Preparing For Initial Consultations
Renovating a landscape offers endless possibilities and an opportunity to make an environment your own. To achieve the desired results, it’s important to clearly convey your expectations. The initial meeting with a client is where designers gain insight on important factors such as lifestyle, function, style, and budget.
Your lifestyle defines your needs and is a vital consideration. Young families often need to avoid fall hazards, benefit from coaching on plant care, and anticipate future needs. Retirees and busy professionals require convenience, lowmaintenance, and simplicity.
If you take a moment to identify your lifestyle demands and inform your contractor, it ensures a design well suited to your routine. If you’re new to renovations or have no knowledge of landscape design, Pinterest boards, magazines, and example sites are great ways to communicate your personal taste. The landscape works best when it complements the architecture and space around it.
Incorporating a flair from another style with the help of a knowledgeable designer can give your yard that pop that makes it stand out. In function, there is beauty. Features like steps, walls, and screens can become keystones of a project with the right material and placement. Many features that aid in aesthetics serve a dual purpose.
It’s important to explain the issues you’re facing and rely on the designer’s expertise to solve the problem in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Budget is an important consideration. It’s perfectly reasonable to be unsure of the price tag of your wish
list, and the only way to find out is to have it bid by a reputable contractor.
By communicating any budgets upfront, you can streamline the design process. Every project is unique, but planning ahead and adequately communicating your wants and needs will get your project moving in the right direction from the start.
Brendan Rost is a Columbia native and son of Rost Landscaping owners Tim and Toby Rost. He grew up playing at the garden center and nursery and has worked in all divisions of Rost Inc. Brendan received his degree in horticulture and design from MU and now works as a designer in the landscaping division. He thrives on building relationships and creating unique landscapes that complement their space.
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