Houston Landscape Design,
Installation and Maintenance Services
 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!
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