have a severe ecological impact on the surrounding area. For instance, if you live in a hot, arid area, having delicate flowers and a green lawn can drain the water table in the surrounding area, and will result in you having to spend money on irrigation systems and you will probably have to replace plants that are dying on a regular basis.
Having a custom landscape means that you can choose designs that are ecologically sound and protect the environment around you. Apart from making you feel good about your choices, this can have tangible benefits such as reduced maintenance costs for lawn care and a garden that is a haven for natural wildlife in the area.
Creating a beautiful custom landscape is not a “set it and forget it” undertaking. As a landscape grows and flourishes, you’ll want professionals who can not only design and build a custom landscape, but can continue assisting you with your ongoing landscaping needs. These can include considerations like lawn maintenance, mowing, sprinkler systems, weed control, seeding, aeration and more.
Finally, custom landscaping will increase the value of your house, both financially and in the pleasure that you’ll get from simple outdoor living. Investing in features like hardscape, patios, fire pits, landscape lighting, pavers and pergolas to create beautiful outdoor living spaces are a great way to maximize your investment in your landscaping. Having a custom landscape design means you’ve gotten something that you want and that complements the area around your home, as well as having something unique and personal.
The cost of custom landscaping for a suburban home can vary significantly based on several factors, including the size of the property, the desired design complexity, and the types of materials and plants chosen.
On average, homeowners can expect to invest anywhere from $20,000 to $60,000 or more for a basic custom landscaping project. This may include features such as planting new trees, shrubs, and flowers, installing a lawn, building pathways, and incorporating basic hardscaping elements. More elaborate designs with additional amenities like patios, water features, lighting, and irrigation systems, the cost can have additional costs.
It's essential to consult with a professional landscaper to get a tailored estimate based on your specific needs and vision, ensuring that the final result aligns with both the aesthetic preferences and your budget.
Instead of suffering with a sub-par garden that hasn’t been maintained for years and is showing its age, consider investing in a custom landscaping project. A professional landscape designer with years of experience will consider your needs while still designing a garden that works well with its surroundings, both in terms of aesthetics and ecological impact. Having a custom landscape will complement the design of your house while maintaining ecological integrity and should be something that is easy to maintain and will add value to your life for years to come.
To learn more about how a landscape designer can help you create a custom landscape for your own home, download our free ebook, Personalized Landscape Design: Why You Should Leave It to the Professionals.
