DIY vs Professional Landscape
Customers are often unsure about installing new landscaping. Many are intimidated by the upkeep required, but in all honesty, once the plants are established there is little left to do. All that is needed is a little water every week and pulling weeds once or twice a month. A professionally installed landscape can be costly but the benefits far outweigh the cost.
So why should you landscape?
A professionally installed landscape has a recovery value of up to 200% when you sell your home; it also increases your homes market price by 25% and is the only home improvement that increases in value as it matures. Plant material has a tremendous impact on the environment; a single tree removes carbon dioxide and produces enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for an entire day. Planting trees and large shrubs can reduce your cooling bills and reduce noise pollution.
Now that you know why you should landscape, the next thing to ask yourself is how. How much can I afford to spend on landscape? How much time am I willing to spend maintaining my new landscape? How do I design and install a new landscape? How much plant knowledge do I have? How complex is my landscape project? The answers to these questions will help you decide if you need to hire a professional landscape designer or if you can do it yourself.
Why hire a landscape designer?
Landscape designers utilize design principles such as balance, color, texture, dimension, and natural transitions throughout the landscape. This knowledge can mean the difference between a beautiful landscape and a scene of confusion. A professional designer will take advantage of different site views and natural surroundings while working with constraints such as utilities and property lines. A good landscape designer will listen to customer ideas, needs, and wants and apply this information to the design. Hiring a knowledgeable designer will give you a long lasting beautiful landscape that fits your lifestyle.
Can I do my own landscape?
In today’s market many people are looking for ways to reduce spending by doing work around the home themselves. Doing your own landscape can save money, be therapeutic and is a great form of exercise. Keep in mind it can also be very hard and time consuming. Use the following questions to help make this decision:
- Do I have the knowledge and experience for this project?
- Do I understand how to achieve proper drainage, pitch, etc. to avoid future problems?
- Do I know what plants would work best in each area?
- How much work and time am I willing to put into working on my landscape?
For those of you who enjoy doing the work yourself but aren’t quite sure of which plants to use, Kiefer Landscaping can help. Bring in pictures and measurements of the areas you want to landscape and our designers will share ideas and color your world. Call ahead to schedule an appointment.
Whether you have a professional install your landscape or do it yourself, life is better with a beautiful yard.
