DESIGN
Look for these four things to help make the decision easier…
The trick is to find a design company to trust with your vision — you want to make sure it comes out just as you imagined (or better!). And if you’re like most people, deciding who to choose creates a certain amount of anxiety...
We get it.
To help make your decision easier, we put together a list of attributes we feel all good landscape designers should have.
Good listening skills are essential for anyone in the service industry (anyone who’s ever gotten a lousy haircut can attest to this!), and landscape design is no exception. But you should expect your landscape designer to do more than just listen to you.
What you’re looking for is a designer with active listening skills — someone with the expertise and knowledge to ask probing questions about your ideas for your landscape. Your designer should also have empathy and understand what you’re hoping your new landscape will do for you on an emotional level.
You’re not looking for an “order-taker”. You’re looking for someone who can take your ideas and expand on them, giving you something better than you could imagine.
If you’ve decided to create a new landscape, I’m sure you’ve spent a considerable amount of time thumbing through brochures, scrolling social media and visiting websites looking for inspiration. That’s a great place to start, but when you’re considering a designer, make sure you see some of their past work.
What you’re looking for is a wide range of experiences in the “real world”. Most professional designers can adapt to many different design aesthetics, so try to avoid “one-trick” ponies who create the same landscape over and over again. You want (and deserve!) a landscape that is unique to you.
When I’m looking to purchase something on Amazon, I always make sure to check the reviews at the bottom of the page. So when you’re trying to make a decision about hiring a landscape designer for the first time, hearing what others have to say about their experience can be extremely helpful.
Whoever you end up hiring, it’s important that you trust them. After all, their employees will be working in and around your home for a considerable amount of time. Reading testimonials and reviews will give you some insight into what your experience might look like. You can see some of our reviews on Houzz.
Designing and building a landscape involves many moving parts, so before you sign on the dotted line, check for any red flags that indicate confusion or lack of professionalism.
Do they return phone calls promptly?
If you’ve arranged a time to meet (virtually or in-person) do they show up on time?
Is the process clear?
Making sure communication is clear in these early stages will save you a lot of headaches in the future.
If you choose Sunline Landscapes to design and build your landscape you’ll be assigned a project manager. This person will be your point of contact and will keep you up-to-date on what is going on with your project at all times — so you’re never left wondering what’s going on.
Once you’ve done the hard work deciding who to trust, the actual design process is quite simple.
At Sunline Landscapes the design phase works like this:
Make an initial inquiry — We carefully assess every inquiry. We will let you know whether we can take on your project or if we have to decline due to factors like scope, budget or location.
Schedule a site visit & meet with us — We’ll discuss your vision, goals and budget, listening to your ideas to help you create a wish list for your project.
Approve your design — We’ll return to your property to get pertinent details to create a 2D drawing plan followed by an immersive, 3D digital model of the approved design!
Once everything is approved, construction can begin and you’re one step closer to having an amazing new landscape to share with your family and friends!
Read through some of our customer testimonials, follow us on Instagram or check out our website for some inspiration. Then, when you’re ready, book a consultation with our design team. We’re here to answer your questions and put your mind at ease — and help you create a landscape that will take your breath away!
