Coordinating Home and Landscape Design Saves Time and Money
By Mel Fabrikant Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 03:13 PM EDT
Goal is to Create Easy Transition Between Indoor and Outdoor Living Spaces
Spring has arrived and with it, active home renovations are being planned and launched. Terry McMahon, landscape designer for Borst Landscape and Design in Allendale, N.J. (www.borstlandscape.com) advises homeowners who are planning or beginning a renovation to consider the landscaping from the start to create integrated, complementary designs and details that reflect their goals, inside and out.
“Coordinating home and landscape design simultaneously helps tie everything together,” McMahon explained. “It makes the whole process run more smoothly, saves time, is better for the homeowner’s budget and will ensure that the final result reflects the homeowner’s wish list with a seamless, integrated home and property.”
Meeting a Homeowner’s Budget and Goals
An award-winning firm specializing in large-scale residential design/build projects throughout northern New Jersey, Borst frequently helps homeowners determine key components to achieve their design and lifestyle goals.
“We worked with one client renovating her home who wanted to maximize a rather small outdoor space,” said McMahon. “We asked the homeowner to list the way she wanted to enjoy the outdoor living space, and the ‘look’ or ‘experience’ she wanted to achieve with a renovation.” Borst then reviewed the architect’s plans and suggested relocation of a rear kitchen door to accommodate a patio on one side and usable lawn space on the other.
“We also worked with the architect to grade the property in a way that provided easy access from the house to the patio and backyard, while creating distinct spaces at different levels of the property. That made the outdoor area seem larger.”
With budget in today’s challenged economy a top priority, consulting with both the landscape designer and the architect is especially important according to McMahon.
“Landscape designers can find ways for construction to avoid damaging or removing existing trees and plant materials during the building process, so that the homeowner will not have to pay for costly replacements later,” she noted. Looking at both the landscape and architectural plans in advance also provides information about necessary permits, and determine those that can be obtained simultaneously, thus saving time and money.
Planning in Phases Can Accommodate Large-Scale Projects
By understanding a homeowner’s goals and total budget in advance of the project, the landscape designer can also create a plan that will gradually phase-in various features over the course of several years. “A homeowner may want to add a pool, or an outdoor kitchen, but it’s just not in the initial budget,” she said. “We can create an area in the backyard that blends in with the rest of the design, and can ultimately accommodate a pool when the time is right,” McMahon explained.
Budgetary considerations also affect the choice of plantings. “If we know in advance the client’s long-term goals for the property, we can select a younger tree that will grow to the appropriate size as the property design develops, rather than starting out with a small, less expensive planting that will eventually have to be replaced.”
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Sometimes a builder, with the best of intentions, can create a situation that turns a small landscaping challenge into a major problem.
In one recent renovation, a builder had constructed a new retaining wall very close to the house, leaving very little usable backyard space. The homeowners wanted to find a way of increasing that space, but the retaining wall made it impossible to bring in any landscaping equipment. “As a result, all materials would have to be hand-carried onto the site, making the expansion project cost-prohibitive. However, if the builder had the opportunity to consult with a landscaper before constructing the wall, this problem never would have existed,” McMahon said.
Working with a landscape architect at the onset of a project can help avoid such issues as poor drainage, windows or doors that inhibit deck or patio construction, steep inclines and long flights of steps, inconvenient settings for pools and entertainment areas, and outdoor space that is inaccessible.
The landscape architect can also help the builder determine the best orientation of the house, ensuring that windows face the best lighting and views, that the doors lead easily to patio, deck, or pool, and that the homeowner’s preference for privacy and curb appeal are maximized.
It’s All in the Timing
Although the indoor and outdoor master plans should be created simultaneously, it can be rather overwhelming and counter-productive to have both the builders and landscapers on the scene at the same time. So, who goes first?
“It depends on the project,” said McMahon. “If major grading changes or retaining walls are required, those take priority. Usually, though, the builder begins first. Then the outdoor hardscape elements are installed, followed by the rest of the landscaping.”
By coordinating each of these steps from the very beginning, the work flow will be smoother and the outcome more satisfying to all involved.
“Having the landscape designer, architect and builder work together makes for easier decision-making in the long-run and a smoother transition between indoor and outdoor space,” said McMahon. “It is the best way for homeowners to achieve their ultimate goals for a beautiful, comfortable and inviting home.”
Spring has arrived and with it, active home renovations are being planned and launched. Terry McMahon, landscape designer for Borst Landscape and Design in Allendale, N.J. (www.borstlandscape.com) advises homeowners who are planning or beginning a renovation to consider the landscaping from the start to create integrated, complementary designs and details that reflect their goals, inside and out.
“Coordinating home and landscape design simultaneously helps tie everything together,” McMahon explained. “It makes the whole process run more smoothly, saves time, is better for the homeowner’s budget and will ensure that the final result reflects the homeowner’s wish list with a seamless, integrated home and property.”
Meeting a Homeowner’s Budget and Goals
An award-winning firm specializing in large-scale residential design/build projects throughout northern New Jersey, Borst frequently helps homeowners determine key components to achieve their design and lifestyle goals.
“We worked with one client renovating her home who wanted to maximize a rather small outdoor space,” said McMahon. “We asked the homeowner to list the way she wanted to enjoy the outdoor living space, and the ‘look’ or ‘experience’ she wanted to achieve with a renovation.” Borst then reviewed the architect’s plans and suggested relocation of a rear kitchen door to accommodate a patio on one side and usable lawn space on the other.
“We also worked with the architect to grade the property in a way that provided easy access from the house to the patio and backyard, while creating distinct spaces at different levels of the property. That made the outdoor area seem larger.”
With budget in today’s challenged economy a top priority, consulting with both the landscape designer and the architect is especially important according to McMahon.
“Landscape designers can find ways for construction to avoid damaging or removing existing trees and plant materials during the building process, so that the homeowner will not have to pay for costly replacements later,” she noted. Looking at both the landscape and architectural plans in advance also provides information about necessary permits, and determine those that can be obtained simultaneously, thus saving time and money.
Planning in Phases Can Accommodate Large-Scale Projects
By understanding a homeowner’s goals and total budget in advance of the project, the landscape designer can also create a plan that will gradually phase-in various features over the course of several years. “A homeowner may want to add a pool, or an outdoor kitchen, but it’s just not in the initial budget,” she said. “We can create an area in the backyard that blends in with the rest of the design, and can ultimately accommodate a pool when the time is right,” McMahon explained.
Budgetary considerations also affect the choice of plantings. “If we know in advance the client’s long-term goals for the property, we can select a younger tree that will grow to the appropriate size as the property design develops, rather than starting out with a small, less expensive planting that will eventually have to be replaced.”
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Sometimes a builder, with the best of intentions, can create a situation that turns a small landscaping challenge into a major problem.
In one recent renovation, a builder had constructed a new retaining wall very close to the house, leaving very little usable backyard space. The homeowners wanted to find a way of increasing that space, but the retaining wall made it impossible to bring in any landscaping equipment. “As a result, all materials would have to be hand-carried onto the site, making the expansion project cost-prohibitive. However, if the builder had the opportunity to consult with a landscaper before constructing the wall, this problem never would have existed,” McMahon said.
Working with a landscape architect at the onset of a project can help avoid such issues as poor drainage, windows or doors that inhibit deck or patio construction, steep inclines and long flights of steps, inconvenient settings for pools and entertainment areas, and outdoor space that is inaccessible.
The landscape architect can also help the builder determine the best orientation of the house, ensuring that windows face the best lighting and views, that the doors lead easily to patio, deck, or pool, and that the homeowner’s preference for privacy and curb appeal are maximized.
It’s All in the Timing
Although the indoor and outdoor master plans should be created simultaneously, it can be rather overwhelming and counter-productive to have both the builders and landscapers on the scene at the same time. So, who goes first?
“It depends on the project,” said McMahon. “If major grading changes or retaining walls are required, those take priority. Usually, though, the builder begins first. Then the outdoor hardscape elements are installed, followed by the rest of the landscaping.”
By coordinating each of these steps from the very beginning, the work flow will be smoother and the outcome more satisfying to all involved.
“Having the landscape designer, architect and builder work together makes for easier decision-making in the long-run and a smoother transition between indoor and outdoor space,” said McMahon. “It is the best way for homeowners to achieve their ultimate goals for a beautiful, comfortable and inviting home.”
