What To Look For In A Backyard Architect

Making The Right Choice

Landscapers are familiar enough sights. The best ones can exhibit outstanding skills in managing lawns and maintaining the shape and health of shrubbery and the aesthetic and vitality of flower beds and accents. A good landscaper is gold.

But there are times when a landscaper isn’t enough, such as when creating a new outdoor project. So before going into what you need to look for in a backyard architect, it would be good to know what they do and why you would hire one.

What Does a Landscape Architect Do?

A landscape architect is a professional equipped to design outdoor spaces and make the most of natural environments. Landscape architects are professionals hired to work on outdoor parks, residential projects, golf courses, and large estates. Still, they can also work on a smaller scale, such as residential backyards and surrounding areas.

Part of their expertise involves taking advantage of natural environments and making them work alongside your architectural vision.

A landscape architect will weigh multiple factors when designing your outdoor space, including:

• Amount of sun
• Year-round weather
• The available budget for creation and upkeep
• The people using the space
• The health and well-being of the plants inhabiting the space

A landscape architect could use geographic and geological surveys, soil science, and resource management analysis.

A landscape architect won’t be the one you call to cut the grass, clip the bushes, or build your retaining wall. Instead, they’ll be the ones leading the design process and turning your outdoor space vision into reality.

What To Ask A Landscape Architect

Hiring a landscape architect to design your backyard space can be an excellent investment in your property. That said, you want to make sure you have the best person for the job. So here are some questions to ask a prospective landscape architect:

• Are they professionally licensed? Can they provide some references?
• Do they have previous experience with properties like yours?
• Do they have examples of past work they can show you? A photo portfolio is good, but video tours are a nice touch as well.
• Do they have contacts or professional relationships with local builders, suppliers, and landscapers?
• What kind of relationship do they build with people doing the physical labor and construction?
• Can they handle obtaining the necessary permits for the work being planned?
• How much will their services cost—both for design and construction?
• What sort of ongoing maintenance will their designs require? Do they have cost estimates based on local labor sources?

It’s also a good idea to interview your potential landscape architecture on their knowledge of current trends and environmental issues surrounding outdoor design. You want your property to reflect both modern sensibilities and environmental responsibility.

Landscape Architects Near You

A well-designed outdoor space not only enhances a property’s value but it adds to the overall quality of the community. Whether the property is for a home, business, or public use, you want to forward your best face.

At Vision Green, we want to help you create a beautiful and functional outdoor space you can be proud of. No matter your backyard’s current state, our experienced landscape architects in Charlotte, NC, can improve and perfect it for all to enjoy.

Contact us today to learn more about our landscaping and landscape architecture services.