3 Things to Know Before Your Landscape Consultation
You've finally decided to do something about your yard.
Maybe you're tired of looking at the same boring landscape every day. Maybe you're ready to actually use your outdoor space instead of just enduring it. Maybe you've been putting this off for years and you're finally ready to invest in your home.
Whatever brought you here, you're about to have a landscape consultation. And if you want to get the most out of that meeting (and avoid the "I wish I had thought of that" moment later), there are three things you need to figure out before we sit down together.
Trust me—a little prep work on your end makes the whole process smoother, faster, and more likely to result in a design you'll love.
1. Know How You Actually Want to Use Your Space
The question I always ask: "When you imagine your perfect evening in this space, what are you doing?"
Why this matters: I can design the most beautiful landscape in the world, but if it doesn't fit how you actually live, you'll never be happy with it.
Think Beyond "Pretty"
Instead of: "I want it to look nice"
Think: "I want to sit outside with my coffee every morning" or "I want the kids to have space to play" or "I want to host dinner parties for 8-10 people"
Instead of: "I want more color"
Think: "I want something beautiful to look at from my kitchen window" or "I want flowers I can cut for the house"
Instead of: "I want low maintenance"
Think: "I want to spend maximum 2 hours per week on yard work" or "I travel a lot and need plants that survive neglect"
The Questions to Ask Yourself:
Morning person or evening person? This affects where we put seating areas and how we orient spaces.
Entertaining style? Intimate gatherings vs. big parties require different layouts.
Kids and pets? Current ages, activity levels, and how that might change over time.
Hobbies and interests? Gardening, grilling, reading, games—what do you actually enjoy doing outside?
Maintenance personality? Do you love puttering in the garden, or do you want to set it and forget it?
The Reality Check Questions:
How much time do you actually spend outside now? If the answer is "almost none," we need to figure out why and design to address those barriers.
What prevents you from using your yard more? Too hot, no shade, no comfortable seating, mosquitos, privacy issues?
What time of day would you most likely use this space? Morning coffee, afternoon kid time, evening entertaining?
2. Have a Real (and Realistic) Budget Range
The conversation nobody wants to have: Money. But we need to talk about it.
Why this matters: I can design a $5,000 landscape or a $50,000 landscape for the same space. Without knowing your budget, I might design something you can't afford—or something that's way less than what you're willing to invest.
Budget Reality in Nebraska (2025 numbers):
Basic refresh ($3K-6K):
Mulch refresh, basic plantings, simple improvements
Good for: Updating existing landscaping, adding seasonal color
Moderate makeover ($6K-15K):
New planting beds, trees, basic hardscaping, irrigation
Good for: Transforming a specific area, adding functionality
Comprehensive landscape ($15K-30K):
Major hardscaping, mature trees, full irrigation, lighting
Good for: Complete yard transformation, extensive entertaining areas
Luxury landscape ($30K+):
High-end materials, water features, outdoor kitchens, extensive lighting
Good for: Creating resort-like outdoor living spaces
How to Think About Budget:
Consider it an investment. Good landscaping adds to your property value and your quality of life.
Think about cost per year. A $15K landscape that lasts 15 years costs $1,000 per year for daily enjoyment.
Factor in maintenance costs. Cheaper installations often cost more in long-term maintenance.
Consider phasing. You don't have to do everything at once. We can design for your ultimate vision but install in phases.
What to Tell Your Designer:
Be honest about your comfort level. "We're hoping to stay under $10K" or "We can go up to $25K if it's really going to transform the space."
Mention your priorities. "Budget is tight, but the drainage problem has to be fixed" or "We'd rather do fewer things really well than lots of things cheaply."
Ask about phasing options. "If we can't do everything this year, what should we prioritize?"
3. Collect Inspiration, But Stay Flexible
The Pinterest problem: You've saved 47 pins of gorgeous landscapes that have nothing to do with Nebraska, your budget, or your actual lifestyle.
Why inspiration matters: It helps me understand your aesthetic preferences and the feeling you're going for.
Why flexibility matters: What works in Southern California doesn't necessarily work in Omaha. And what works for someone with a full-time gardener doesn't work for someone with a full-time job.
How to Collect Useful Inspiration:
Focus on feeling, not specifics: "I love how peaceful this space feels" rather than "I want exactly these plants"
Save images of different elements: Patios you like, color combinations that appeal to you, layouts that make sense
Pay attention to scale: That gorgeous pergola might be perfect for a 2-acre lot but overwhelming in your backyard
Consider your home's style: Mediterranean design might look amazing online but feel wrong next to your Prairie-style house
What to Share with Your Designer:
2-3 images that capture the mood you want (not 20 images of completely different styles)
Specific elements you definitely want ("I definitely want a fire pit" or "I need shade over the patio")
Things you definitely don't want ("No formal gardens" or "Nothing that requires daily watering")
Colors or styles that appeal to you (but be open to Nebraska-appropriate alternatives)
Questions to Ask During the Consultation:
"How would you adapt this idea for our climate?"
"What would be the Nebraska version of this look?"
"If we can't do exactly this, what would give us a similar feeling?"
What to Expect from a Good Consultation
We'll walk your entire property
Not just the problem areas, but everything. I need to understand how spaces connect and flow.
We'll talk about your house
The architecture, the windows, how you move between indoor and outdoor spaces.
We'll discuss practical stuff
Drainage, sun patterns, soil conditions, maintenance access.
We'll talk timeline
When you want to start, if there are any seasonal considerations, how long the project might take.
You'll get honest feedback
About your budget, your ideas, what's realistic, and what might need to be modified.
How to Prepare for Maximum Success
Walk your property with fresh eyes. Look at it like a visitor would. What works? What doesn't?
Take photos from inside your house. What views do you see from your main living areas?
Note the sun patterns. Where does it hit throughout the day? Where are the shady spots?
Think about your neighbors. Where do you need privacy? Where are the good views to preserve?
Consider your timeline. Are you in a rush, or can this project unfold over time?
The Bottom Line
A good landscape consultation is a conversation, not a sales pitch.
I want to understand your life, your space, and your vision so I can create something that actually works for you.
The more thought you put into how you want to use your space, what you can realistically invest, and what aesthetic direction appeals to you, the better our conversation will be.
And the better our conversation, the more likely you are to end up with a landscape you'll love for years to come.
Come prepared, stay flexible, and let's design something amazing together.
💛 Ready for a consultation that actually listens to your needs?
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📍 Serving thoughtful homeowners in Elkhorn, Bennington, Gretna, West Omaha + surrounding areas
Because the best landscapes start with understanding how you really live.