7 Things to Look Out for When Evaluating a Landscape Designer's Portfolio

When you’re about to hire a landscaping company to transform your yard into a fantastic tropical oasis, everybody will tell you to look at examples of their work.

But when you look at a landscape design portfolio, what are you looking for, exactly? 

If the grass in the photos is dead, they’re out. 
If the patio is uneven and missing four pavers, they’re out. 
If there’s a tent set up in the customer’s lawn because the crew decided to live there, they’re out. 

But what makes them in? What should you look for?

Great inspiration, for one thing. You should say “wow” a couple times. Is there an impressive variety of work? Great attention to detail? Does the scale of the projects you see match the scope of your plans? 

Learn more about what makes a great landscape design portfolio, including: 

Look for inspiration 

Variety of work

Attention to detail

Scale of the projects 

Ask about things you don’t see

Ask questions about the landscape design

Chat with the homeowners behind the photos 

1. Look for Inspiration

You should see some ideas that wow you. Like, you should literally say, “wow!”

Maybe a backyard tropical getaway with palm tree hammocks over a mini sand beach.

Stunning pool design with lighting and fire features that give vacation resort vibes. 

An innovative geometric pattern patio design that combines a poured concrete grid and lush green artificial turf. 

A great landscape portfolio should give you ideas you hadn’t considered, make you think about your yard in fresh new ways, and get you excited about the amazing potential. 

2. Variety of Work

A great landscape design portfolio should showcase a range of styles that shows diversity of design and proves the landscape designer’s versatility.

A contemporary showstopper here, classic traditional design there. 

Is there a pool project? Examples of creative lighting? Plants with pizazz? Innovative patio design? 

You want to see a bit of everything. 

3. Attention to Detail

The big picture might wow you, but zoom in on the details of the landscaping design. 

Is the plant placement perfection? The patio borders precise? Does creative lighting showcase impressive details at night? Do outdoor seating areas have shade? 

It’s often the details that make a landscape design really work. 

4. Scale of the Project: Can They Handle Your Job?

If your landscape dreams are big, make sure they can do a big job. 

Do you see examples of expansive designs with multiple areas and features? Or just simple patios and planting designs?

Make sure they have the staff and equipment — not just great ideas — to handle the job. No, you won’t see that in the landscape design portfolio photos. Which brings us to…

5.  Ask About Things You Don’t See  

Not all the important stuff shows up in portfolio photos. 

A great landscape portfolio is a great start. Then, dig deeper. 

Ask about things you won’t see in photos, like:
Are They a Full-Service Landscaping Company?
Sure, they’re pros at planning a landscape. Do they also do irrigation? Not all landscape design companies do. 

When your landscape design company can also handle your irrigation, it’s a seamless fit, from the initial planning right through to expert irrigation that keeps everything in your backyard tropical oasis healthy and thriving. 

Do they install landscape lighting? Can they take care of your water features? Do they have a top-notch turf care program? Are they plant experts? 

You need more than pretty pictures. 
Will They Stick Around for Maintenance?
Wow, all those tropical plants in the landscape design portfolio look amazing!

Um, how do you take care of them? 

You don’t want a landscape designer who will design and dash. You want them and their team to stick around and help you care for your cool new landscaping as it grows and evolves, with experience, knowledge and pruning skills to keep everything healthy and blooming for years to come. 

6. Ask Questions About the Landscaping Design

As you flip through the landscape design portfolio, get chatty. A landscape designer should love talking about their work and explaining their creative process. 

Why did they tuck that pergola away from the house? Why a circular patio and not a rectangle? Does a backyard really need all that lighting?

Their answers about landscaping design will give you a peek into their design thought process that goes beyond just admiring their pretty work.

7. Talk to the Homeowners Behind the Photos 

See something you love in the landscape portfolio? Ask to talk to a couple of clients who own the homes. 

What do they like about their landscaping? What can they share about their landscape planning process? Would they hire their designer again? 

Ready to Go Beyond Portfolio Photos? Talk to Us 

Sure, we can show you pretty photos with landscape design ideas that will make you say, “wow.”

But you’ll really love the stuff the photos don’t show, from our commitment to top-notch maintenance to impressive customer service you’ll appreciate. 

Partner with Tropical Gardens landscaping design services in Saraosta FL for a picture-perfect experience. 

We can’t wait to get started. 

Give us a call or fill out our form today! Our team of Sarasota landscape experts can’t wait to get excited about your landscaping.