Question
We just purchased a brand new home and need help with designing the landscaping -- where to put trees/bushes/flowers, etc. and what kind.  Our backyard is about 5,000 sq feet and we have to start from scratch putting in grass, sprinklers, etc.  What should we look for in a landscape designer and what should we anticipate paying for a landscape design? What questions should we be asking if we are calling potential landscape designers?  

Answer
Tim,

Congrats on your new home.

Contact local design/build firms and ask for references and go and look at some of thier work.  I would do this for at least a couple of companies.  Tell them exactly what you want for your property from a space utilization stand point.  If you are doing irrigation ask if they do it or sub it out.  As far as cost goes we tech that design costs should run around 12% of the install costs.  Many camponies will wave the design fee if they install the job.

Anyway have fun with this project.

Good gardening

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