7 Tips for Finding the Right Luxury Landscaping Partner in Northern Virginia

Luxury landscaping greatly enhances commercial and residential properties. Your designers must have the technical expertise to draw specifications, plan and cost the installation, and manage all aspects of the project. They should also be personable, have excellent communication skills, and show how your vision will be brought to life. So, how do you choose the best landscape firm? See our seven tips for finding the right luxury landscaping partner in Northern Virginia.

7 Tips For Finding the Right Luxury Landscaping Partner in Northern Virginia

1. They Have an Inspiring Portfolio

As you start searching through local landscape architects and contracting firms, the most critical up-front issue is the depth and breadth of their previous projects. Online portfolios should have a strong gallery highlighting the best of their designs. The gallery should make you want to revisit it time and time again for inspiration and to gain a good grasp of the firm’s design and installation skills.

Another aspect you should be able to glean is whether the landscapers display the design sophistry you want. You need more than just functionality — you want to see the artistry that elevates outdoor living spaces beyond run-of-the-mill and what your neighbors are doing.

2. Their Service Set Stands Up to Examination

Next, look at the design company’s complete set of services. Are they primarily a design service, or do they provide the entire design, build and install experience for luxury landscaping projects?

One of the advantages of working with a highly experienced landscaping firm is that they will very likely have strong trade contacts and affiliations in place. So, for instance, if specialist contractors are required for a project, the firm will know how to find and line up their services. As a result, you will be less likely to experience delays and cost overruns.

3. Qualifications and Memberships Relevant to Luxury Landscaping

Peruse the qualifications of the executives of the landscape design company. Trade or university-level studies provide a good indicator of the company’s professionalism and depth of knowledge.

You should also check what mandatory licenses the landscaping firm should be holding. For example, a state-issued Class A BLD license allows a company to work on high-value contracts in Virginia. And they will be thoroughly familiar with government regulations, safety standards, and building codes.

If they are local to Northern Virginia, the odds are that your chosen landscapers will also understand the local environment, weather extremes, and the most suitable plants for your property.

4. Top Communication Skills

The design company you select should be consultative, friendly, and professional. You need a team that will carefully listen to all your needs and wants and combine them into the overall design. Timely, regular communication goes a long way toward ensuring miscommunication and confusion don’t happen.

Any agreements or contracts you enter into should detail the complete scope of the project and how any changes will be negotiated and agreed upon.

You can test whether the landscapers have the communication skills you need with a phone call or two and query emails. You should assess the following:

• Did they respond with courtesy and appropriate detail?
• Was a collaborative approach outlined?
• Did they offer a follow-up to give you more information without becoming pushy?

5. Satisfied Customers Abound

Check online for any complaints and the quality of reviews about the intended landscape design firm. For instance, are they a five-star reviewed company with highly rated customer service? If so, they could be a good choice for you.

A ready supply of reviews is usually found on social media — Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, for example. Google Business listings are an important source of feedback as well.

6. Maintenance and After Sales Service

If you need your garden and landscape maintained at a high presentation level all year round, consider whether the landscaping firm can provide this service. You may not have time to keep lawns manicured, maintain swimming pools and hardscape surrounds, and perform garden pruning and planting. Who better than the design-build-install team to keep your property in showcase condition?

7. Are Their Quotes Value for Money?

If you can whittle your list of suitable landscaping firms down to three, you’re in a great spot to do the final assessment — quote comparisons. Then, once you have your quotes and all the other information, you should be able to make a sound choice.

Finding Your Luxury Landscaping Partner in Northern Virginia

State of the Art Landscape is a highly experienced team providing the full-service experience for commercial and residential clients. Holding both Virginian Class A BLD and Maryland Home Improvement Contractor licenses, we can design-build-install any landscaping dream you have. Let us show you how to turn your ideas into reality with an on-site appointment.

We service Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. areas.