This is a hard enough business to be in without competing with a potential client’s relatives. It always raises a big red flag to me when I hear a client is going to have their cousin’s oldest son and his friend build the retaining wall and patio. They’ll ask “can I save money if Uncle Jimmy helps”? We want to say “No, that will actually cost you more”. It seems easy, I know. It’s just plants, right?…Not exactly. If you think about it, your lot is probably a larger space than your home. The landscape is the first impression of your property. It’s a wide range of living things, selected to work together in a colorful harmony. Not just the pragmatics of budget, but hardscape material selection, planting availability, drainage provisions, sun aspect and horticultural suitability. Would you have your nephew Ralph build your living room furniture or your in-laws design the landscaping? Please don’t…but if you do, be sure call us later - when you realize that it may be best not to mix your cousin with your construction…
