You want to give your outdoor area a bit of a refresh. It might be because you’re looking to sell, you want to get more out of your space or it’s just time for an upgrade. But is professional landscaping worth it? Like building or renovating a home, the planning and design stage of a landscaped garden are critical to achieving a design which ticks all the boxes and is tailored around a specific budget. A good landscape designer or contractor will tailor a garden design to suit you and your budget and provide a specialised construction service to bring your design to life. Here’s why it pays to hire a professional. 1. They have the experience and expertise Gone are the days of a garden design which includes some paving, a bricked-in barbecue and some plants! Many homes these days are designed with indoor-outdoor living in mind, so the yard needs to be designed as an extension of the home. It's the landscape designer’s job to create a layout which will flow and connect with the home. So when you engage with a professional, several technical components will be considered to enhance you design that you might not have even thought of. These include: Zones such as alfresco areas, pools and lawn or play space should blend seamlessly Pools need to be positioned optimally while safety barriers must also be considered as they can be a hindrance if incorrectly located Structural components such as retaining requirements can often form part of a raised pool edge, which can also create an infinity edge as well as a pool barrier when designed at 1200mm height Trees and plants will be selected to suit specific areas and deciduous trees might be positioned to allow winter light into your home and summer shade...