Copyright 2011 Benella Garden Designs, LLC
Call today to set-up an initial consultation. Please see more information on initial consultations.
Phone: 703-944-1559
Email: holly.radus@benellagardendesigns.com
Phone: 703-944-1559
Email: holly.radus@benellagardendesigns.com
Q. Do you provide a warranty on your plants? What if the plants you install don't make it?
A. Yes, we provide a limited warranty on plants for SIX WEEKS. This warranty is voided during the first six weeks if plants are sprayed or treated with chemicals, not watered, or destroyed by physical damage/weather after the installation. Plants are not covered under warranty after the first six weeks because we have no control over weather or maintenance conditions, and as landscape professionals, we do not receive warranty coverage from the nurseries.
Q. What kind of return can I expect on my investment into my landscape?
A. The returns are quite good. Many surveys and studies have been done on this topic, and the consensus seems to be that good landscape design can add anywhere from 5 to 15% to a home’s selling price, and that you can expect to recover 100 to 200% of your investment at selling time. Surveys also have shown that returns on landscape improvements are higher than on other types of home improvements. Trees in particular provide tremendous value in terms of reducing heating and cooling costs, preventing erosion and flooding, etc. For in-depth details on one study, please download this article from the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Q. What should I expect to spend on landscape design and installation?
A. As with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. Of course, costs vary tremendously depending upon factors such as the size of the property, the nature of the design, the materials selected, adjustments made during the course of the project and the time and skills required to complete the installation. A good rule of thumb is to consider investing 10% of your property’s net worth in the landscape.
Q. Why should I pay for a design when I can get it free from a nursery or designer if I have them install it or if I buy the plants from them?
A. There really is no free lunch when it comes to landscape design. When you are offered a “free” design, the design fees are often hidden in other installation costs so it may appear that you are not being charged. When done properly, professional landscape design has significant value for the customer, and designers should be paid accordingly. You may discover that a thoughtful design can actually save you money by presenting specific goals that can be accomplished over time.
Q. What is landscape architecture? What is landscape design?
A. Landscape architects work on a wide variety of projects involving design and use of outdoor spaces and land - from city parks and residential gardens to historic preservation. Landscape Architecture training and education incorporates knowledge and principles from architecture, civil engineering and urban planning. Landscape Design is a subset - and the historical core - of the landscape architecture profession. It deals specifically with site design, plans for the site’s structure and selection of construction materials and plantings.
Q. Why can’t you give me a landscape estimate over the telephone?
A. Each landscape is customized to your needs and the site’s specific challenges. After a visit to your property and further discussions with you, we would be able to give you a range estimate of what could be expected.
Q. What will I have to do to take care of my landscape?
A. Although it’s popular to request “low-maintenance” landscape designs, all landscapes need to be watched and tended to a certain degree. The first couple of years are crucial to a landscape’s healthy development. You will be provided with a plant list with information on the cultural needs of each plant, as well as a basic garden maintenance guide. Of course, we are always available for your gardening and care questions. Please know that watering is necessary and that weeds will come up in your garden from time to time. As a company, we have no control over weather or maintenance once we are done with the installation, so we cannot guarantee the survival of the plants in your landscape.
A. Yes, we provide a limited warranty on plants for SIX WEEKS. This warranty is voided during the first six weeks if plants are sprayed or treated with chemicals, not watered, or destroyed by physical damage/weather after the installation. Plants are not covered under warranty after the first six weeks because we have no control over weather or maintenance conditions, and as landscape professionals, we do not receive warranty coverage from the nurseries.
Q. What kind of return can I expect on my investment into my landscape?
A. The returns are quite good. Many surveys and studies have been done on this topic, and the consensus seems to be that good landscape design can add anywhere from 5 to 15% to a home’s selling price, and that you can expect to recover 100 to 200% of your investment at selling time. Surveys also have shown that returns on landscape improvements are higher than on other types of home improvements. Trees in particular provide tremendous value in terms of reducing heating and cooling costs, preventing erosion and flooding, etc. For in-depth details on one study, please download this article from the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Q. What should I expect to spend on landscape design and installation?
A. As with most things in life, you usually get what you pay for. Of course, costs vary tremendously depending upon factors such as the size of the property, the nature of the design, the materials selected, adjustments made during the course of the project and the time and skills required to complete the installation. A good rule of thumb is to consider investing 10% of your property’s net worth in the landscape.
Q. Why should I pay for a design when I can get it free from a nursery or designer if I have them install it or if I buy the plants from them?
A. There really is no free lunch when it comes to landscape design. When you are offered a “free” design, the design fees are often hidden in other installation costs so it may appear that you are not being charged. When done properly, professional landscape design has significant value for the customer, and designers should be paid accordingly. You may discover that a thoughtful design can actually save you money by presenting specific goals that can be accomplished over time.
Q. What is landscape architecture? What is landscape design?
A. Landscape architects work on a wide variety of projects involving design and use of outdoor spaces and land - from city parks and residential gardens to historic preservation. Landscape Architecture training and education incorporates knowledge and principles from architecture, civil engineering and urban planning. Landscape Design is a subset - and the historical core - of the landscape architecture profession. It deals specifically with site design, plans for the site’s structure and selection of construction materials and plantings.
Q. Why can’t you give me a landscape estimate over the telephone?
A. Each landscape is customized to your needs and the site’s specific challenges. After a visit to your property and further discussions with you, we would be able to give you a range estimate of what could be expected.
Q. What will I have to do to take care of my landscape?
A. Although it’s popular to request “low-maintenance” landscape designs, all landscapes need to be watched and tended to a certain degree. The first couple of years are crucial to a landscape’s healthy development. You will be provided with a plant list with information on the cultural needs of each plant, as well as a basic garden maintenance guide. Of course, we are always available for your gardening and care questions. Please know that watering is necessary and that weeds will come up in your garden from time to time. As a company, we have no control over weather or maintenance once we are done with the installation, so we cannot guarantee the survival of the plants in your landscape.
| • | Residential Landscape Design |
| • | Planting Designs and Consultations |
| • | Container Designs |
| • | Curb Appeal Assessments and Exterior Staging |
| • | Maintenance Consultations |
| • | Native Planting and Wildlife Habitat Consultations |