Designers are all different. It’s what gives us the ability to create interesting, diverse, and surprising spaces. So, what do you do when it comes to your home?
So how do you choose someone?
How do you find someone you want to work with to create your retreat? Unfortunately, hiring someone to design your garden is not quite the same as hiring an electrician to install a powerpoint in your house. There is a correct way to install a powerpoint. There is no correct way for a designer to design your garden.
Below are some steps you can take to help guide you through the process.
1) Do you need a landscape designer or a Landscape Architect (Have a look at my last blog post for the difference)? Not all Landscape Architects design residential landscapes. You may want to research both options.
2) Ask friends and family if they know someone. Word of mouth is always a good place to start.
3) Have a look at the AILA and AILDM websites they both have lists of trained professionals who can help you. From there you can dive into individual companies’ websites to do some more research.
4) The next step is to call and talk to them. Ask to speak to the designer. Get a feel for who they are and if you like what they say make an appointment. Meet a few in-person to see who you would like to work with and who you think would provide you with what you want.
It is important to meet with more than one designer; we are all different and work in different ways. Some may want you involved heavily in the process, some may ask for a brief and send you the final design. So, a designer may not suit what you are after. But there is someone out there who can help on your journey.
Remember this is your garden. A designer should provide amazing ideas but, in the end, you have to like the design and live with it. A good designer designs a style and budget for you.
My next post will talk about what you can expect from the design process.
Good Luck
Contact us today to see if we are a good fit for you.