Strategies for a successful landscaping project

Landscaping can be a big investment. A successful project will give you a beautiful outdoor space to enjoy while adding value to your home and property. Here are a few things consider when starting a new landscaping project.

Creating a plan before you hire a contractor will save time and money during the construction process while avoiding costly mistakes and oversights. A plan will also ensure that all of the functional, aesthetic and budgetary requirements are considered ahead of time.

We use our Design Inquiry Form to quickly capture key project criteria at the start of a new project:

If you are going to undertake a large-scale project, you will want to avoid major repairs or alterations in the future:

• Consider how your garden will age and choose durable materials that are appropriate for the site and climate.
• Build structures that are low-maintenance and easy to repair.
• Pay close attention to sub-grade and drainage! These invisible elements are critical in avoiding costly repairs in the future.

Think carefully about how to allocate funds to best serve the project. Often, a simpler design using high quality materials will look better and provide better value than a hastily constructed space with a lot of extra features.

• Work with existing site conditions like light, shade and slope.
• Incorporate pre-fabricated elements.
• Prioritize areas that will get the most use and have the biggest impact.

Often included as an afterthought, lighting, furniture and accessories are among the most impactful elements of an outdoor space. They should be considered in the planning phase as part of your overall budget.

• Use lighting to create a magical evening atmosphere.
• Consider a small water feature to add a new sensory element.
• Incorporate a unique art piece or sculptural element into the garden.