How To Find The Right Landscape Designer?

Creating an outdoor living space that you’ll love forever starts with choosing the right design and build partner. There are so many decisions to make, so you must find the right landscape designer. But how do you know which designer is right for you?

Knowing where to start is always the hardest part, but choosing the right landscape designer often depends on what you hope to accomplish. Depending on your objective, you may need a landscape designer or landscape architect. Not sure of the differences, or who you need for what job? Check out the differences between a landscape designer and landscape architect in our blog. 

Once you have a basic understanding of what you are hoping to do, it’s time to find a landscape design company. With a direction in mind, you’ll be able to make the best choices in evaluating and finding a design company. 

Armed with a project vision, you’ll be able to make the most of your research efforts to choose the right landscape designer for your yard.

Here are 5 things to consider when choosing a landscaping design company.

#1 KNOW WHAT YOU WANT

No one is expecting you to be a backyard design expert, but it helps to have an idea about what you are looking for. Are you hoping to beautify your yard with new plants, grasses, or garden features? Or do you dream of water features, stonework, and structural changes to your yard?

If you know the size of your yard, amount of sun exposure, as well as soil type, potential partners will have a much better idea of whether or not what you want is possible. 

Armed with a plan and basic specifications, all that’s left is a budget and timeline. Being able to present these ideas to a potential design partner will give them a better understanding of your needs and help them know if they are the right partner for you!

You can download our FREE checklist to get started.

 

#2 DO YOUR RESEARCH

Before you start making appointments with every landscape design company in the phonebook (do those still exist?), take time to research local companies online. Check out reviews from previous clients who had positive and negative experiences. You can use Facebook and other social media to get advice and recommendations from friends too.

Look for an online portfolio, and don’t be afraid to ask to visit past projects and yards of recent clients.

 

#3 COMPARE STYLES

Take some time to make a “mood board,” mark some pages in your favourite backyard design magazine, start a Pinterest board, or snap some quick pictures of your neighbour’s backyard redesign. 

Having a specific aesthetic in mind will help you compare to potential design partners. If you want a classic European style garden design, it doesn’t make much sense to start working with a company who specializes in super modern Asian design.

 

#4 AGREE ON A SHARED GOAL

We’ve used the term “landscape design partner” in this guide, and it’s no accident. At Wright Landscape Service, that’s how we feel about our clients (we don’t even like using that word). 

When it comes to backyard design and build projects, we see our “clients” as partners. We work together to bring a design dream to life. When you’re looking for a design partner, you need to find someone you can work closely with. The stakes can often be high, so trust and respect are essential for both parties.

The best outcomes for backyard designs come from a close collaboration between the landscape professional and the client. Make sure you feel comfortable communicating your vision and make sure your potential landscape partner can feel comfortable talking with you too.

 

#5 RESPECT THE PROCESS

The design of outdoor living space is like any artistic endeavour, it takes time and effort to create something beautiful. It’s a process with essential steps taken to ensure success. A great landscape professional will take the time to help you understand those steps and make you comfortable knowing the ins and outs of the process. 

Don’t be afraid to insist on a comprehensive contract that documents an outline all the deliverables for your backyard design project. Ask your design partner to be transparent about timelines, budgets, the scope of proposed work, installation costs, terms of payment and guarantees.

As a partner in the design process, you should know what’s going on at any given time. But, as a partner, you should also understand that artistic processes rarely work out as planned. Know the process, but respect that great things take time and flexibility. Great work doesn’t always follow a predefined schedule! Look for a landscape designer who is open and transparent about the changes that may arise in the process.

If you’re ready to take your yard from blah to bliss, we’d love to help!

Download our our backyard design checklist and start planning the backyard of your dreams! 

Still looking for some inspiration? We’ve got you covered with a free lookbook.