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Landscape Design
What to Expect From a Landscape Design Consultation
Pros share their advice for getting the most out of this meeting, including how to prepare and what questions to ask
An initial landscape design consultation often kicks off an outdoor renovation. You may have started the process over the phone or online, but now you’ll be meeting potential design pros for the first time, sharing your project goals and getting a sense of what’s possible for your space within your budget. We spoke with professionals on Houzz for their tips on what to expect from a landscape consultation, how to prepare and other considerations to ensure that your project gets off to a good start.
Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors
You’ll get a better understanding of what you can do with your space within your budget. “A consultation helps walk you through the process and sort through your priorities relative to your wish list,” says John Algozzini, Hursthouse’s colleague.
The landscape pro also will give you a broad outline of the work involved and the probable costs. This outline “will provide insight into the nuances involved in both the design and construction,” Hursthouse says.
You’ll get a better understanding of what you can do with your space within your budget. “A consultation helps walk you through the process and sort through your priorities relative to your wish list,” says John Algozzini, Hursthouse’s colleague.
The landscape pro also will give you a broad outline of the work involved and the probable costs. This outline “will provide insight into the nuances involved in both the design and construction,” Hursthouse says.
Ledden Palimeno Landscape
How Much Does a Landscape Design Consultation Cost?
Some pros may do a design consultation for free. They view it as a chance for the homeowners and themselves to talk and see if everyone is a good fit. Others may charge a flat or hourly fee, which is often credited toward project costs if they’re hired. Depending on the location, scope and size of the project, the range of fees for consultation may start at $50 to $150 and go up to $700 to $1,000. Confirm any costs with the pro before you finalize an appointment.
How to Get Started on a Landscape Redesign
How Much Does a Landscape Design Consultation Cost?
Some pros may do a design consultation for free. They view it as a chance for the homeowners and themselves to talk and see if everyone is a good fit. Others may charge a flat or hourly fee, which is often credited toward project costs if they’re hired. Depending on the location, scope and size of the project, the range of fees for consultation may start at $50 to $150 and go up to $700 to $1,000. Confirm any costs with the pro before you finalize an appointment.
How to Get Started on a Landscape Redesign
Board & Vellum
Goals of a Landscape Design Consultation
Discuss your vision and project scope. This is the time when you and the pro can talk about your vision for the project. “A pro understands that an initial consultation is about good dialogue,” Hursthouse says.
The pro will use this time to look at your landscape and ask questions. “You shouldn’t have to know what you want in terms of style and details,” says Jonathan Reed of Paragon Landscape Management. He adds that it’s the pro’s job to build on the client’s ideas and preferences. “We’re happy to provide thoughts, concepts and details,” he says.
So don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers at this stage. “A seasoned pro will be a good listener every time and be able to extrapolate from the information provided,” Hursthouse says. He adds that when not enough information is forthcoming, a pro will ask additional questions to fill in the blanks.
Goals of a Landscape Design Consultation
Discuss your vision and project scope. This is the time when you and the pro can talk about your vision for the project. “A pro understands that an initial consultation is about good dialogue,” Hursthouse says.
The pro will use this time to look at your landscape and ask questions. “You shouldn’t have to know what you want in terms of style and details,” says Jonathan Reed of Paragon Landscape Management. He adds that it’s the pro’s job to build on the client’s ideas and preferences. “We’re happy to provide thoughts, concepts and details,” he says.
So don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers at this stage. “A seasoned pro will be a good listener every time and be able to extrapolate from the information provided,” Hursthouse says. He adds that when not enough information is forthcoming, a pro will ask additional questions to fill in the blanks.
Living Gardens Landscape Design
Connect with the pro. The consultation also allows you and the pro to decide if you’re a good fit, in terms of both the scope of the project and your personalities. “It’s a chance to see if this is something that will work,” Reed says.
Connect with the pro. The consultation also allows you and the pro to decide if you’re a good fit, in terms of both the scope of the project and your personalities. “It’s a chance to see if this is something that will work,” Reed says.
Rasmussen / Su Architects
How to Prepare for a Landscape Design Consultation
Establish a wish list. Often, the first question a pro will ask is about the goals for the space. Another thing to think about is how many people will be using the space, both on a regular basis as well as for larger parties and special events.
Get a sense of your style. If you have a certain look or style you want, you can share that at the meeting, but you also can explore that further down the line. “An understanding of style preferences is helpful though not critical,” Algozzini says.
How to Refine Your Landscape Design Style
How to Prepare for a Landscape Design Consultation
Establish a wish list. Often, the first question a pro will ask is about the goals for the space. Another thing to think about is how many people will be using the space, both on a regular basis as well as for larger parties and special events.
Get a sense of your style. If you have a certain look or style you want, you can share that at the meeting, but you also can explore that further down the line. “An understanding of style preferences is helpful though not critical,” Algozzini says.
How to Refine Your Landscape Design Style
Deep Seeded Landscape and Design
Think about what is and isn’t working in your current space. Share what you love about your space and any elements you want to keep. Let the pro know what isn’t working for you as well, such as issues related to drainage, privacy and function as well as about the hardscape and plantings themselves.
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
Think about what is and isn’t working in your current space. Share what you love about your space and any elements you want to keep. Let the pro know what isn’t working for you as well, such as issues related to drainage, privacy and function as well as about the hardscape and plantings themselves.
Shop for outdoor products on Houzz
Paragon Landscape Management
Know your budget. The budget is often a sensitive topic, but knowing a general budget range will help the pro assess what will be doable. “You should understand if this is a path even worth walking down,” Reed says. He adds that even if a wish list goes far beyond the budget’s reality, he can still advise on how to achieve something that addresses the client’s priorities and is cohesive.
Know your budget. The budget is often a sensitive topic, but knowing a general budget range will help the pro assess what will be doable. “You should understand if this is a path even worth walking down,” Reed says. He adds that even if a wish list goes far beyond the budget’s reality, he can still advise on how to achieve something that addresses the client’s priorities and is cohesive.
The Inspired Garden
Armed with all of the information outlined above, the pro can provide an overview of what he or she can do. This will include addressing your wish list and your concerns. The pro also might share other ways to accomplish your desired results that you might not have considered. Take notes on the possibilities so you can reflect on and compare them.
Armed with all of the information outlined above, the pro can provide an overview of what he or she can do. This will include addressing your wish list and your concerns. The pro also might share other ways to accomplish your desired results that you might not have considered. Take notes on the possibilities so you can reflect on and compare them.
JMJ Studios
Questions to Ask at the Consultation
The pro will be asking you questions, but it’s also time for you to ask questions of your own, especially if you are considering moving forward with the pro. When it comes to the proposed design, these can include:
Questions to Ask at the Consultation
The pro will be asking you questions, but it’s also time for you to ask questions of your own, especially if you are considering moving forward with the pro. When it comes to the proposed design, these can include:
- What are some memorable projects similar to mine that you’ve done?
- Are there projects in your portfolio, in addition to those on your website, that might pertain to this project?
- Are my goals consistent with the space and the architecture?
- How long will the process take if we move forward?
Field Outdoor Spaces
Also, find out practical details about the company and how it works. These questions should include:
10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
Also, find out practical details about the company and how it works. These questions should include:
- What licenses, bonds and insurance do you have?
- Who will do the work?
- Who will be my point of contact within your firm?
- How many years have you been in business?
- Can you provide references?
10 Questions to Ask a Landscape Designer
FormLA Landscaping
Next Steps
Once the landscape consultation is over, sit back and think about what you’ve learned. What ideas did you love? Are there others you might want to rethink? How do your plan, schedule and budget feel?
Also evaluate how well you and the pro clicked. Any landscape project will take time and be stressful, so you want to hire a pro that you feel comfortable communicating and working with. And know that when you’re ready to get started, whether it’s now or in the future, you’ll have a solid start to your landscape makeover.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
Next Steps
Once the landscape consultation is over, sit back and think about what you’ve learned. What ideas did you love? Are there others you might want to rethink? How do your plan, schedule and budget feel?
Also evaluate how well you and the pro clicked. Any landscape project will take time and be stressful, so you want to hire a pro that you feel comfortable communicating and working with. And know that when you’re ready to get started, whether it’s now or in the future, you’ll have a solid start to your landscape makeover.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
What Is a Landscape Design Consultation?
Think of the consultation as an exploratory first step after you’ve connected with the pro over the phone or online. The pro will meet with you, likely at your home, to get a feel for the space and what you’re hoping to do with it. “The initial consultation will normally be the proverbial view from 30,000 feet,” landscape architect Bob Hursthouse says.
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