Every project is unique
All designers are ideally trained and educated with technical understanding first—with the support of the material and practical knowledge of the industry. Applying esthetic value is secondary. All other aspects, including environmental and maintenance resilience, may trail behind in support, even if it is the primary motivation of the
landscape professional.
For custom-built homes, clients confer deeply with architects and designers to ensure the best look and feel of the finished product. Does this mean every project requires a designer? The answer may vary, depending on the depth or complexity of the solution, and does not depend on the overall perceived size of the client’s project.
Case in point
A homeowner noticed their mature rhododendron (evergreen shrub with large flowers) was failing in the same area as their front stone walkway, which was uneven, cracked, and getting worse every year. The natural flagstone path—that was in place for 15 years or more—sloped toward the house, where water collected in a puddle every time it rained. Fully aware of the landscape’s lacklustre, the homeowner was more concerned visitors—especially their aging parents—would have trouble walking the path or could even hurt themselves by tripping and falling. The owner did not expect to live in the house much longer, and therefore, did not see the need to invest in improvements.
Potential fixes
At first glance, this case does not appear be a large project. In fact, depending on the trade, one might think there are many ways to fix the small walkway, such as lifting the existing stones, re-levelling the grade, and re-laying the existing stones or replacing them with equivalent natural stone or precast pavers. The solution seems simple at the initial appearance of the problem—to create a re-levelled and safe walkway for the client.
