Exploring Ideas: Designing Outdoor Living Spaces
When it comes to landscaping, it’s usually narrowed down into two different categories: hardscape and softscape. Whether you invest in hardscaping or softscaping, they involve time, patience and energy. We encourage our customers to consult with one of our landscaping contractors regarding the amount of average time they can expect their renovation to take. However, before the customer takes the plunge to fully renovate their property, these are the types of landscaping projects to possibly consider:
Hardscapes
Materials that are referred to as hardscape are: wood fencing, stone, pavers, and plastics and the services include: stonework such as outdoor kitchens, barbecues, fireplaces, retaining walls, fire pits, etc. Hardscapes can also include water features such as fountains, ponds, dry river beds, and waterfalls.
Softscapes
Softscapes refer to the services and installation of plants and other organic materials such as perennials, grass, trees, and soil. Softscaping also includes landscaping design and architecture such as landscape renovation, ornamental beds, and major planning for large estates.
Depending on the extent of your project, it’s wise to always overprice the amount of what it will cost. Some projects vary and can cost anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to thousands. Several factors depend on the financial outcome and should always be considered before the renovation takes place. Quotes are usually and readily available once you provide the company’s representative with your property’s stats.
What to Consider:
- Survey the property prior to your consultation. These will be what is needed in order to provide you an accurate quote. Also be vigilant of any potential problems such as drainage, soil conditions, etc.
- Consider what the primary use of your landscape and how you would want to use it most, such as, is it used for more for entertainment, relaxation, or as a play area?
- Research the type of look and feel you want to achieve with your landscape renovation. This can be done by looking through various yard and home style magazines that give you an idea on pricing and length of the project.
- Vocalize your financial expectations during the consultation and ensure that your budgetary needs will be met. The more that these types of things are ironed out prior to the project, the more of a potential headache you could be sparing yourself later.
- Be sure to check the contractor’s references and that they are true professionals for the job. Hiring only contractors who are licensed and insured is imperative and what will make the difference between a professional and botched job.
- Be sure to cover any potential ongoing maintenance that will be required once the project is complete. Some renovation maintenance will either be required by the contractor or the homeowner and should therefore be discussed in a maintenance schedule.
- Be sure you fully understand each and every contract you sign and are aware of the warranties that are included prior to pricing.
Taking on the steps to pursue landscape renovation can be a whole project of its own, but as long as all things important are considered, it can make for a much smoother process. Being sure to get all of your ducks in a row before you semi-permanently or even permanently change the layout of your yard is a great way to ensure you’ll get the project result you want.
Related posts
My backyard is in need of a makeover and my wife and I are deciding what to do with it. Thank you for explaining the difference between hardscape and softscape. I like your tips about what to consider before hiring a landscaper. Thanks for the info!
You’re welcome. Check back for more informative blog posts.
I didn’t know that landscaping could be broken down into two categorizes. I feel like I pay more attention to softscapes than hardscapes. I wonder which is easier to work with.
Typically it takes more skill to properly install hardscapes such as patios, walks and walls. The skill in installing softscapes comes in the design of them. For example, using horticultural knowledge to place the right plants in the right place to ensure their survival.
Cool post! Thank you for helping me understand what to consider when remodeling my landscape. I like how you said to “Be sure you fully understand each and every contract you sign and are aware of the warranties that are included prior to pricing.” My parents remodeled their landscape a year ago and it helped them a lot to know what they were paying for and why they were paying for it.
You’re welcome! I’m glad our article provided you with helpful information. Make sure to check back for new articles.
Some genuinely nice and useful info on this internet site, too I think the style has got wonderful features.
Awesome write-up. I’m a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a regular visitor for a really long time.
Great post here. Very detailed in each aspect of the two areas, hardscape and landscape. Keep up the great work!