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How To Choose the Right Type of Landscaping Professional

When you want to make aesthetic improvements to your yard or commercial property, it can be challenging to know which type of professional to hire. People sometimes assume that a landscaper, landscape designer, and landscape architect are the same thing and that it does not really matter which one they choose.

As a recent article on Angi (formerly Angie’s List) explains, each landscaping professional has different training and experience that impacts the service they provide.

What Is a Landscaper?

Landscapers plant new shrubbery and trees, remove or replace plants, install sod for new lawns, and create new planting beds among many other duties. According to Angi, most people hire landscapers for one-time projects.

Some landscaping businesses offer ongoing service contracts to complete duties such as raking leaves, mowing grass, and trimming edges around sidewalks. Landscaping companies located in colder climates may also offer residential and commercial snow removal services.

What Is a Landscape Designer?

Landscape designers typically have more extensive education than landscapers who may only have work experience and a high school education. Some have college degrees in horticulture or nursery management and can design new landscapes from start to finish.

When working with homeowners, landscape designers provide a blueprint that helps them visualize the final design of the yard. Landscape designers understand the best location in a lawn or garden to place specific types of plants.

Hiring a landscape designer in your area with this knowledge can save residential and commercial property owners from making costly mistakes. Selecting plants not appropriate for the climate is just one common example. Some fundamental design concepts that landscape designers implement in their work include:

  • Balance
  • Color
  • Proportion
  • Perspective
  • Texture

What Is a Landscape Architect?

Landscape architects typically work on commercial projects such as the following:

  • Campuses
  • Parks
  • Plazas
  • Streetscapes
  • Trails

These professionals may also work with residential homeowners who own a significant amount of property or who have complex landscaping needs. Landscape architects usually have the most education and experience of all types of landscape professionals. They often work in collaboration with architects, community planners, surveyors, engineers, or other high-level professionals to plan and implement a new landscape design.

All 50 states and the District of Columbia require landscape architects to obtain a license before they begin working with clients. Each state has its own requirements that prospective landscape architects must meet before applying for a state license.

When it comes to installing outdoor lighting, retaining walls, paver patios, or irrigation systems, never hire someone without the proper training and certifications.

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Raine Naos

The author Raine Naos