Landscaping your front and back yards or either one can be exciting and overwhelming at the same time. So before you plunge into the project, here are 3 important tips:
1. Know what you want.
It would be great if you know exactly how you want your landscape to look like but having a mental picture close to it may be enough. Know what plants or trees or features you want—shading trees? Colourful flowering shrubs? Do you want to have a theme? Do you want water features like a fountain or a pond? Do you want to highlight with stonescapes or [link removed by Fluther] pergolas or outdoor lighting? Stuff like that.
If you’re hiring professional landscapers they’d appreciate a definite description instead of a vague “Make it pretty” or “Do your best” or something like that. Excellent landscaping contractors will give you their best but it might not be what you had pictured in your mind no matter how great the end result. You and your contractor will end up feeling awful.
2. Decide on your budget.
This can be a pain but it’s necessary since it might define how the landscaping project goes. Your budget can be an indicator if you need to adjust your design, leave out some features or consider some alternatives. But if money is no object then skip this and head on to the next point. But having a budget is still wise.
3. Do your homework
If you’re going DIY do research online as well as check things out with people who have actually done their own landscaping. Check the suppliers, compare prices, get the necessary tools and equipment.
If you’re hiring professional landscapers, ask for referrals or recommendations from friends. Common sense, if someone you know has an awesomely landscaped yard or lawn, it means their contractors are excellent.
Hope these help. HAPPY LANDSCAPING!