Top tips to choose landscape architects

If you are the kind of person who believes that ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’, then, you would naturally want beauty – both in your exteriors and your interiors. However, improving the looks of your landscape is more stressful than interior decor for the simple reason that there are few ideas and visual representations of beautiful exteriors. So, for most people, landscaping is more a matter of groping in the dark. However, by hiring the right landscape architects, you can take the confusion and the stress out of landscaping. Here are a few tips to help you choose the best:

• Landscape architecture includes a wide variety of activities, ranging from deigning the yard to gardens and park systems. This is what makes it so hard to evaluate the expertise of an architect. The best way out is to check whether the architect has experience dealing with the kind of work you have in mind. Just because an architect has worked on large scale projects, it does not necessarily mean they can design your little garden with the same aplomb.

• Do not go for overkill. If you only want to fill your garden with flowers, a master gardener is what you need. Understand your own requirements before you hire.

• One of the best ways to evaluate landscape architects is to interview them in person. You can then show them your space and ask them for ideas. You can also take a look at their portfolio. This kind of an interaction will give you fresh ideas and help you ascertain whether you feel comfortable with the architect.

• When the landscape architect comes, ask them for a quote. The approximate cost will help you decide whether the architect can operate within your budget.

• Do not forget mundane details when you interview landscape architects. For instance, you may want to find out whether they possess certificates of liability. Check to see if these documents are current.

• Make sure that the landscape architect you hire has experience in construction and that they are well versed in building techniques, local regulations and so on.

Most people do not have a clear idea of what they want. So, the first step is to explain your expectations to the landscape architect. The architect will then help you have a more definite idea of how to transform your landscape.

When all is said and done, your personal interaction with the architect will help you assess the architect both professionally and personally. If at the end of your interview, you have the gut feeling that the architect can work wonders on your land, then, that is the person you should hire.