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Landscape Designers, Contractors, Landscaping Software

Landscaping contractors help find landscape designers. Landscaping contractors can save you money in the long run, by putting you in touch with the best local landscape designers. Landscape designers offer previews of projected landscape designs using landscaping software. Landscape architects help you raise real estate value, illustrating ideas with interactive landscaping software.
How to Become a Landscape Designer
While there's more than one way to become a landscape designer, it's helpful to hear success stories. I asked a professional how to become a landscape designer in this interview.
How to Find a Landscape Architect
In trying to find a landscape architect, ask around to see if you can't learn something "through the grapevine." The ideal is to find a landscape architect to whom a trusted local gives a positive review.
Realtime Landscaping Pro Landscape Design Software
Realtime Landscaping Pro landscape design software finally convinced me to advance from drawing plans the old way to letting landscape design software do it for me.
SmartDraw Landscaping Software Review
SmartDraw 7 is acceptable landscaping software for those averse to drawing. The SmartDraw landscaping software offers a plenitude of pretty symbols that can be dragged-and-dropped into templates, as I note in my review. But SmartDraw 7 wasn't smart enough to convince me that good, old-fashioned drawing would be on the brink of extinction anytime soon.
Sample Contract for Landscape Designers and Other Services
Signing a contract is reassuring, if it contains clauses helpful to you -- but a crapshoot if it doesn't. This sample service contract gives you an idea of the kinds of clauses (such as insurance clauses) you should be looking for in contracts. Although the example is for a tree service to remove a tree, the principles apply to work being done by landscape designers, too.
Frederick Law Olmsted
Frederick Law Olmsted is known as "the father of American landscape architecture." Among the more famous examples of Frederick Law Olmsted's work are the design for the Biltmore Estate gardens and Central Park. Find out more about Olmsted and his influence.
Yard Makeovers by the "Garden Police"
On "Garden Police," yard makeovers aren't optional. On this program, the landscapes are so bad that yard makeovers for them are enforced -- by horticultural cops.
Cooperative Extension Services
I often advise readers to contact cooperative extension services for the answers to questions. Why? Well, when it comes to growing plants, the soundest advice usually comes from local experts. They know all about the challenges of your locale, because they've had to deal with those challenges themselves. Marie Iannotti, About's Gardening Guide, tells us all about county extensions.
How to Find Contractors
Besides telling us how to find contractors, Lisa Hallett Taylor, About's Guide to Pool & Patio, provides such useful tips as what questions to ask contractors in this article.
Landscaping Software - 3D Garden Composer 2003
Learn all about "Garden Composer" landscaping software. Detailed product-information section walks you through the features of the software, step by step. The site's "Demo" section gives you a foretaste of what can be accomplished with this landscaping software. A tutorial is also available on the site, in .pdf format.
Choosing a Landscaping Contractor
Professional-looking landscaping adds considerable value to your home. The estimated added value, according to this article from 411 Home Repair.com, is 14 - 17 percent, allowing you a return on your investment of 100 to 200 percent. But choosing the right landscaping contractor for your needs is the key. Find out here.
E-zine Read by Landscape Designers
ProGardenBiz.com is an online magazine for professional gardeners, landscape contractors, irrigation specialists, and others in the Green Industry. If you're thinking of hiring a professional, you can profit from gaining an insider's perspective first. Everything from hiring landscape architects and arborists to hiring a service for mowing your lawn.
Hiring a Landscape Designer
This HomeShow.com article is a good read whether or not you want to hire a professional. There’s plenty for the do-it-yourselfer to glean from this resource as well. Choice of site and selection of plants are just some of the considerations discussed.
Interactive Landscape Design Software Online
Interactive landscape design software online and free landscaping tips for the do it yourself homeowner - from Clearwater Landscape Design. The approach of these professional landscape designers is to let you help them get it right! After all, it's your landscape....
Landscape Architects Defined
Information from The American Society of Landscape Architects. A distinction is drawn between landscape architects and a number of professions with which it could be confused: namely, architects, civil engineers, urban planners, gardeners and landscape designers, horticulturalists and landscape contractors.
Legal Contracts With Landscaping Contractors
ImproveNet.com does consumers a great service in this piece by explaining the fine points of contracts in plain English. Whether you are hiring carpenters or plumbers, landscape designers or arborist, read this story before you sign on the dotted line! Contracts sans legalese.
Pre-Screened Landscape Contractors, Architects, Designers
Here's a way to search for contractors, landscape architects and landscape designers using the Web. The ServiceMagic Web site asks you to enter information relevant to your search, then provides you with matches. For professionals to be listed with this service, they must already have been screened. A safe, convenient way to hire a landscape contractor, architect or designer.
Raising Real Estate Values Through Landscape Architects
A story arguing the merit of hiring landscape architects or designers, from CNN Money. A nicely landscaped lawn can raise property value by 15 percent. The article points to estimates from real estate agents asserting that 95 percent of home shoppers won’t bother with a house on the market that lacks attractive landscaping. So hiring a landscape designer or architect can pay off.
Selecting a Landscape Architect
Advice from the American Society of Landscape Architects on selecting a professional to work for you. Defining your needs, researching credentials, knowing your budget, interviewing and starting early are all recommended and discussed.
Find a Landscape Architect, Hire a Landscape Architect
This site offers a basic guide to landscape architecture services, including the proper questions to ask a landscape architect when deciding on hiring one. Especially useful is this site's contact form to help you in finding a landscape architect in the first place.
Vocational Information Center on Careers in Landscaping
Are you researching possible careers in landscaping? "Explore vocational and technical careers, check out the skills employers really want, find a trade school, research technical topics and take a look at the current job market within the Vocational Information Center."
Flowerpotman -- Traditional Landscape Gardener
The Flowerpotman landscape gardening service handles nature ponds, paving, decking, bronze water features, wrought iron railings and rustic garden furniture. They describe themselves as "wildlife-friendly."
Lawn Care Tips From the Pros
LawnSite.com has a lawn and landscape industry forum where contractors meet and discuss the industry. You can do a little "eavesdropping" to learn what the pros are saying and gain some ideas. They also have a special forum titled, "Homeowner Assistance Forum," where homeowners are allowed to ask the pros questions.
Free Landscaping Estimates
CalFinder landscaping connects homeowners with certified landscaping contractors in local areas across the country. "Our contractors are certified and ready to provide you with free landscaping estimates."
Landscape Design Advice
Landscape design advice from a professional landscape designer. Patio designs, types of paving, creative landscaping ideas, swimming pools, pergolas, outdoor kitchens, driveway designs, landscape retaining walls, landscaping slopes, and much more are all discussed.
Artificial Plants by Commercial Silk Int'l
"Commercial Silk Int'l is a full service design / build company specializing in the manufacturing, design and installation of artificial plants, trees and fire retardant foliages for indoor and outdoor landscaping projects."

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