The Role of the Landscape Professional
Is a Landscaping Professional a Necessary Expense?
Oct 22, 2009
There are many tasks that a homeowner can handle on his own, especially if he has the time and the energy to invest in creating and maintaining the property. However, gardening is only part of the skill set required, as there may also be carpentry, brick or stone masonry, tree care, and perhaps irrigation systems to consider. Attempting to finish the work on weekends or during brief vacations may mean that the project is "never finished."
Advantages of Hiring a Landscape Professional
A landscape professional, on the other hand, devotes the required amount of time to the project to finish it in a timely fashion barring only weather and budget delays. He has the skills, or hires others with the appropriate skills, to complete all parts of the plan. He brings his own tools and equipment, so that the homeowner is not required to purchase or rent them.
In addition, the landscape architect who is certified as a professional by reason of his education and/or experience, will have the ability to provide a unique outcome designed specifically for that home, that property, and that homeowner (and his budget).
Even a small project such as a water garden will benefit from a professional designer's eye, while major projects such as a reconfigured driveway and entrance, or an inground pool and patio will be dramatically improved with the expertise of an experienced landscape architect. If the homeowner determines that he can afford the services of a professional and has a general idea of the scope of work he desires, he should be able to make an informed decision by doing his homework in advance.
Choosing a local landscaper or architect may involve hiring an individual who will act as contractor and who will subcontract to other independent companies to do specific tasks such as pouring concrete or laying sod. Other landscape professionals work for a larger firm whose employees are trained to handle all aspects of the project, thus enabling the homeowner to write one check instead of several.
Among the skills that a professional will bring to the project are a knowledge of:
- Types of plants, trees, and grasses that work well in the local growing zone, including native plants
- Kinds of local soil and fertilizers that will improve the local soil
- Pest and weed control, irrigation and water conservation/stormwater control
- Design standards, tools and software for creating a successful landscape
- Historically appropriate or compatible design
- Preservation and maintenance of historic properties and heritage plantings or trees
Finding a Local Landscape Professional
Sources for finding a good local landscape professional will include recommendations from friends, neighbors and family whose properties have been successfully completed to their satisfaction. Contacting the local or state chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects or the Professional Grounds Management Society will give you names and addresses of certified professionals in your area.
A search of the Web is an obvious place to start, particularly with such sites as Angie's List and the forums on the GardenWeb, where the homeowner can find recommendations and ratings for local companies and individuals who have completed similar work.
Be prepared with several direct questions when interviewing the candidates for the project. Interview at least three architects or firms and request written estimates before signing a contract. Some appropriate questions should be:
- How long have you been in business/has the firm been in business?
- Are you certified (and by whom)?
- How much time do you anticipate will be required to finish the project? The homeowner may require penalties for going too far over the alloted schedule.
- Are you acting as contractor with a good team of subcontractors? (Ask for their names.) Or, do you have a team of experienced employees for each portion of the project? (Ask for details).
- Do you clean up at the end of each day and remove all debris? Do you provide your own dumpster/trash bins?
- What brands of products do you use? (Familiar national brands like Scott's? or high-end brands available only to the trade? These will affect your budget but may be worth the added price.)
- What is your source for plants, shrubs and trees? If I request unusual or exotic plants, where will you get them?
- Are you bonded and insured?
- What payment schedule do you require? (Half of the balance to start, periodic payments thereafter?)
- Do you acquire all necessary permits? Are you present for any inspections?
- How do you handle conflict resolution?
- Provide at least 3 references from finished projects that are available to visit.
Remember to listen to those instincts and "clues" that serve as a good indicator of how well the homeowner and the landscape professional will get along. They will spend a great deal of time together and if there are any signals that the landscaper is a poor communicator, is not punctual, or is untruthful about his credentials or references – the homeowner should be prepared to continue searching for a better "fit".
References:
American Society of Landscape Architects - www.ASLA.org
GardenWeb Forums on Landscape Design - http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/design/
Green Industry Professionals by Georgene Bramlage, Suite101
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