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Landscaping Plans: Blueprints For Perfection

May 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Like any great undertaking, you need to have some idea of what you are doing at any given time. Landscaping plans are no exception. The tricky part is getting around to all the various landscaping plans and options that there could potentially be, and of course, visualizing the whole event in your minds eye can be challenging.
Building Your Blueprints
The first and most obvious way to plan for what you need to do is to draw a sketch. Sit down with a pencil, and yes, it must be a pencil and a blank piece of paper. Block your house and any other obstacles that you might not be able to work around, and then – go to town! Draw something, erase it, try again – your landscaping plans are just that – plans and as with any plans you need to do some brainstorming before you can get anywhere with it.
Your landscaping plans should probably go through several drafts before you come up with a pretty solid idea of what you want. That is not to say that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you know exactly what you want your to look like, although you might. The premise of the exercise is just to help you visualize, brainstorm, and work through some of the potential options for your landscaping plans.
But, what about for those of us who are artistically challenged; who’s stick figures most closely resemble H.P. Lovecraft’s nightmares? Worry not – google.com offers a free utility called SketchUp, which can create 3D models for Google Earth, another utility. SketchUp lets you put into a 3D visualization exactly how your landscaping plans will look. This has definite benefits over the pencil and paper method, but at the same it can limit creativity and can be frustrating for those people who are not technology-compatible (get the joke?). However, it is another option for creating those wonderful landscaping plans which will be your first and arguably most important step to having your landscaping dreams come true.
Outside of that, landscaping plans involving drawing, calling contractors, finding the best price for exactly what you want, deciding on plants, layout, colors, form, textures – the whole nine yards. That’s why making your landscaping plans is so important because the project can quickly become overwhelming and not all that enjoyable, which one would hope it would be if you are trying to do it yourself.

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Houston Landscape Designers, Landscape Architects, Landscape Plans

May 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Houston Texas is one of the most difficult and challenging climates to design and build landscape gardens in the country. We have heavily compacted soils that when inundated with torrential rains suffocate plants and low lying flood areas that if not installed with a proper drainage system could flood a house. In Houston our temperature extremes from summer drought and 100 degree days to humid fall and spring weather causes plant stress and diseases. These weather extremes also can take their toll on outdoor building elements such as pool and deck surfaces, arbors, and night lighting fixtures. In hiring Houston Landscape Designers, you want not only creative ideas but material know-how, local construction standards, and someone who knows the durability of materials as well. Below we will present the four types of Houston Landscape Designer services available with their positive and negative perspectives as to what they bring to the table for your particular project.

The “design-only” landscape designers

This would be an individual who will meet and provide a design for your landscape but is not involved in the supervision, construction or maintenance of designed elements.

Positives:

• The positive here is that you could get an overall design of your site or master plan for the property to phase in over time and get alternate bids from various landscape contractors for proposed design elements.

Negatives:

• Some of the plants, materials, and design ideas may not work if the landscape designers do not have regular experience with construction, maintenance and plant care.

• Construction of some elements may be cost prohibitive if budget is not taken into consideration with the design.

• Another understandable problem is that the designer is not responsible or does not have to concern themselves with the implementation of proposed elements.

“Landscape Contractors” as “landscape designers”.

A landscape contractor is usually at the other end of the spectrum from the landscape designer in that they may know how to implement and install a garden but may lack design experience.

Positives:

• The positive is that you know what it will cost and a landscape contractor will be able to cost out several options or make several proposals to finally arrive at an acceptable budget.

• Another positive is there may be a cost savings and scheduling may happen much quicker because they may do 80% of the installation.

Negatives:

• The negative is that an overall design is often missing.

• The quality of craftsmanship is questionable even with a portfolio.

• The implementation from proposal to built vision might not be fully realized which are conveyed in design plans, material and construction methods chosen.

Horticulturalist as landscape designer. This might be someone who works at a nursery or local garden center. This person have lots of knowledge about soil and plant health as well as the right plant for the right location. A horticulturalist or plants man may not have an overall design vision, knowledge of irrigation systems, drainage systems, patios and walks.

Positives:

• The positive here would be the variety of plants and proper soil preparation and planting of plant material.

Negatives:

• There could be too much plant variety.

• Could be too much of a plant lover’s garden rather than simple overall home aesthetics.

• Overall design layout of patio, walk and lawn areas might not be as strong.

Landscape Design-Build Company as “designer” and “installer”. In this category responsibility is taken for the overall design, supervision, management and implementation of the landscape plan through completion of all elements to their maintenance.

Positives:

• Design ideas must be able to be implemented.

• Overall costs are based on actuality.

• Flexibility to phase the project in many ways.

• Intent of the design is carried through the construction process.

• Knowledge, understanding and responsibility for the project as the property continues to be maintained.

Negatives:

• May be some additional costs for over sight and general contracting of elements.

The Design-Build process is the most ideal scenario because all design decisions, construction, installation, costs and maintenance of the entire project are taken into consideration representing the most experienced view.

Conclusion

Choosing Houston landscape designers is a difficult task. Considerations including like ability of the designer and fit with their style of work are all essential. In the end analysis one has to decide if compromising price is also compromising quality and value of work.

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At Exterior Worlds you can read more about Landscape Designers
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Looking for a new design in your backyard? How about a different look to your front yard? Would you like a professionally-managed landscape that always looks fantastic? Or perhaps more hardscapes or plant material? Take a look at what MNLA’s landscape, design, and management professionals can do for you. The Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association awarded these companies 2010 Landscape Awards in landscape design: Residential Front Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: Nathan Anderson of Ground One Enterprises of Minnesota Residential Rear Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: Jodi Axel of Axel Landscape Residential Rear Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: Jack Dorcey of Bever Landscaping Residential Rear Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: Alyson Landmark of Outdoor Environments, Inc. Residential Rear Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: David Kopfmann & Lincoln Danforth of Yardscapes, Inc. Residential Full Yard Landscape Design Merit Award: Christopher Ochs of Windsor Companies Commercial Landscape Design Merit Award: Clarissa Cooper of Scenic Specialties Landscape Center Specialty Projects Landscape Design Merit Award: Clayton Johnson of Yardscapes, Inc. Sustainable Environments Landscape Design Merit Award: Bob Renaud of Southview Design Residential Rear Yard Landscape Design Grand Honor Award: Pat Weiss of Ground One Enterprises of Minnesota Residential Full Yard Landscape Design Grand Honor Award: Mary Lou Clymer of Gertens Commercial Landscape Design Grand Honor Award: Jim …

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Landscape Plans

May 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Article by Jeff Halper

Landscaping is more complex than it appears, and requires foresight and strategy to be correctly executed. Attempting to coordinate the many elements of landscaping without a professional landscape contractor and a landscape plan can result in delays in services and very costly mistakes that fail to meet expectations. Landscape plans are crucial components to the success of any landscaping project. They itemize clearly what is being brought to the table by the landscaping professional, and they allow the homeowner time to consider the details of the design and request any desired changes prior to the work being undertaken.

Landscape plans also establish the scope of a project by limiting the possibility of delays or major mistakes occurring throughout the course of the project. A landscaping firm such as Exterior Worlds will ultimately bring in a number of artisan subcontractors to handle various details of the project. Specifics such as swimming pools, masonry tiles, and outdoor lighting must be coordinating in advance. Understanding clearly what these elements will be and where they will be positioned along the landscape will help accomplish two very important things. First, it will ensure that all subcontractors who are brought in on a project clearly understand the role they are to play, the scope of their respective projects, and the timeline required for completion of essential components. Secondly, and equally importantly, it will ensure that that all specific elements interconnect to create a comprehensive aesthetic that appropriately compliments the exterior architecture of the home itself.

Landscaping plans also establish the scale of the project by creating a visual piece that all parties can reference. Complex exterior designs rely heavily upon the combined aesthetics of balance, harmony, and proportion. By creating a visual reference point for each and every element in the landscape, designers can show first the homeowner, and second all subcontracted entities, which essential elements are located in relation to one another. This makes it easy for all parties involved to negotiate any necessary changes, and it maintains efficiency in process flow from start to finish by making it clear where every intended element is to be placed, and what distance will lie between the various elements of the completed project.

Landscape plans also allow the homeowner to feel comfortable about what they are buying. Most people have a general idea of how they want their property to ultimately look. Not knowing the specifics of what will be involved, however sometimes make them feel a bit trepidatious about investing in a high-end design that will involve third party entities and a great deal of sophisticated outdoor structural work. Putting these details on paper allows the homeowner to see both the small details and the big picture, so to speak. Things such as decorations and structures placed within gardens, outdoor kitchens, and exterior rooms are drawn to scale so people can have a clear frame of reference to work with during the consultation process.

Normally, we consult with the homeowner first and draft a preliminary proposal based upon the desires they express for an ultimate outcome. These initial landscape plans are then published and further revised as needed. Once we have drafted a final plan, in house landscapers and subcontractors are called in to set things in motion. Our experience has taught us that working with a very detailed plan that functions as a fluid, yet consistent point of reference, ensures both maximum efficiency and superior aesthetic outcomes for our clients at the end of the day.

About the Author

Jeff Halper is passionate for Landscaping and wants to share infomation about that passion. At Exterior Worlds you can read more about Landscape Plans Or Landscape Design

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