Are You a Reluctant DIY’er? How to Choose a Landscape Architect.

January 27, 2014 | By webadmin

With spring just around the corner, now is the time to start designing your outdoor space. Will you be doing a major renovation, adding new beds, building a new seating area, or adding an outdoor kitchen or pergola? Choosing the right person to help you design and install your new outdoor living area is a big decision. You want the space to be reflective of your personal tastes and your home's architecture. It also needs to work around your family's favorite outdoor activities. And while we always hope you’ll choose us, it’s very important to choose the person that is right for you.

Photo by Livng Magazine for RlI

Here are a few tips to get started:

Before you choose a Landscape Architect, collect ideas of the sorts of spaces you’d like them to design. Pin images to boards on Pinterest, create Idea Books on Houzz and cut photos out of magazines. Do you love Mediterranean style; or is your house an English Tudor? Do you plan on entertaining in this new space? Or, is it purely to meditate in? Do you have pets or kids? Be inspired by everything around you. Then find the right person for the job!

• Be sure whoever you choose has a degree in Landscape Architecture (LA) and is licensed by the state of Texas.
   
• What is important to you? Do you want an organic, environmentally friendly and pet-safe outdoor living and entertaining space? If these elements are important to you, they should be important to your LA as well.
   
• Ask for references. A solid LA will have a list at the ready.
   
• Are you looking for a company who can also install and maintain your landscape as well? This is important. A company who can finish the job from beginning to end, then maintain it afterwards, will ultimately understand how to design your space better at the start of the project.
   
• Create a budget. Consider that landscape improvements are estimated to return 100 to 200 percent of their cost when you sell your home. Only landscaping improvements can boast this sort of return.
   
• Interview your candidates. Whether you find your potential candidate from a friend or online, have a list of questions at the ready. A good Landscape Architect will answer your questions honestly, fairly and with respect.
   
• Get an estimate that includes design, installation, materials, and a timeframe.

Now all you have to do is choose! We know this is a big decision, so if you have any questions at all, please know that we are available to answer questions by email, phone or even on Facebook and Houzz.