Finding the perfect landscape designer or architect in San Diego can seem quite challenging if you don’t know where to start. There are numerous options for directions that you can go, as well as hundreds of companies that all claim to be the best. There are many tips and strategies that you can easily utilize to ensure that you are getting the perfect company or individual for your job.
Before the project ever gets off of the ground, it is vital to know your budget. When you have an idea of what you expect to spend, it will allow you to better target potential landscape architects for your project. Some companies will have minimum limits that must be met in order to quote a job. Do a bit of research prior to your designer search to have a rough idea of what you are looking at spending.
1. Know exactly what you want
Landscape design covers a variety of topics. From lawn care and design all the way to intricate details highlighting an outdoor living area, it is crucial that you know exactly what you are looking to do. There are many companies that specialize in specific areas within this niche. Some of the common specialists work within flower beds, pavers, water features, outdoor kitchens, rustic placement, or large vegetation.
If your primary job lies within one of these realms, it may be in your best interest to contact a designer that focuses on it. Not only will the price typically be a bit more manageable, but it is also likely to be a higher quality of work. It is easy to learn a company’s specialty by simply placing a call and asking them. Each company will have some sort of corner on the market.
2. Communicate your expectations clearly
A landscape designer in San Diego will have the ability to make your yard into their personal canvas if you allow them. This can not only drive up the price, but can quickly create a look that you don’t necessarily want. The ONLY way to avoid this common occurrence is to communicate your overall expectation of the project.
This communication should focus around the vision that you have for the finished product. If it is an open concept, you must communicate this. If you want an organized chaos, voice this to the designer in the interview process. There should be communication on both sides prior to any work being completed.
Still, some clients will choose to allow the landscape architect to have free reign on design. This is completely acceptable. However, there should still be a line of communication before massive changes are made to a landscape. Some changes are hard to reverse, and can cost you a ton of money if done improperly.
3. Check their previous work
This one should be pretty obvious, but it is still commonly overlooked. By looking into the previous work that they have completed, you will have a solid image of what exactly they are capable of doing. You will gain an understanding of how a certain designer may be able to impact your landscape.
In this day and age, this isn’t a hard thing to do. Most any reputable company is going to have some sort of online presence. You can do a simple Google search for the company and try to locate a website. You can also skim through social media to see if they have a page. Landscape design is all about the imagery, so you will likely find pictures of projects that they have completed. During this entire process, you are also likely to find valuable company reviews that will give you an idea of the ethics of the designer as well.
4. Consider Colors
The colors of your planned landscape are vitally important to the overall appearance. Arguably, the color combinations that you will be choosing are the most important part of the entire project. When left up to the designer, you will be sure to discover that the colors match well with one another, as well as the home structures of the property. However, if you have a particular color combination that you are striving to achieve, you need to research the different options.
With each color you have in your head comes a wide variety of choices for your San Diego landscape. A good landscape architect will steer you in the right direction. The entire process is much easier if you have an idea of the types of vegetation that you wish to have based on your color preferences. Details of the design, such as pavers, walkways, and barriers, will also be offered in a variety of colors. Before you hire your landscape designer, it is wise to have an idea of what color combinations you want, and how best to incorporate them into your yard.
5. Set a Realistic Timeframe
The timeline of a new landscape design is essential to a successful project. You should always check with a prospective designer to get a rough timeline from beginning to end of the entire process. You must make sure that it works well with your schedule, as well accommodates the additions of vegetation at the correct time of the year.
Often times, landscape design projects will run over. A question that you should always ask should revolve around extra time. Will you be paying for the extra time beyond the quote? If the project runs over, will you have enough man power to complete the task in the following days? How many projects do you have going on currently? These questions are all important. If a commitment can’t be made for the days after the project to allow for extra time, you are taking a risk of having a partially completed mess in your yard.
Hiring a landscape designer or landscape architect in San Diego can be an enjoyable process. With the proper plan in place, the hiring procedure doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, coming up with your plan can be quite satisfying. Whatever design you choose, you must always remember that all that truly matters is the satisfaction that you gain from it. You will have an amazing outdoor living space that is enhanced by a wonderfully designed landscape.