Many people feel that when they are ready to design a landscape, that a
landscape architect is necessary. They do not feel that their natural tastes
or inclinations are “correct,” and they feel that they may irrevocably
ruin their yard if they try something on their own. While it is true that
some people may cause irreversible damage to their homes when they try their
hand at design without a landscape architect, what they do not realize is
that their problems have very little to do with design. A landscape architect
will not actually install your features or plant your flowers, trees, and
shrubs. That is up to you. You either have to do it yourself or hire someone
to follow the plan drawn out by the architect. So, the question becomes
whether or not you really need the help of a landscape architect to design
your home environs.
Landscape architects can be very useful when it comes to using space.
A square deck may save you money, but it may look out of place, and it
may not be as usable as you would like. This is where a landscape architect
can help. She or he can look at your available space, and suggest possible
uses for it. These architects are experienced in combining utility with
attractiveness, and it may be worth your while to spend $50-$200 for
a consultation or two. It really depends on your budget, and whether
you can afford such expensive advice. The architect may also be able
to give you ideas for walkways, fences, and patios. However, it is important
to note that most landscape architects are not gardeners, and many of
them are not experts in plant care.
When working in a certain area, many landscape architects make use of
commonly used plants that are widely known to grow well in a particular
region. This means that you may end up with a design that, rather than
being personal, looks very similar to other designs. Also, your architect
is not going to be able to instruct you on what you need to do to amend
your soil if the plants recommended will not flourish with the make up
of your soil. Plus, many architects specify mature plants in their designs.
This is because they are visualizing the attractive completed project.
Mature plants cost much more than smaller plants, and such specifications
may price you out of your landscape project.
The fact of the matter is that most people can determine their own preferences
for landscapes by drawing out their own plans. With the help of local
urban planning Web sites or a local university’s plant specialist,
it is possible to discover which plants thrive in your climate. Additionally,
you can browse online to find plans for a variety of projects and flower
gardens. If something looks comfortable and attractive to you, then there
is no reason why cannot incorporate it into your landscape design. The
key is trusting in your own taste.
Something that can be a lot less expensive than hiring a landscape architect
to consult with and then to design your yard (the whole process can cost
upward of $800-$1,000), it is possible to use software. Many stores sell
this software, and it is available online. It is fun to use the software
to figure out various possibilities for your home, and some of them even
come with information like what you need for a specific design, and approximate
cost estimates. This software not only provides great amusement, but
it can also be helpful as you try to figure out what you would like to
do about your landscape.
Landscape architects can be very helpful. They can help you determine
feasibility and show you how to best utilize a space for beauty and function.
However, these services do not come with a hefty price tag. An argument
can be made for saving money in the long run, but unless you have a massive
project undertaking, the services of a landscape architect are rarely
completely necessary. You can sketch out your own ideas, or you can make
use of software. And, as the average do-it-yourselfer does not often
participate in a complete landscape overhaul, he or she is more than
qualified to design for his or her own small landscape improvement projects.
