The Benefits of Hiring a Landscape Design and Installation Company

Design-Build Firms Are Your One-Stop Shop from Conception Through Construction

I've been working in the landscape design and construction industry since the mid-1990's and in that time, I have certainly seen a wide range of approaches to tackling landscape projects. From DIY attempts gone wrong to mismanaged projects completely abandoned by their former contractors, I've seen some of the worst and most dangerous attempts at landscape and hardscape construction.

On the other hand, I've also worked alongside incredibly gifted designers, installers, masons and other specialty craftsmen who helped deliver brilliant, breathtaking projects for the clients. These experiences have really driven home the importance of understanding who you are working with and why working with a dedicated landscape design and build firm can make such a huge difference in the success of your project.

Why Choose a Design-Build Approach?

A quick story... back around 2021, I had a client come to me for the construction of their project after spending thousands on a beautiful landscape design from a local landscape architect. Their plans looked really nice on paper - but there was a problem. The architect had specified several plant varieties that the homeowners either didn't like or were simply not well suited for our brutal Arizona heat. Additionally, some of the hardscape elements in the front yard design were incompatible with the client's budget and the architect's design did not work well with the layout and shape of their custom lot.

Before I could even begin the project I had to make several changes to the plant selections, the layout, and hardscape structures of the project. This is just one reason why I'm such a strong advocate for the design-build approach. When you work with a firm that handles both design and construction sides of a project, you get practical, buildable solutions from day one. Let me break down just a few more benefits of hiring a landscape design and installation company that I've observed over my 30+years in the industry.

1. Communication and Accountability

One of the biggest headaches in a construction project is communication breakdown. I learned this the hard way back when I was working as a superintendent for another company years ago. Between their various salesman, designers, landscapers, and other skilled trades there were so many separate entities involved in the project that it was like playing a bad game of telephone every time a question or problem arose.

With a design-build firm you're working with one team from start to finish. This means a lot of frustration and repetition can be eliminated and there's no finger-pointing between different companies when issues arise. Trust me, I've seen projects where the designer blames the salesman who blames one contractor, then the contractor blames another contractor who blames the architect, and the homeowner is stuck in the middle pulling their hair out. When you work with a design-build firm, we own the entire process. If something's not right, we fix it - simple as that.

2. Cost-Effective Solutions from the Start

Here's something that might surprise you - those beautiful landscape plans from a high-end architect almost always end up being much more expensive in the long run.

Part of that has to do with the fact that while they are wonderful at the conceptual side of designing, architects don't always have a good thumb on the practical implementation side of their projects, or current pricing on materials.

It can be frustrating for clients when they come to me with plans they paid thousands for, only to find out that implementing the design will cost way more than their budget allows. I also can't tell you how many times I've gotten the architect's design which looked great on paper, but was incorrectly proportioned for the client's lot or was missing existing elements in the design because the architect didn't actually visit the site in person. No client wants to hear that their hard earned money was wasted on something that was done incorrectly from the beginning.

Design-build firms approach projects differently. Since we're the ones actually building what we design, we're constantly thinking about costs and practical solutions during the design phase. We know exactly what materials and techniques will work best for your budget because we work with them every day.

Personally, I also take the time to meet with each prospective client on location so that I can confirm that all site conditions are taken into account on my designs and proposals. This means my clients won't waste money on plans that need to be completely revised when it comes time to build. What's more, it also means that I am taking the neighborhood conditions into account because I'm physically there to see it.

3. Real-World Experience of Landscape Contractors Shapes Better Designs

One thing that really gets me fired up is seeing designs that look great on paper but don't actually work in practice. As a design-build firm, our designs are informed by decades of hands-on experience. We know which plants actually thrive in Arizona soil, which materials can withstand the temperatures and climate conditions specific to your neighborhood or area of town, and how to position elements to maximize shade and minimize maintenance. This practical knowledge is something you just can't get from a purely design-focused firm.

I remember several years ago working on a remodel project in a neighborhood that had a problem with wild animals. The wild javelina were attracted to certain flowering plants and cacti in the neighborhood and the homeowners constantly found themselves replacing plants and flowers that had gotten eaten by the wild pigs. Being aware of this concern ahead of time, I made some specific design decisions on the remodel project so my client didn't have to worry about her hard-earned money becoming someone else's dinner.

4. A Benefit to Hiring a Landscape Design and Installation Company Is Faster Project Completion

Time is money, and this is especially true in landscaping projects. Years ago when I was working for a pool and landscape company, I saw so many projects drag on for months longer than necessary because of coordination issues between the salesmen, the designers, and the many different contractors. With a design-build firm, we can often streamline the entire process from conception to completion.

Plus, since we're handling everything in-house, we can be more flexible with scheduling and making adjustments on the fly. If we notice an opportunity to improve something during construction, we can make that decision right there instead of waiting for approval from multiple parties.

What About DIY Landscaping?

Look, I totally get the appeal of DIY - I started my career doing the work hands-on myself. But I've also seen plenty of DIY projects go sideways, usually costing time and a lot more money in the long run.

I remember a client a few year back who called me frustrated over a paver project her husband and boys had been taking months to install. The husband had really great intensions but did not have the construction know-how to take proper drainage and sloping into account and he was also way over his head with the scale of the project. The wife knew that if he didn't remove the pavers and start over, they were going to have serious flooding issues the next time it rained.

At the request of the wife, as soon as the husband left town my crews removed the partially completed paver patio and walkways and completely reinstalled them- this time correctly accounting for sloping and proper drainage allowances. I imagine it was a relief when the husband returned home to see his project complete but sadly, so many months of Saturdays had been wasted because he didn't call professionals in the beginning.

The thing is, professional landscape design-build firms bring more than just labor to the table. We bring:

• Creative design skills and experience based on practical application

• Broad knowledge of a variety of materials and extensive experience with proper estimating

• Years of experience dealing with local soil and climate conditions

• Knowledge of local building codes and permit requirements

• Knowledge about growth patterns of different plant, tree and cactus species

• Relationships with reliable suppliers and other industry professionals

• Professional-grade equipment

• Trained crews who know how to handle unexpected issues

  
  
  
  

Making the Smart Choice for Your Landscape Project

When you're investing in your outdoor space, you want to make sure you're getting the best value for your money. After spending more than three decades in this industry, I can tell you that working with a design-build firm is often the most efficient and cost-effective way to achieve your landscaping goals.

Here in the Phoenix area, where our unique climate presents specific challenges, having a team that understands both the design and construction aspects of landscaping is invaluable. If you're thinking about starting a landscape project and want to learn more about how the design-build process works, I'd be happy to share more insights. Just click the link below to schedule a free consultation - no pressure, just practical advice from someone who's been there and done that.

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