Hiring a professional landscape designer can greatly impact the success of your installation. We reached out to Graham Kimak of Graham Kimak Landscape Designs to explain why this initial step is important for your installation project.
Landscape installation professionals have years of experience with a variety of plant selections, installation techniques and the knowledge of how the landscape itself evolves over the years.
“What are the advantages to securing professional help when designing your landscape?”
Most plants start off small, but knowing how they will mature and to what size will aid in the design process. A professional should know this like the back of their hand. In addition to plant knowledge, dealing with drainage issues, lighting and hardscapes are an important key to overall design. The use of different spaces throughout the landscape can be created to meet the needs of each individual client by using a qualified designer.
“What steps and attention to detail are involved in the planning process?”
First, we help you come up with a game plan, the big picture, and articulate the ideas that inspired you to start this journey. Then, we can do a thorough site analysis and see what needs to stay and what need to be removed. Best of all, we get all this down on paper so we can help you can visualize the overall concept and dramatic improvements that lie ahead. Our plans detail every plant, every material and accessory. All aspects are correctly sized and located to work together in the space you have – large or small. The planning process not only takes into account the variety of plant options, but also focuses on the hardscapes, drainage, lighting and the overall use of the space.
“How does this planning process help in the installation process?”
Planning is the best way to reduce issues that occur during the installation process. Knowing ahead of time how you want to use the space and how the plant material will change over time is very helpful. You do not want to install an outdoor kitchen only to realize it is too far away from the entertaining area, nor do you want to install a plant that is 3 feet tall now but will grow to be 20 feet tall and be overgrown in the space. Examples like these happen for too often.
Designers with years of experience can provide the creativity to make your space special and unique, help identify future issues, and assist with the installation process. This is why using a design professional from the beginning will eliminate a lot of headaches and costs in the years to come.
