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Is there anything more frustrating than starting an expensive project only to watch it fall apart or sit there unfinished?

Unfortunately, for too many estate owners and property managers, that’s what happens when they trust their landscaping projects to inexperienced and unreliable people.

Maybe they got talked into it by a slick salesman, or maybe they went with the lowest bidder. Either way, by not working with a landscape architect, they got themselves into a mess.

To save you from those kinds of headaches, here are 5 advantages of working with a landscape architecture company and 5 things to look for in a good one.

Advantages of Working With a Landscape Architecture Company

You’ve already invested a lot of time and money into your property. Why would you trust the most visible parts of your home or commercial property to just any old landscape firm?

You deserve to have an outdoor experience that meets your expectations and makes a statement to your neighbors. When you believe that your landscaping should be done well, it’s to your advantage to trust it to a good landscape architecture company.

Here are 5 advantages of partnering with a certified landscape architect:

1. Expertise 

   The process of becoming a certified landscape architect is long and intense. All states require landscape architects to be licensed. Most require a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from an accredited university. After that, candidates must successfully pass the Landscape Architecture Registration Exam in order to be officially licensed.When you hire a landscape architect, you know right away that you are working with someone who understands project and construction management, design, and environmental impact issues such as drainage and grading. They have already taken the initiative to set themselves apart, so you can be confident that they will do the same for your landscape as well.

2. Plan 

   Many lawn care companies dabble in landscape design on the side. When they draw up an idea for what they can do around your house or property, it’s usually a simple sketch on a piece of paper showing where the plants will probably go.A landscape architecture company, on the other hand, will present you with high-quality plans that will look like they came from an actual design studio. Their presentation will cover every aspect of the project, giving you a complete picture from every angle of how the end result will look.

   Their plan will not only include visual representations and accurate dimensions. It will cover everything you need to know about budgets, time frames, and any engineering needed in order to achieve your landscape goals.

   When you set out to take on any kind of serious landscape project, it’s worth your time and money to make sure you’re given a solid plan.

3. System 

   A good landscape architecture company will also have a dependable system in place to actually accomplish the plans they create. While some landscape architects work independently, most work as part of a team within a landscape company. That gives them access to experts who will be hands-on in making their plans come to life. Even the ones who work alone will have a network of other landscape professionals that they are used to working with.Don’t let such a big project fall into the hands of anyone who isn’t able to completely finish the job!

4. Efficiency 

   If time is money, then hiring a reliable landscape architecture company could be worth every penny! Because of their knowledge and experience, they know how to get your project completed as efficiently as possible so that you aren’t wasting time and money on countless mistakes, miscommunication, poor scheduling, and disorganization.Beyond the project itself, good landscape architecture companies know how to incorporate things like tree and shrub placement to actually lower the heating and cooling costs of your home or commercial building. Imagine hiring someone once and then enjoying the savings from their work for years to come!

5. ValueA study done by Virginia Tech found that the largest factor that led to an increased property value perception was the sophistication of the landscape design. In many cases, your property’s value could increase by as much as 15%.

   If you are trying to put your property in the position of attracting quality customers, clients, or tenants, taking the time to partner with the best landscape architects could be the investment that puts you ahead of the rest.

How to Choose a Landscape Architecture Company in Dallas

1. Talk to Your Neighbors 

   Get the recommendations of people you already know and trust. If they’ve had work done recently, ask them who did it (assuming they are pleased with the work…if not, make a note of that, too).

2. Research Three or Four Companies 

   Check out the websites of the landscape architecture firms your friends and neighbors recommend. Look up some of the other leading landscape architects in your area and read reviews on them from sources like Google, Yelp, and Home Advisors.Narrow your list down to the top three or four, and get in touch with them directly to discuss your project.

3. Check Their Experience 

   As you’re doing your research, be sure to pay attention to whether or not they are able to provide you with high-quality examples of their work. How long have they been in business? How many clients have they served? Make sure you’re partnering with a firm that has plenty of experience to handle your project.

4. Look For Memberships 

   Anyone can be a landscape designer (watch for that word), but not everyone is a landscape architect. There’s a difference, and you can often tell by whether or not they belong to recognized national organizations for licensed landscape architects.These include:

   American Society of Landscape Architects
   Texas Chapter of ASLA
   National Association of Landscape Professionals

5. Go Look at Their Work 

   Before you hire a landscape firm, drive out to see what they’ve done. Visit a job site if possible. That way you can see in person if you like their work. You may even get a chance to watch how they work or talk to the people who hired them. Websites and presentations can give you a good sense of what a landscape architecture company can do, but nothing beats seeing things with your own two eyes.

Take a Look at Landscape Horticulture Services…A Top Landscape Architecture Firm in Dallas

When you’re ready to interview 3 or 4 landscape architecture companies, be sure to talk to us. Our teams have created incredible outdoor spaces and provided professional landscape services in Dallas, Fort Worth, and surrounding areas for 20 years. We’d love to help you, too!

We think you deserve the best landscape possible, and we’ve got what it takes to deliver. Contact us today to see what we can do for you!

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