Important Questions to Ask your Landscape Designer in Tauranga

Level up your landscaping and create beautiful outdoor living with help from a professional landscape designer. They will expertly manage every element of your project to make sure the process is straightforward and stress-free and deliver outstanding results you will love.

Before you choose a designer or project manager to work with, you probably have a few questions! The experts at Zones Tauranga have put together this handy FAQ guide for working with a landscape designer.

Ready to renovate your outdoor space? Need landscape design help? Read on!

What is a landscape design consultation?

Every landscape design begins with an initial landscape consultation. It’s an important part of the landscape design process and an opportunity to discuss your goals, vision, budget, landscaping ideas, and any questions you might have – as well as pick up some handy landscape design tips! 

How much does a landscape design consultation cost in Tauranga?

A design consultation will vary in price between individual designers and companies. You may be charged an hourly rate or a flat fee. It’s important to be aware of the fee structure before requesting a consultation.

Zones Landscaping provide a free, one-hour consultation for all customers. This is a great opportunity to ask questions, understand more about the 5-step Zones process, discuss initial design ideas, and see if Zones is a good fit for you. If you decide to move forward, then design work will be part of your agreed landscaping contract price. 

What are the goals of a landscape design consultation?

Two of the key goals of any landscape design consultation are to firstly connect with an expert landscaper, and secondly, to discuss your vision and project scope. If budget is important to you then it makes sense to be upfront about your limits so your designer can discuss an appropriate landscape plan. It’s no point discussing an outdoor kitchen and designer louvre roofing if it’s not in your budget! Let your designer know your goals, and they will work hard to achieve your vision within your budget.

How to prepare for a landscape design consultation

Make the most of your consultation by being prepared! Think about your space and what you want to achieve and be ready to communicate with your designer. We recommend you:

• Establish a wish list – what’s really important to you?
• Get a sense of your style – what looks do you love? What do you want to avoid?
• Think about what is and isn’t working in your current space – are there any pain points, or features you would like to preserve?
• Know your budget – be honest with the designer, and yourself!

 For more helpful tips, read our landscaping planning checklist.

Questions to ask your landscaping designer in Tauranga

Don’t be shy to ask questions as you try to choose the right landscaping specialist. It’s important that you fully understand their systems and that your expectations are met. During your consultation you might ask:

• What can I expect throughout the process?
• How will you help me stay within my budget?
• Tell me about how we’ll communicate
• Can I see examples of your landscape designs?
• Can we talk about landscape maintenance?
• What will things look like during construction?

These questions will help you get a more complete understanding of how the designer works and what you can expect right from the beginning, so that there are no disappointments or misunderstandings. 

Do you have examples of landscaping projects?

An experienced landscaper will have examples of completed projects you can see at different price points. This will help you gather different landscaping ideas, understand what can be achieved for different budgets, and see the quality of the work completed by hard landscaping contractors and other professionals.

Zones has detailed case studies available for anyone to browse, such as this entertainment area renovation in Te Puna, this artfully designed landscape in Papamoa, and this simple pathway and garden makeover in Tauranga. 

Ready for an initial consultation with a landscaping expert?

Don’t wait any longer to create your dream backyard. Get in touch with your local landscaping expert from Zones Tauranga today for a free, no obligation consultation. Our consultants are committed to providing a stress-free landscaping experience and delivering exceptional results. We’re confident we offer the best landscaping services in Tauranga – we know you’ll be happy you chose us!