Landscape Design vs. Installation: What Memphis Homeowners Need to Know

Getting started with an outdoor project is exciting! 

You might have big dreams for your landscape and you’re ready to get the transformation underway. Whether it’s a project you have been daydreaming about for a long time or it’s a brand-new plan, you are probably eager to get things going.

Of course, if you’re thinking about having a new landscape installed, you might have questions about the process. Often, a lot of those questions are around landscape design vs. installation. 

What’s the difference between these services and who should be performing what tasks?

In this article, we’ll explain a lot more about landscape design vs. installation and what you ought to know about the different ways that landscaping companies often handle these services. We’ll also share some landscape design tips that will help set you up for success.

Having a better understanding about the entire process can help you make the best possible decisions for your Memphis property.

Jump to:

• What to expect from landscape design in Memphis
• What to expect from landscape installation in Memphis
• Benefits of a single provider for landscape design and installation in Memphis
• Choosing landscape design and installation in Memphis

What to expect from landscape design in Memphis

Every great landscape begins with a design and a plan so that there is something concrete to follow. You’d be shocked how many landscapers just improvise. But that’s when mistakes and miscommunications occur. 

Working from a detailed design and devising a plan also ensures that everyone is on the same page.

It shouldn’t just be a quick sketch, either. The best landscape design is a detailed plan that covers all of the bases.

The fact is, the best outdoor living spaces are the product of an amazing landscape design. That’s why it is so important to work with a company that will prioritize this early stage of the process. This means a company that will come out and survey your site, listen to your wants and needs, and then put together a design that makes your ideas a reality.

When comparing landscape design vs. installation it’s important to understand that many companies do one or the other. Or, some companies might “farm out” the design to someone else. 

Ideally, you want to find a company that handles both of these services in-house, as that will help ensure a seamless transition. A design should guide the way for the installation process and you want the same company handling both.

What to expect from landscape installation in Memphis

With an expert design leading the way, the installation involves the physical transformation of your property as ideas start to take shape. 

Installing landscape elements properly requires experience and know-how to ensure that the job is done right the first time. There’s nothing worse than having to go back and 

It is often during the installation process that things can go awry. 

Improper construction of a patio or retaining wall can be catastrophic if these features fail down the road. We know that landscaping is no small investment and you want to make sure that the installation process is done right.

Proper know-how of both hardscape installation and softscape installation (plants) is essential. There are best practices and proper installation techniques that must be understood and executed.

As we’ve mentioned, it’s not uncommon for landscape companies to either do landscape design OR landscape installation. But ideally, you want to find a company that offers both of these services in-house. 

It can make a tremendous difference in your results when the entire design/build process is a seamless transition.

Benefits of a single provider for landscape design and installation in Memphis

Getting the best results definitely does hinge on finding a design/build firm that handles everything in-house. 

Let’s talk a little more about some of these benefits.

• Accountability: When you have one company handling all aspects of the project, that supports accountability and helps ensure that job gets done right. When different aspects of the project are “farmed out” to different vendors (for example, one company handles the landscape design while another actually does the installation), it can be easy to blame shift. But when one company is handling it all, that company is accountable for every step of the process from start to finish.
• Improved communication: As you can imagine, when all aspects of the project are handled in-house, communication is also enhanced.There’s a complete understanding of everything going on with the project at a high level. When different companies are handling different parts of the project, there can be a breakdown in communication (between these two companies and between the company and the client).
• Better cohesion: When your project moves seamlessly from design into construction, there’s overall better cohesion and that’s going to lead to better results. With one company overseeing everything, it doesn’t leave room for miscommunication or misunderstanding. As you can imagine, when the same company is designing the project they’re building, it can make everything go smoother. There is much more unified vision when both the designer and the builders are working on the same team. Even something as simple as a question during the installation process can be answered more easily and prevent setbacks or hold-ups.

As you look for a landscape design/build firm, you also want to look for local expertise. There is definitely value to choosing a company that handles landscape design and landscape installation in Memphis as they will be experts in the local climate, conditions, and market in general.

Here in Memphis we can have some pretty intensely hot summers that can be tough on landscapes. Knowing the local conditions and choosing the right plant material (and smart irrigation) can make a huge difference in the success of your landscape. 

There are some key benefits to choosing a locally owned and operated company for these reasons.

Choosing landscape design and installation in Memphis

At the end of the day, the success of your outdoor project is going to boil down to the company that you hire to do the work. We really can’t stress enough the importance of finding a design/build landscape firm that handles everything in-house. We have seen too many projects go wrong with mistakes that could have been prevented.

In addition to choosing a company that handles both landscape design and landscape installation in-house, you also want to take a closer look at what that company is all about. 

At the helm of any great process is who is leading things. Even with some landscape design/build companies, there are disconnects in the process that are problematic to the end result. 

Oversight from a high level is important.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, Owner and President Jesse Wisley oversees all of the landscape design and installation projects.

When you begin a landscape project with Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, you are beginning a landscape project with Jesse himself. Jesse only takes on 2-3 projects at a time in order to ensure maximum service is provided to his clients. Throughout the duration of your landscaping project with Jesse, you will develop a personal relationship with him, and will always be able to contact him directly. That makes all the difference when it comes to getting the best results.

At Mid South Irrigation & Landscape, the process begins with a high-quality and detailed landscape design that incorporates your wants, needs, and ideas. 

Then, we move on to expert installation, including both hardscaping and plantscaping. By ensuring these items are installed properly, you’ll be able to thoroughly enjoy the final results.

There are plenty of companies in Memphis offering design/build services, but you want to make sure that you choose wisely. When you make a good choice in landscape design/build firms, you gain valuable peace of mind that your investment in your property is going to get long-term enjoyment and value.

Give us a call! We’d love to work with you on your Memphis landscape transformation.

Ready to talk about ideas and have your new landscape designed and built? Request a consultation today.