Whenever I hear the phrase, "Plan your work and work your plan" it reminds me why so many landscapes are not all that they could be. Often a landscape project is started with good intentions but without a clear picture of the outcome in mind. In these cases the ‘solution’ can create more problems and doesn’t fit with anything else. Time and money are wasted and frustration grows. Having a Master Plan drawn for your landscape can be an effective way to achieve beautiful results. There are many benefits of having a Master Plan before starting your next landscaping project.

Combine and Conquer with an Integrated Approach

Landscape projects usually have a combination of factors involved. For example, you may have a drainage problem, want additional privacy screening and to expand an existing patio to a more comfortable size. But wait! There is also a sprinkler line running through the area, the ground is not level, the area is very dark at night, and the kids need a place to play. A carefully designed Master Plan can address multiple challenges and unify them into a pleasing and workable solution.

Prioritize and Budget Your Dreams

Master Plans break a large project into smaller pieces. It is very helpful when each piece is estimated separately so you can pick and choose which parts are most important to you. Budget for each phase, be in control of the pace of installation and build the landscape of your dreams over time. The Master Plan shows how each of the pieces fit together so work completed in one phase blends perfectly with the next one. Save money, too! A small group of trees planted in the wrong place can be expensive to remove five years later. Avoid the mess, lost time and expense of doing the work a second time by planning it right from the beginning.

Plan to Be Pleased

A final benefit of using a Master Plan for your landscaping is that it makes satisfactory and lasting outcomes much more likely than a hit-and-miss approach. Working with a knowledgeable and resourceful professional designer opens up a world of landscaping options to you. During the design process you can make changes and decisions to suit your particular situation. Clear communication is essential to happy results. In the end, you’ll know you made the informed choices that work and have confidence in the quality of the job.

Nothing builds excitement like seeing progress on a project you’ve always wanted. As each phase is completed your pride and satisfaction with your landscape grows. Build a close working relationship with your designer and have fun with the process of bringing a little bit of heaven to your yard. A Master Plan can take you where you want to go with your landscaping.