Having sold plants to over 1,000 Landscapers and Garden Designers, just getting a little confused over the boundaries that are set within our industry?
Don't get us wrong, we will sell to anyone that is genuine Trade.
A Landscaper - one that Landscapes a garden, yes or no? Does it all. Paving, decking, fencing, walling, turfing and planting?
A Garden Designer - Designs a garden to be built by a Landscaper? Yes or no?
Over the last week or so, Builders have entered our area, though this is not the first time. Not through ourselves, but through a Designer client of ours. So, what makes a Landscaper different from any Builder?
Builders do houses, so by that end can do patio's, decking, fencing, et all. We think not, but would like to hear your thoughts...
Landscapers can do patios, decking, fencing et al. The same as Builders then?
This is important, as many true "Landscape jobs" have been lost to Builders.
So to help all.
- What is a Landscaper?
- What is a Garden Designer?
- What role do Builders have in Gardens?
Think that we know the answer, but would love comments.
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Replies
Richard,
Love your reply, more please
richard davenport said:
Seems to me, the edges get blurred: property developers will often use builders to hard landscape around houses or flats. Amenity projects often use the builders or ground workers to build paths and terraces. Times are hard.
But if it's been designed by a Landscape Architect, or they want the land 'sculptured', or they want to use good quality materials, or they want the plants to have a decent chance of survival, they call in proper Landscapers.
so, in a domestic garden?
Landscapers tend to make beautiful gardens where as builders seem to be good at wrecking them. I have seen landscapers who whilst good at the hard aspects of the job, knew nothing or very little about the soft/green side of it. Probably failed builders who went in to landscaping.
yeah but like wise Stuart I have rectified hard landscaping work carried out by so called landscapers and i don't mean a one man band outfit either
1... What is a Landscaper?
someone who landscapes gardens but it could be a hard landscaper a soft landscaper or a person who does both
2... What is a Garden Designer?
someone why designs gardens
3... What role do Builders have in Gardens?
what is a builder
A person who constructs something by putting parts or material together over a period of time
A person whose job is to construct or repair houses, or to contract for their construction and repair
A person who constructs the property on behalf of the developer
there is a difference between a builder and a bricklayer or paver what would normally be the trades employed to construct walls patio's etc in a hard landscaping environment
that said a lot of builders are bricklayers by trade and are more than entitled to work on hard landscaping work and would be normally more skilled than a person straight out of horticultural college who thinks now they have completed a 3 year course they can hard landscape someone garden to a high standard
its one thing being able to name plants in Latin but in my opinion something completely different being able to construct a driveway patio or wall what will last longer than the time it takes to clear the cheque ;)
Agree with Paul - depends on the competencies you need.
Got a project at the moment (agricultural land, but actally a horrible brownfield site/hard standing) where it looks like client will use a builder for the most hard landscaping (carting away tons of clay subsoil, big retaining walls etc), and then a landscaper to import topsoil, do planting, irrigation, .... and most likely the decking, lighting and other "details".
I do think you need proper drawings and specs if you're thinking of using a builder, whereas you can rely more on a (good) landscaper's experience and knowledge.
I think your completely under valuing the college courses in landscaping.
I have just completed an ND in landscape from a reputable college after spending around 6 years in the industry. i started as a landscape apprentice as when I left school, and maybe your right in saying that people who have completed a college course in landscaping when having no previous experience in the industry are not capable of landscaping someones garden to a high standard. Dont get me wrong there were certain people on my course that could never get a job landscaping, ND or no ND.
But on the other hand, does laying patios and drives from age 16 give a person the chance to look at new technologies, new trends in the industry and learn skills that doesnt just involve labouring or hard landscaping?
The college courses give so much to the student that the industry could not. they allow students to explore ideas in design and construction, imporve their design skills, learn business skills and gain an exellent qualifications at the same time. I could still be layin drives and patios for the same companies and be a very good landscape craftsman, but the ND gave me the opportunity to start my own business with a clear business plan and extra skills to benefit. For example the college taught us how to construct a permeable paved driveway with the new porus paving, something that I could never learn while out being a normal landscape craftsman.
So in reply to "
its one thing being able to name plants in Latin but in my opinion something completely different being able to construct a driveway patio or wall what will last longer than the time it takes to clear the cheque ;)"
i think you should actually look into what a college course involves.
A Landscaper should be a good all rounder, capable of producing high quality work(him/herself) in all aspects of hard and soft landscaping as well as providing basic plans/layouts.
I would expect a Garden designer to be able to take the design aspect further, with imaginative, detailed and practical ideas.
The difference between a Landscaper and builders work.............finesse!
I don't think there's a definition available that can categorise the landscape and garden trades succinctly.
I've seen excellent builders overlap creatively into hard landscaping and I've see good builders fail at making a good garden.
I've seen good hard landscapers ease effortlessly into soft landscaping and I've seen soft landscapers construct the most wonderful gardens.
I've seen gardeners create the most creative planting schemes but fail miserably in building/laying a patio.
I've seen a good hard landscaper create elegant planting plans and I've seen....you can fill in the rest and I could go on:-0).
The definition of our industry isn't up to us collectively; the most important thing is for the individual to define themselves and be honest about what they can do.
If you are a builder who aspires to do landscaping work then the tools are available (i.e. the internet) to back up their position with testimonials, photos and videos.
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