Hiring a landscaper to design your garden is much like hiring a builder to build your home. You might have the resources to do it on your own, but you can save time and costs by hiring a team.
Whether you’re creating a new garden or remodelling an old one, a landscaper will use his experience to ensure that the job is done correctly the first time. Glenice Ebedes from Grounded Landscaping looks at the benefits of hiring a landscaper vs doing it yourself…
Benefits of hiring a landscaper
1. Experience and knowledge
Whether you’re creating a new garden or remodelling an old one, a landscaper will use his experience to ensure that the job is done correctly the first time.
While it’s important to match the hard design elements to your requirements (and to the look and feel of your home), it’s also vital to ensure that you’re selecting the correct plant material.
Knowledge of plant characteristics can prevent plant loss within the first few seasons due to incorrect planting methods, positioning or conditions. It can also help avoid costly expenses in later years such as having to repair damage from an aggressive root system.
2. Sourcing of quality products at cost effective prices
Landscapers have relationships with a wide range of suppliers in the industry, and this can be beneficial when it comes to cutting costs and quality.
In most cases, a landscaper sources products in bulk and at wholesale prices. Because they receive supplier relationship discounts, landscapers are able to pass on those savings to their customers.
In most cases, a landscaper sources products in bulk and at wholesale prices. Because they receive supplier relationship discounts, landscapers are able to pass on those savings to their customers.For large projects where transport must be taken into account, bulk purchases can significantly reduce your overall costs. Most importantly is the flexibility of a landscaper to source plants from multiple suppliers in order to ensure that the quality remains high.
Reputable landscapers frequently shop around on behalf of their clients, and it is not unusual for them to utilise up to three or four plant suppliers for a single project.
3. Skills
Projects which include hard landscaping (i.e. paving, building, decking, etc.), require the use of an experienced team, and require attention to detail by the project manager to ensure that they are installed correctly.
When it comes to plants, the landscaper will ensure that each and every plant is placed and planted correctly. They can also pass on the knowledge (to you) regarding how to maintain and protect specific plants.
4. Landscaping guidelines and keeping abreast of modern trends
A reputable landscaper will keep up to date with the latest trends in the industry and will be able to advise you on new ideas that may be beneficial to your home.
Many new complexes and estates require the homeowner to follow a set of landscaping guidelines, often incorporating the use of indigenous plant material. A landscaper will be able to follow these guidelines to ensure that the garden conforms to the requirements.
If you have a small garden or a corner of your home that needs a garden, then a DIY job can be rewarding.Another factor to consider is whether or not you’re enhancing the value of your home. If you’re planning to sell your property, then using a professional team to work on your garden can make a big impact when it comes to the resale value.
When to DIY
1. It’s a small job, with little or no hard landscaping
If you have a small garden or a corner of your home that needs a garden, then a DIY job can be rewarding.
Start by gathering ideas from books, magazines or the internet, and then design and install the garden yourself or with the help of family members.
Smaller projects may also mean you only have to make fewer trips to nurseries and other outlets to gather the materials you need.
2. You have a professional design, but want to do it yourself
Some homeowners hire a landscaper to create a design for them (which should include a plant list and bill of quantities), and then follow the design to do the installation themselves. This can be rewarding, not only for the homeowner, but for the entire family as well.
If you love gardening, then you’ll love being outdoors working on a new section of your garden every day.3. You love gardening and have no time constraints
If you love gardening, then you’ll love being outdoors working on a new section of your garden every day.
Working on your garden in stages like this will take longer, but it is an enjoyable hobby, and you’ll be able to say you created it yourself.
Article courtesy of www.groundedlandscaping.co.za.
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