 | Justin Cawyer is the CEO of American Lawn & Landscape Inc., and has been in the landscape industry for 22 years. Starting out as a mowing service, their business has expanded to include everything from landscaping to fertilizing and weed control. For a complete list of services, you can see their ad in Names and Numbers, visit yardsbyamerican.com, or call 620-249-5700. |
Lawn, Garden & Landscaping
2011-09-29 14:17:35
DIY landscaping or hire a professional?
Q: We have a yard that is pretty much a clean slate. We have grass but that is all that is out there. It is time that we invest in making the yard beautiful but the question is- do we do it on our own or just hire a professional? I have to confess, our experience is minimal and we’d be relying on the nursery to help in our selections.
A: Many homeowners are faced with the same question and the answer will be based on a few important factors that will help decide what is best for you.
First, how much time do you have and is it enough to devote to an installation project and ongoing maintenance? Often times we fail to realize the scope of the work involved and the project ends up taking longer than we expected. If you have plenty of weekend time, or do not mind having an extended project on your schedule, then DIY is for you.
On the other hand, if you need it done quickly or if yard work is a weekly chore that you find you must force yourself to do, then hiring a professional is your best bet.
Next, consider the purpose of your landscape. Is it something that is purely for your own enjoyment or is a purposeful effort to add value and curb appeal to your home?
Here are a few options:
• Tackle the project on your own
• Have a landscape architect
design a plan which you follow
• Have a landscape architect
design and implement the plan
The last and perhaps the most significant consideration is how do you want to allocate your budget. A common mistake that the average homeowner often makes in landscaping is over buying and impulse buying rather than planning. Just because a plant looks pretty and is in full bloom does not mean that it is the best for your yard. Without a good design in hand when you purchase landscaping materials, you can easily spend on unsuitable materials or buy too much.
The key to developing a successful landscape is to know your needs, evaluate your resources and call in help when you need it.
