Professionals educated to create the greatest outdoor settings that increase living space and add value include landscape architects. Installed seating, fireplaces/fire pits, fountains, and patios create inviting spaces that are also environmentally sustainable and aesthetically pleasing.
Landscape designers can answer questions like how long a tree will grow, how much water it will need, and what plants are fire-resistant. They can also help with other issues like erosion, flooding, and drainage.
They Add Value to Your Home
Adding landscaping features to your home can add value to your property. Industry experts believe that well-maintained landscaping increases a home’s appraised value by as much as 12%.
From trees to outdoor living spaces, a landscape designer will help you create an attractive yard that will attract potential buyers. Landscape architects have design education, advanced horticultural knowledge, and graphic and drafting skills to help turn your ideas into reality.
They’re also familiar with local and state laws regarding defensible space, so they can help you plan a landscape that meets fire codes and minimizes your risk of losing your home to a wildfire.
Landscape architects will also consider your property’s natural ecosystem and wildlife when designing your landscape. It ensures that your new garden is a haven for animals and insects and doesn’t interfere with their habitats.
They’ll also incorporate sustainable landscaping techniques like no-mow areas and cisterns to help you conserve water and avoid wasteful overwatering.
Poor landscape design can detract from your home’s value, and a landscape architect will help you avoid this trap. For example, trees too close to your home may increase the risk of storm damage, or a lack of open space can make it difficult to entertain outdoors.
[PS: Also, read our post on Getting Your Home Back After the Storm]
With decent landscaping, Palo Alto house values might rise by up to 20%. Conversely, a poorly executed landscape can reduce your home’s value by as much as 10 percent. Poor planting, improper material selection, and lack of a cohesive project are some elements that can make your landscape less appealing to potential buyers.
A professional Palo Alto landscape architect will consider your outdoor space’s current and future uses and design accordingly.
They Save You Money
Cost is one of the homeowners’ biggest concerns when hiring a landscape architect. Working with a professional from the beginning may require a large upfront commitment, but you will spend less money overall.
It is because landscape architects have a unique perspective on how your property can be utilized and designed to meet your needs, wants, and lifestyle. For example, they know how to properly space plants to grow to their full potential without becoming overcrowded and unruly.
It will prevent you from spending your weekends pruning or moving plants around, which can be a huge time and money saver in the long run. By planting trees for shade, they can also assist you in lowering your energy costs. These structures will keep your home cooler and decrease your energy costs.
Plus, they can design cisterns or rain barrels to capture and recycle stormwater for use in your garden. It will also prevent over-watering, another common problem leading to costly water bills. It is a greener alternative to using sprinkler systems that deliver too much water at once, which can kill your plants and damage your soil.
They Help You Create the Perfect Outdoor Space
Landscape architects bring a unique combination of skills to each project. They use their design education, advanced horticultural knowledge, and graphic and drafting skills to translate their customers ‘ vision into reality.
They also stay up-to-date on residential building codes and know what improvements require a permit. A landscape architect can help homeowners turn their backyards into private retreats where they and their families can relax, entertain friends, and enjoy the outdoors.
They can help create a water feature or fire pit, add seating, and install flowers or trees. They can suggest ways to block noise from nearby streets or neighbors. They can also assist homeowners in reducing their energy costs. For example, strategically placing trees or shrubs around a home can protect it from the sun and wind, reducing heating and cooling costs.
They can also recommend plants that are both attractive and drought-tolerant. This way, homeowners can avoid spending extra on watering and still maintain a beautiful garden. In addition, they can prevent overwatering by creating a system that delivers the right amount of water to each plant.
They Help You Keep Your Home Safe
When planning a garden, water feature, or any other structure on your property, it’s important to work with a landscape professional. They have design education, advanced horticultural knowledge, and graphic and drafting skills to make your vision a reality.
A good landscape architect will also have a working understanding of the structural aspects of landscaping. They keep up with residential building codes and can help you determine which improvements require a permit and which do not.
Landscape architects are often tasked with creating sustainable, low-water landscaping solutions. They can use mulch, permeable paving, and native plants to absorb rainwater and avoid unnecessary irrigation. They can also design cisterns and rain barrels to collect and store water directly from downspouts during dry weather.
Plus, they also know how to protect homes from wildfires by creating defensible spaces. They can design fire-resistant shrubs, trees, and plants to create a safe buffer between your home and the surrounding area. They can even plan walkways, patios, decks, fences, and pools to ensure they’re fire-safe.
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