There are many ways to go about a landscape project and making it happen may seem daunting as there are numerous options. With the right amount of planning these points will be a helpful guide to your landscape renovation.
The First Step is a Master Plan
When homeowners begin to think about a landscape renovation many begin with just the front yard. That’s a little like taking a trip without knowing where you are going. It is important to think about the entire property and how each part will interact with, intersect with, and complement the next.
Like an itinerary, a Master Plan allows you to see everything on your wish list, and enables you to pursue the items in your dream landscape in order of importance to you and with any eye to future projects. You may want to accomplish the entire project or prefer to work in phases, breaking the project up in logical and affordable pieces. A master plan maps out a logical schedule, preventing costly and avoidable surprises, like having to remove a newly installed fence to allow heavy equipment in the yard for excavating the patio. Or like installing irrigation, after the new patio has been laid.
Choosing Your Design/Build Firm
You will want to choose a company with a history of high quality installations. The greatest design can get you only so far. Investing in experienced craftspeople is the key to the proper execution of any plan. Further, the well-established firms will have qualified and proven contractors in other trades that may be necessary to accomplish your plans: pool contractors, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, irrigation specialists, etc.
A landscape company with years of experience will be able to recognize problems or challenges before they become issues. You want to solve drainage, or grading problems with the right solutions before they become an issue.
Further, select a company that meets its timelines. Check reviews available online. They are often a good indicator of client satisfaction.
Add Elements of High Impact
Consider a lighting design. Lighting can add drama, safety, and security to the landscape. Who doesn’t want to extend the day out on the patio?
Or extend the season – Add a fire feature or heating element to the plan to extend the entire season. Gas or wood burning, fire pit or fire table, or gas fueled heating towers – all add warmth and keep conversation going despite lower temps.
It pays to invest in proper irrigation. The right sprinkler systems are designed to provide different water needs on a single system.
You may want to consider splurging (why not?) on a single element or focal point ; perhaps a spectacular specimen tree, a sculpture, or something as functional as a gate, but make it great.
No matter the scope of your project, the size of your property, or the limit of your imagination the process begins with an imaginative plan by a design/build landscape company with a proven track record for quality, integrity, and craftsmanship.
We are proud to have been trusted by Michigan homeowners for over 35 years. To learn more about our professional landscaping services, click here. To view our portfolio of custom landscape design projects, visit this link. And please, don’t be shy to get in touch to learn more about our custom landscape design and build services. We would love to help you create your own little piece of paradise in Michigan.
