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How to make sure you are choosing the best landscape professional for you …
At Your Landscape Journey, we understand that trying to choose the right of landscape professional you need can be bamboo-zling. It can be hard to tell the type of professional from the trees!
That’s why we’ve put together this informative guide to the different types of landscape professionals to help you choose the right landscape professional for your next project.
If you’re still unsure why not contact Angela from Your Landscape Journey for a consultation?
Landscape Architects – your knowledgeable landscape professional
Landscape architects are your problem solvers. They’re the most qualified type of landscape professional that you’ll come across and they have the university degree to prove it.
Their in-depth theoretical knowledge allows them to tackle complicated landscaping issues. If you’re dealing with lots of levels, a sloping site, retaining walls, driveway designs, pool designs, council regulations or anything that is built or intricate – then a landscape architect will be the right landscape professional to choose.
Landscape Architects are capable of working on big projects like parks and public spaces, but they are equally as at home working on domestic jobs, so don’t be afraid that your job will be too small for them.
Their technical expertise means they have the in-depth skills needed to create detailed construction drawings, as a result they are very capable of working with high level professionals like engineers. All of this means, when working with a landscape architect you have a technical guru on your side.
Your outdoor legal eagles! They know all about relevant Australian Standards, council regulations and legislation and they’ll make sure that your plans are legally compliant. © 2021 Your Landscape Journey
When you work with a landscape architect there’s added peace of mind. Why? Because they must be registered with and accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA). AILA will only register individuals that have completed the necessary studies and they hold landscape architects to professional standards.
Landscape architects are much more than technical experts, they’re also horticultural experts. They will choose the most suitable plants for your location, therefore, the plants selected will thrive.
A good Landscape Architect will up-to-date with the latest sustainable and environmentally-friendly landscape design techniques – which is essential in our modern-day world.
When you hire a landscape architect, you’re guaranteed a space that is as attractive as it is functional.
Questions to ask your landscape architect:
At Your Landscape Journey, we offer a consultancy based service so you can design your own garden with our guidance or let Urban and Rural Design take care of everything and handle your all landscape architectural needs. Get in touch for an obligation free consultation today.
Landscape Designers – your artistic landscape professional
Landscape designers are your true creatives! Landscape designers aim to create beautiful gardens and outdoor spaces.
They generally have an excellent knowledge of plant species. They’re visionaries. What do we mean by that? They can look at your space now and envision what it’ll look like in the future with a great degree of accuracy.
They might not be as qualified as landscape architects, but a lot of their knowledge comes from practical, hands-on experience and because of this they often offer design and construction services.
Does this mean that they have no formal qualifications? Not at all. Landscape designers should have a Diploma or similar qualification form TAFE or a registered training organisation.
When you work with a landscape designer for added peace of mind check they are registered with and accredited by the Australian Institute of Landscape Designers and Managers (AILDM). AILDM will only register individuals that have completed the necessary studies and they hold landscape designers to professional standards.
If you have a smaller project that is relatively uncomplicated, a landscape designer might be the right landscape professional for your needs.
At Your Landscape Journey, we offer a consultancy based service so you can design your own garden with our guidance or let Urban and Rural Design take care of everything and handle your all landscape design needs. Get in touch for an obligation free consultation today.
Questions to ask your landscape designer:
Landscape Contractors – your strong landscape professional
Landscape contractors are your heavy lifters. They do the hard work of bringing the vision created by landscape architects and designers to life.
They may have a TAFE qualification, but it is a qualification that develops construction skills rather than design skills. Some landscape contractors have, however, developed an eye for simple designs over their time on the tools.
Be aware, however, that the results may not be up to your expectations if they do not hold the added qualification of Landscape Designer or Landscape Architect. Think of it this way, if you were building a house you would want an architect to design the home and a builder to build it?
Keep in mind that some landscape contractors have no formal qualifications, although they may have years of practical, on the job experience.
When you work with a landscape contractor for added peace of mind check they are registered with and accredited by the The Landscape Association (TLA). TLA will only register individuals that have completed the necessary studies and they hold landscape contractors to professional standards.
Questions to ask your landscape contractor:
So, you can see that each landscape professional has a role to play. Whether you need one or all of them will depend on your individual needs.
No matter what type of landscape professional you hire, to ensure you get the right landscape professional, it’s imperative that:
If you’re still unsure which types of landscape professionals might be needed for your job, feel free to get in touch with Your Landscape Journey – we can guide you on Your Landscape Journey.
Failing to ask these questions is a mistake. In fact, there are a number of mistakes you can make when it comes to your landscape journey – you can read more about them in our blog post: 4 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Garden.
If it all seems too overwhelming you can always contact Urban and Rural Design and let us handle it all for you. At Urban and Rural Design we have our own team of landscape contractors giving you a smoothly run project. Let’s talk about how that might work.
As published in Outdoor Designer Store
How to choose the right landscape professional …
Is your project complex? If you’re dealing with lots of levels, a sloping site, retaining walls, driveway designs, pool designs, council regulations or anything that is built or intricate – then a landscape architect will be the right landscape professional to engage.
Landscape designers are your true creatives and they generally have an excellent knowledge of plant species. If you have a smaller project that is relatively uncomplicated, a landscape designer might be the right landscape professional for your needs.
They can bring the job in on budget and that they won’t try to push you out of your financial comfort zone
They can bring the job in on budget and that they won’t try to push you out of your financial comfort zone
Can you contact past clients to obtain a reference? Can you see pictures of past work?
What formal qualifications do they have?
Landscape contractors are your landscape construction professionals. They do the hard work of bringing the vision created by landscape architects and designers to life.
Are they formally qualified for the work you need carried out?
Do they carry the necessary insurances, i.e. professional indemnity and liability insurance?
They provide a formal contract for the job so you’re all on the same page
You can establish a collaborative relationship so that your wishes and concerns are heard
Your Landscape Journey – Industry
It is always desirable to keep your clients happy and avoid landscaping disputes.
As a landscape architect, I see my clients at two stages. One is the at beginning of their landscape design journey, and the other is at the end. The question is why would you need a designer at the end? It should all be finished and lived in.
The stage at the end is always the most distressing for my new client, because their journey has gone ‘’pear shaped’’ and they ring me asking for help.
You should research the rules and regulations of council and state legislators as an initial step in the design process. Because without this vital information you cannot discover the ‘constraints ‘of a site, and you cannot turn them into ‘opportunities’ to move forward with the design process. This initial fact-finding mission will save your client wasted time, money and frustration in the long run.
How can we design the solutions if we don’t know what the problems are? It’s like a diagnosis from a doctor. Would you have any treatment without knowing the diagnosis?
You should begin with your research of the council and state DCP/LEP/SEPP/Tree Management Plan / Bushfire / Heritage / Environmental planning documents. A lack of research prior to the design process is responsible for many disputes.
When you are a member of AILDM you have access to some valuable and important documents. Listed below is a selection, of some of resources available to you, however, the website contains more. It’s recommended that you take some time, if you haven’t already, to review all the resources and information made available to you by AILDM.
Some of the following documents are essential reading to protect your right to membership, and others may also prove useful, particularly, if you are just starting out as a professional landscape designer. Use your AILDM Member Login https://www.aildm.com.au/members for access to the following:
For further tips on contracts please read the Small Business Commisioner’s advice on Avoiding business disputes and Mediation and how much does it cost.
(All names have been changed to protect those involved)
Mr & Mrs Pear contact me, as they were completely unhappy with the work completed by ABC Design and Construct.
ABC Design and Construct was engaged to design and construct their project. The main issues I discovered were:
In summary, ABC Design and Construct demonstrated no due diligence and appears to lack a planning procedure for their projects.
Does this case study sound familiar? Or maybe you’d just prefer to get your ducks in a row and hone your professional skills? Angela can help you find your way through to a mutually beneficial outcome for both you and your clients.
Angela Maroney of Your Landscape Journey looks forward to helping you to improve your design process, or dispute resolution and mediation should you need. To arrange a consultation with Angela email angela@yourlandscapejourney.com or visit https://yourlandscapejourney.com/industry/
Angela Maroney, of Your Landscape Journey has over 30 years’ experience, with extensive qualifications in Landscape Architecture, Landscape Design, Horticulture, Consulting Arboriculture and Construction. Angela has a Practitioners Certificate in Mediation (IAMA) and is a member of AILDM.
As published in Landscape Outlook
Research relevant Council, State DCP/LEP/SEPP/Tree Management Plan / Bushfire / Heritage / Environmental planning documents and Australian Standards, ensure your designs adhere where applicable
Keep their budget in mind
Understand when to advise your client to engage an engineer
Provide proof of your qualifications, current insurances and professional affiliations.
Provide client references, photos of work completed or plans.
Provide your clients with a client brief questionnaire to complete
Provide a formal contract for the job so you’re all on the same page
Do you have Home-Owners’ Warranty Insurance for jobs over $20,000?
Establish a collaborative relationship so that their wishes and concerns are heard
We all love to watch the reality TV shows, filling our imaginations with an instant garden. But how real is the outcome?
We all love to watch the reality TV shows, filling our imaginations with an instant garden. But how real is the outcome?
As a landscape architect, I see my clients at two stages. One is the at beginning of their landscape design journey, and the other is at the end. The question is why would you need a designer at the end? It should all be finished and lived in.
The stage at the end is always the most distressing for my new client, because their journey has gone ‘’pear shaped’’ and they ring me asking for help.
Most people start their landscape journey with fabulous images, dreaming of their garden paradise. This is a great way to start, but the only way to progress is through the design process, and yes, designing a garden landscape is a process, if the outcome is to be best suited to the home and budget.
Choosing the right professionals is an important aspect of the planning stage do you need a Landscape Architect or Landscape Designer?