Good landscape design can mean the difference between an average yard and a yard that stands out and commands attention (in a good way of course). It can transform a home, increase its value, and provide your family with a truly enjoyable place in which to spend time throughout the year.
Choosing a great landscape design company is an important part of the process of creating a yard you’ll be proud of and enjoy for many years to come. And choosing the right landscape designer will determine whether you’re happy with the results at the end of the project. Here are five attributes to look for as well as how J Squared measures up.
1. Company Qualifications
Anyone can call themselves a landscaper, but a true landscape designer/architect is trained and certified. They should have a bachelor’s degree in landscaping from an accredited college or university. They should also be associated with a professional organization such as The American Society of Landscape Architects or Ohio Nursery & Landscape Association.
Jeremy has a bachelor’s degree in Horticulture from the University of Cincinnati. He also holds an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician Master Certification and is a National Concrete Masonry Association certified installer. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Ball State University. J Squared is a Unilock authorized contractor.
2. Experience
Experience is another factor to consider. Aside from having several years of experience in the field, the company should have a portfolio of past projects that you can view so that you can decide if you like their work.
As of January 2019, J Squared has been in business for over three years. Jeremy has over fifteen years of construction and design experience while Amy has eight years of design experience. We keep an updated portfolio of our work on both our website and Houzz profile.
3. Company’s Reputation
A good landscaper will usually have a good reputation in the area they serve. Read customer reviews and ask if they’ve won any professional awards or accolades.
We maintain a high satisfaction rating on Facebook and Houzz as well as an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Now that our completed landscapes have started maturing (so we can take beautiful pictures), our goal in 2019 is to begin entering various design competitions.
4. Common Landscape Design Goals
Make sure that the landscape company you hire is a good fit for you by discussing your goals, your budget, and your timeline. Ideally, your goals are theirs too. Ascertain whether they understand what you want, and that they share your vision before hiring them. Discussing money can be awkward, but it’s important to make sure you’re both on the same page regarding your budget and flexibility.
During the initial phone call, we discuss your goals, budget, and timeline. If the project sounds like a good fit, we’ll schedule an on-site consultation. During this consultation, we’ll walk your yard with you, and do a more in-depth discussion of your goals and budget.
It’s okay if you don’t have a budget because you’re not sure how much landscape costs. During both the initial phone call and the on-site consultation, we will provide some ballpark numbers to help you create a budget that’s in line with expectations.
5. Good Working Relationship
Don’t hire somebody you feel uncomfortable with, even if you admire their work. It’s important to have rapport with your landscape designer, which can translate into a good working relationship. They should be creative, courteous, and above all a good communicator. It’s really vital to hire somebody who’s approachable and friendly since they’ll likely be around you, your family and your home for several days or weeks, depending on the scope of your project.
We want you to be comfortable! To achieve this, we strive to be as open and honest as possible. During the initial phone call, we explain our design process and any design fees that may apply. We strive to keep you in the know on where we’re at in the process and what the next step is…and we’re more than happy to answer questions and concerns, because we want to you to be comfortable and we want you to be thrilled with the finished project.