Are you hiring a landscape designer to provide landscape services for your Houston home? Landscape designers offer a full range of landscape services including consultation, landscape design, landscape installation and landscape maintenance. Landscape service companies and landscape design firms usually specialize in one or more areas and subcontract some of the related installation elements such as irrigation systems, drainage systems, hardscapes, luxury swimming pools, outdoor fountains, outdoor kitchens, and landscape lighting. Remember, your attention to detail and expectation of the final results are crucial in determining which landscape designer or service provider to hire for your outdoor project.
                                                                                     

 There should be good understanding, communication and comfort level between you and the designer you hire to provide your landscape services. Typically, there is an initial discovery meeting were you have an opportunity to discuss overall intent, program elements, permitting issues, wants/needs/likes/dislikes, design approach and aesthetic. The next phase may include landscape designs, planting plans and cost studies. In providing landscape services, a good professional should work diligently and patiently to help you define the scope of your outdoor project, project phasing, scheduling, coordination, selection of all materials/construction methods and final budget.
 

               
Once you have finalized the scope of work, design and estimates you’re ready to begin the landscape installation. As mentioned earlier many landscape design and service companies act as the “general contractor” and oversee the entire installation of drainage systems, irrigation systems, hardscapes, luxury swimming pools, outdoor fountains, outdoor kitchens, landscape lighting and landscaping. The fee for this landscape service is usually charged as a percentage on top of the total cost of the work to cover project administration and project management. Many clients want to act as general contractors for their projects to save money; unfortunately this can lead to some real problems. Confusions can arise from the misunderstanding of trade terminology, scheduling and coordination, unique job peculiarities due to selection of materials, installation techniques, material availability and/or construction methods employed. The best landscape service providers in Houston have years of experience to insure the end result exceeds your expectations.

At the installation phase, the landscape company will usually include all plant material, irrigation/drainage and lighting installation in their contract. The importance of tree preservation and tree protection from heavy equipment cannot be emphasized enough. Careful preconstruction activities may include protective tree fencing, borer applications on sensitive trees, temporary drainage and elevated walks to protect tree roots. The foresight to understand the impact of changing grades on mature trees is crucial so make sure your landscape service provider is well versed in this area of expertise. Proper grading and soil preparation around large trees is a delicate issue when caring for the trees. Once the landscape, irrigation and lighting contractors finish their work the landscape planting can be completed. To complete the installation of the landscape all shrub, groundcover, seasonal color plantings, final mulch and cleanup commence. The irrigation and lighting contractor then return for final adjustments and the installation of landscape is complete.

Finally, one of the most important landscape services to insure that your investment continues to develop into a mature and beautiful outdoor environment is landscape maintenance. Residential maintenance and commercial maintenance contracts include proper trimming of plant material and mowing of all lawn areas as well as chemical programs to optimize plant health. Landscape service providers should have a methodical feeding program that insures the varying plant health of tropical, acidic and seasonal color plants. Continual observation and diagnosis of plant pests and diseases are the last part of a complete and continually proactive maintenance program. The feeding program may also include spring and fall aeration of lawn areas with the application of fall rye grass. Water management through continual inspection of the irrigation controller, heads, and seasonal watering times are the foundation of lawn, shrub and tree health.

If you are interested in any of these landscape services, Exterior Worlds of Houston has more than 20 years of experience providing all the above services. Contact us!