You’ve been bookmarking dream gardens and pinning images of plants for months, and are finally ready to redesign your own yard. But even if you have a wealth of plant knowledge, a new landscaping project can be daunting. When does it make sense to call in a professional? These are four indications that you should hire a landscape designer rather than try to tackle the project yourself.
1. You’re Overwhelmed
One major clue that you should hire a designer is that you’re struggling to figure out what will work in your space. “If you’re wanting an overall vision for your landscape and feel overwhelmed at where to start, that is your indication to hire a landscape designer!” says garden designer Molly Hendry. “As a designer, it is our job to see the problems and the potential of a site and marry it to your dreams and budget.”
2. It’s Within Your Budget
Step two in figuring out if you should hire a landscape designer? Determining if you can afford it. Prices range greatly based on the scope of your project, the designer’s experience, and where you live.
Have a few local designers give you a quote to determine if they’re in your budget. And while a four- or five-figure estimate may at first make you gasp, attempting to landscape your yard yourself can have unexpected costs.
“What I run into is that many people have tried to DIY a redesign with unintended consequences—and end up basically paying twice,” says landscape designer Mark G. Brotton.
If you feel like you need expert help, but don’t have the budget for a designer to see your project from start to finish, there are options. Hendry points out that some designers will provide you with a plan that you can install yourself and phase in over time.
3. You Have a Particularly Challenging Site
Planting a small border along the front of the house is one thing. Landscaping a steep slope is entirely another—and may be better left to a pro. Also, different sized spaces provide varying degrees of challenge, points out landscape designer Kathy Hubner: “An oversized or tiny space is the most difficult for homeowners to design themselves,” she says. “A professional designer can make the most of small spaces and efficiently plan large areas.”
4. You Need a Significant Amount of Work Done
Some landscaping plans involve a high amount of expertise and labor. If your project includes things like installing a pool, building a new patio, or creating large new garden beds, enlisting a designer to oversee the project rather than hiring installers piecemeal is a smart investment.
“Designers have contractor networks within the industry that have been tried and true,” says Brotton. “In turn, you’re hiring not only design talent that will take care of you as a client, but also can avoid inferior quality of installation work.”
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