| The term "landscaping" can mean many things, but | | | | garden can save time, as there is no middle man to |
| the most common meaning refers to the idea of | | | | deal with. Once a design team has finalized the |
| garden design. Many of us would love to have a | | | | composition, they would then need to start lining up |
| beautiful garden or outdoor oasis to relax in, but just | | | | their different contractors and scheduling the job. |
| don't have a green thumb. Gardening also takes a | | | | The contractors, in turn, would need to begin the |
| good deal of knowledge as well as some | | | | process of ordering and purchasing any needed |
| backbreaking hard labor. Many of us don't have the | | | | supplies. In contrast, a firm that has their own team |
| knowledge, time, or physical capability to design, plan | | | | of specialists at hand can streamline this process by |
| and install an outdoor space; so we turn to | | | | having everyone working together throughout the |
| professional landscape designers. | | | | process. There is less time waiting for orders and |
| Some landscapers only design gardens, and hire | | | | supplies, as many commonly used items would |
| gardening subcontractors to do the physical work of | | | | already be in stock. There is less downtime when |
| installing the elements of their outdoor designs. Other | | | | making changes in the design as well, by eliminating |
| firms are "design-build landscapers" who do it all, from | | | | the need to communicate with several outside |
| the initial consultation to completing the entire new | | | | parties. |
| landscape. Design-build landscapers are able to offer | | | | Using a single firm to complete all aspects of a design |
| several advantages over design only firms. Using a | | | | can also save money, as they are able to control the |
| single company to handle all aspects of the job can | | | | cost of supplies and labor, rather than having to pay |
| save time and money, while achieving a consistent | | | | what outside contractors charge. |
| look in the final design. | | | | Additionally, a team of designers and specialists may |
| An outdoor design may have many features, including | | | | have been working together for some time, and so |
| plants, water, lighting, stones and paving, as well as | | | | are able to easily to understand what each party |
| ornaments and other small details. Such elements | | | | wants and needs from the other, which helps to |
| would require several contractors, such as | | | | ensure an overall consistency in the final product. The |
| horticulturalists to provide the plants; excavators to | | | | designers are able to directly supervise the workers, |
| dig pools and ponds or land features; electricians to | | | | so they are able to get the results that they want |
| install lighting and electrical outlets; plumbers to install | | | | for their designs. Finally, integrating all aspects of the |
| water pipes, pumps and drains; masons to erect walls | | | | design project means that the landscaping company |
| and create paths; and decorators to choose furniture | | | | is accountable for all the details. This means that they |
| and other décor. | | | | are better able to guarantee the quality of the work |
| A landscaping company that both designs and builds a | | | | that goes into the new landscape design. |