Hardscaping, Landscaping
Choosing the Right Landscape Designer in Overland Park
Your landscape designer shapes the look, feel, and function of your outdoor space, so choosing the right one makes a big difference for your end result.
Many designers focus only on their design concept, ignoring the practical aspects of implementing these plans. At GD Services, our well-rounded team balances ambitious design with adaptable solutions to overcome any installation challenges. Our balanced approach ensures long-term functionality and beauty.
From consultation to installation to final results, we’re giving you the insider details on landscape design. Ready to discover what hiring a landscape designer in Overland Park really looks like?
What is landscape design?
Landscape design takes many forms. Some contractors specialize in different areas, such as reshaping terrain, putting in plants, or installing hardscapes. Some professionals only create the initial design, never setting foot on your property. And then, there are companies that do it all—companies like GD Services.
It’s helpful to understand each of the specialities within landscape design, so you can find a contractor with the skill set your space requires. Let’s break down these different areas.
Landscape Engineering
Landscape engineers ensure your outdoor design is structurally feasible. Like structural engineers for outdoor spaces, they determine where to place retaining walls, drainage systems, and other foundational elements. Their expertise dictates the size, scope, and positioning of these structures to support a stable, well-functioning landscape.
Softscaping
The softscaping discipline concentrates on plants, trees, and lawns. Experts in this area have knowledge of many plant characteristics, such as mature size, hardiness, maintenance needs, and light and soil preferences. Talented softscapers use the living elements of your yard to add significant visual and functional value.
Hardscaping
Hardscaping contractors dedicate their efforts to the non-living elements of your space. These specialists design and install patios, walkways, retaining walls, and much more. Integrating well-planned hardscapes can transform your property by customizing various areas for relaxing, entertaining, cooking, and more.
Design-Build Landscape Design
All these landscape design specialities have their place and can add value to your project. However, you get the best results when you choose a company that offers full-service landscape design—structural engineering, softscaping, hardscaping, and design.
With a comprehensive understanding of each area, full-service professionals can consider every element simultaneously, ensuring they complement each other. But finding a full-service landscape designer in Overland Park can be tough.
Lucky for you, the GD Services team performs the entire scope of landscape design work!
Landscape Architects vs. Designers
An important distinction lies between a landscape architect and a landscape designer in Overland Park. Both of these professionals can provide valuable support for your outdoor renovation, but their approaches look different.
Landscape architects are typically office-based design specialists, not involved in the construction phase. Landscape designers, like GD Services, collaborate closely with clients to coordinate their installations and adapt to on-site needs, blending technical wisdom with practical experience.
What to Expect During a Landscape Design Consultation
Any landscape designer worth their salt will visit your property for an assessment before agreeing to a project. This initial consultation offers immense value, as seeing a space in person provides infinitely more insight than photos and measurements can.
During the landscape designer’s visit, they should assess the space for accessibility, potential challenges, and other relevant concerns. While you walk the property together, they’ll ask questions about your needs, goals, and preferences.
When GD Services comes out for a site review, we ask key questions like:
- What are your overall goals for this space?
- How do you see yourself using this space day-to-day?
- Are there any ongoing problems that need to be addressed?
- Do you want privacy screening or do you prefer an open feel?
Your responses help us design an outdoor living space you’ll love. After your consultation, we’ll present a design and bid for you to consider.
How to Evaluate a Landscape Designer’s Expertise
Besides kicking off your project, the initial landscape design consultation offers you a chance to evaluate your potential contractor. Knowing what to look for and testing their competence will help you choose the ideal landscape designer in Overland Park for your needs.
Expertise
Gauging a landscape designer’s level of expertise can be challenging. After all, it’s their job to be informed, not yours! Unfortunately, professionals aren’t always trustworthy, so you should prepare to judge their authority.
To determine your designer’s skill level, here are common mistakes landscape designers make that you can use to evaluate their knowledge.
Wrong Plant, Wrong Place
Effectively selecting and placing plants plays a huge role in landscaping. Plants have many characteristics that affect their growth and the surrounding plants. Ignoring these aspects can disrupt your outdoor space.
Far too many landscapers choose plants based on how they currently look. But a plant that suits the space now might not stay that way in the future. Overlooking a plant’s mature size, a frequent error, causes overcrowding that negatively impacts the plants’ appearance and health long term.
It’s also key to factor in a plant’s hardiness, soil needs, toxicity, and light requirements. Here are some examples:
- Drought-resilient boxwoods won’t thrive in wet soil.
- Black walnut trees will stunt nearby foliage with their toxic secretions.
- Shade-loving hydrangeas are sure to wither in full sun.
Layout Letdowns
A well-planned outdoor layout will ensure smooth foot traffic and easy access for lawn care and other projects. Achieving a logical layout simply requires your landscape designer in Overland Park to ask questions like:
- What path would most people take to move from the patio to the fire pit?
- Can a lawn mower make this turn?
- Will large equipment fit here for future landscaping jobs?
Attending these details takes a landscape designer from amateur to aficionado.
Many designers also choose poor placements, such as mistakenly putting expensive plants over utility lines. City workers may tear up these plants during their next maintenance visit, costing you time, money, and effort.
Layout decisions should also pay attention to their context, such as your neighbor’s landscaping and nearby roads. Carefully integrating these elements into your seating and lighting choices will maximize the potential of your space.
Adaptability
A landscape designer in Overland Park that emphasizes flexibility shows a clearer understanding of their work. We’re taming mother nature in your backyard, so complications will undoubtedly arise. Success comes from adapting quickly to new challenges.
Make sure your landscape designer fully realizes the connection between design and installation. Good designers know they may need to deviate from their initial plan when installation challenges occur. A landscape designer who leaves zero room for flexibility is short-sighted, and that’s a major red flag.
Balanced Approach
A high-quality landscape designer accounts for the functionality, aesthetics, and durability of their work. If they lack attention in any of these areas, it can jeopardize your project.
At GD Services, we have the expertise to balance your goals through our design and installation process. We can create a cohesive, long-lasting landscape that enhances your space’s beauty and usability.
Strong Portfolio
Last but definitely not least, we recommend you ask to see a portfolio of the designers’ completed work. While designs and sketches can be impressive, the installation process presents a completely unique set of challenges, including site conditions, timing, and weather interruptions.
Before-and-after images of your potential contractor’s work give you the ultimate insight into how well they navigate these challenges to deliver results. This visual evidence gives you the confidence to trust the designer with your own project.
Our Approach: Balancing Design & Installation for Seamless Results
At GD Services, we excel in 4 key areas, setting us apart from every other landscape designer in Overland Park.
Integrating Hardscaping and Softscaping
From properly installed pavers to conservative plant spacing, every choice we make in your yard comes from our commitment to cohesion.
To create a beautiful, long-lasting outdoor space, the hardscaping and softscaping elements must work together. By carefully considering how each design aspect interacts, we can ensure a smoother experience and avoid potential issues down the road.
Evaluating Surroundings for Negative Impacts
We consider all aspects of your surroundings in our designs, from your neighbor’s overgrown shrubs to the sidewalk stream of dog walkers.
Using tall, dense hedges or lattice screens with climbing plants, our team can minimize outside eyesores and distractions.
Ensuring Proper Functionality
GD Services significantly prioritizes the functionality of your outdoor living space.
Not only does this improve your experience, it prevents issues. For instance, neglecting to install walkways in highly trafficked areas leads to compacted soil, which causes problems with drainage, plant health, and more. We think proactively about the impact of living in a space and adjust our designs accordingly.
Addressing Common Homeowner Concerns
We always consider common homeowner concerns, such as drainage, lawn health, and curb appeal.
From our first visit to your property to the last, we watch out for these frequent issues. With our eyes peeled for squishy areas, problem downspouts, and your foundation height, we stay mindful of your needs.
Choose the Right Landscape Designer for Your Outdoor Space
Choosing the right landscape designer in Overland Park plays a crucial role in achieving a cohesive, functional outdoor space. Ensure your property receives the careful attention and premium services it deserves by hiring our full-service team.
Take a step in the right direction by booking your consultation with GD Services.