Whether you’re in the market for a small backyard landscaping project or tackling your dream outdoor living project, choosing landscape and design companies in Knoxville can feel daunting.
I recently sat down with Carex Design Group Project Manager Daniel Moriarty to learn the tips and tricks he used when choosing the landscape companies we partner with at Carex Design Group.
Here are a few questions to ask that can help ensure you find a great match from the pool of available landscape and design companies in Knoxville.
What education or accreditation does the designer have?
Landscape design isn’t a regulated profession in Tennessee. Anyone with the will can launch a company and call themselves a landscape designer. Carex Design Group’s Landscape Architect shared details in this blog post about the differences between landscape designers and landscape architects.
There are many qualified designers working in Knoxville so there’s no reason to discount a designer simply because they aren’t a Registered Landscape Architect. The important thing to keep in mind is the level of intricacy of your project and how that matches up with the experience and education of those you choose to work with.
For larger projects with a combination of elements (planting, hardscaping, landscape lighting, irrigation, grading and drainage, structure, etc.) it’s probably better to go with a landscape architect who is trained in the technical and safety aspects of the work. On the flip side, if your project is smaller in nature and involves just a few elements such as plantings, a good designer will bring adequate experience for your needs.
What’s your turnaround time?
If given the choice, most of us would likely say it’s better to be finished with a design or construction project sooner rather than later, but speed on turnaround time from an initial meeting to the start of the project can be a bit of a warning sign when choosing landscape and design companies.
With the current volume of companies involved with residential landscape design and construction in the Knoxville area, it’s common for design projects to require 2-3 weeks before they start. That timeline extends further if you’re having the project built, which can take 2-3 months just to get the job started.
Quicker turnaround times (especially in the height of spring and summer and for complex projects) might indicate that the company’s services aren’t in high demand because of lack of experience, negative customer service issues, or lack of work history in the area.
Although pockets of time can open up here and there (even for a busy and qualified company), it’s not common for quality landscape and design companies to be available to start a job on short notice. Be wary of companies that are readily available as you may find they’re over promising and under delivering.
What’s your history with the type of work I want?
Although there’s a first time for everything and many landscape construction professionals learn by doing, it’s probably best for you to avoid being the guinea pig for the landscape or design company you choose.
By asking about the company’s experience with a particular feature such as a pool, outdoor kitchen, deck or pergola, you can get a good sense of their areas of expertise as well as the depth and breadth of their knowledge.
If they don’t have photos of their built work to show you, it’s likely they haven’t had the experience you want.
Get More Guidance and Contact Us
Asking the questions above will give you a leg up on choosing a good partner from the landscape and design companies in Knoxville and the surrounding areas. Also, get additional tips on selecting landscape and design companies here and here.
When you’re ready to talk about your next landscaping project, fill out our contact form or call us at 865-765-5550 and we’ll share answers to all your questions!