Engaging a landscape designer

Hiring a Landscape Designer is a sound initiative. You wouldn't consider building your home without a plan, yet many people take a very hap-hazard approach to the creation of their garden. Mistakes and scrimping on costs in the early stages may mean expensive work in rectifying mistakes and getting it right later on. Fortunately, we are now more aware of the fantastic lifestyle opportunities that gardens can give us and having your garden designed is becoming accepted practice.

Garden Design is both an art and a science, combining creativity and logic. There are few professions as complex as garden design. Good design practice involves understanding the logistics of the site, solving problems, understanding budgets and remaining calm in the face of aesthetic challenges. Plant knowledge alone is not enough. A complete landscape designer will have a broad knowledge of local soils, plant selection and hard landscaping. A sense of style and proportion are also imperative in your choice of designer.

Landscape Designers provide services which include consultations and design.

Consultations The first step to having your garden designed professionally. The designer works with you to interpret your needs and preferences and discuss factors such as your lifestyle, the architectural features of your house, the elements, the environment, drainage, access, gradients, children, pets... the list goes on! Check with your designer for the fee for this service.

Landscape Design: Most designers go through a design process which will include a site analysis and measure, preparation of a concept plan, plant selection and soil advice and preparation of a detailed landscape plan. Once this is done, clients can get landscape contractors to quote for 'building' some or all of the design. Your landscape designer can usually recommend landscape contractors suitable for your job. Most designers will adapt the service they provide to suit your requirements. Landscape designers are also able to work with your architect at the time your house is being designed. Landscape Designers will either quote you a fixed charge for landscape design or quote you by the hour for more complex work.

Engaging a landscape contractor

With the garden designed you are now ready for the service of an experienced and qualified landscape contractor. Contractors will implement your garden design, taking care of the earthworks, contouring, soil improvement, paving, building pergolas, retaining walls, installing water features, lighting, drainage, reticulation and stonework. They will also select and plant the trees and shrubs as shown on your garden plan.

Some landscaping contractors will specialise in some or all the above elements of your landscape construction. It is important to determine the best person for your particular garden/landscape. Some companies will be able to design and construct your garden. Some will specialise in particular areas of construction.

Points to consider when selecting your landscape contractor:

Select a member of the Landscape Industries Association (LIAWA)
Look for contractors with greatest ability to provide outstanding site management and consistent quality in all phases of the job.
Can you communicate with each other clearly?
Check out the particular contractor's areas of expertise.
Make sure you are entering into a contract. Remember if anything goes wrong and you don't have a contract, no-one can help you.
Make sure your quote is itemized and detailed. Check that everything on the plan is covered in the quote.

More home-owners are setting realistic budgets for their landscaping – which should always be in proportion to the cost of the home itself. One cannot expect to do a magnificent property justice on a meagre amount especially if site works, soil preparation, building walls and garden structures are involved.

Commercial advantage

Landscaping is desirable for commercial properties as well as domestic. Developers of commercial complexes recognise that the returns on their initial landscape investments far exceed the initial outlay. A professional landscape not only enhances the prestige of the development, but also attracts better tenants, higher rentals and superior resale prices.

Looking for work
Send your written details to LIAWA so that members can be informed via newsletter/email.
Local Government jobs and tenders are available on the Links page.

Reticulation/irrigation enquiries
Check the MEMBERS list for Irrigation companies or telephone the Irrigation Association of Western Australia

Water saving ideas
The Water Corporation has an easy reference information list

Work experience/students
Contact individual members

Removing a tree
If it is a fairly large tree and you don't know if it can be saved by transplanting contact Arbor Centre on Ph 08 9381 9177 or www.arborcentre.com.au or look in the Yellow Pages.