by Paul Nordmark

Created on: July 19, 2008

If you plan on landscaping your front or back yard, the first thing you need to decide is whether to hire a professional landscaper or to do it yourself. Both approaches have their advantages and disadvantages, so there is no "right" or "wrong" answer to this question. Find out when it is better to use the help of a landscaper or try your hand in landscaping.

It is best to hire a professional landscape contractor if:

1. You want to make big changes and the area to work with is large. Larger the property - the more planning the landscaping will involve. Even though it might seem that hiring a professional is very expensive, you will probably spend more trying different things yourself. Just imagine that you install a waterfall in your garden, but its look and placement is not quite right, reinstalling it will cost you a lot. It is better to hire a landscape contractor to save yourself from disappointment.

2. You don't just want a beautiful yard, but a landscape of a particular style - a unique expression of yourself. Creating such a landscape requires lots of experience and is much more difficult than it looks at first. If you want it done just right, you will need to find a landscape designer who also builds the designs.

3. Similar things can be said about "natural looking" or "formal looking" landscapes. If you want your yard to look like it was created this way by nature, this also involves a lot of work and preparation. Even though the design looks natural, it doesn't mean that it needs any less work, than let's say a formal terrace structure.

4. You are not sure what is possible to do with your property and you want to explore your options. What do you want from your yard? An easy to care for place where you can relax after work, or do you want a waterfall, terraced hillside, retaining walls, rock gardens, stairways or a complete over hall? If this is the case you really should hire a professional landscaper.

Do it yourself landscaping is more appropriate if:

1. You don't want dramatic changes in your current design, just to make it a little bit different. For example installing a fish pond or a waterfall can change the look of your garden without a big investment.

2. You have only a small backyard and you are prepared to spend some time learning the art of landscaping yourself. Even if you know nothing about plants, flowers or herbs, there is so much information on the internet now, that you can find everything you need to landscape your garden yourself. Landscape designers aren't cheap, so by doing it yourself you will save a considerable amount of money. Also it will be a great fun to create something unique and beautiful.

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