When one of these five questions come up, you should have a landscape designer ready to tag in. (that’s us – we’re here to help you land that job!)

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1. Can you make it look like this picture but work with OUR space?

What they’re really asking: Can you translate their Pinterest dreams into their actual yard, with its weird shape, giant shade trees, and steep slope?

Why you need a designer: This isn’t about replicating a photo. It’s about teasing out what the client loves about that photo and figuring out what they just can’t live without. It’s about capturing the vibe they’re after and bringing it to their backyard. A designer can take that inspiration and create something that actually works with the space the client has.

Without proper design, the best the client can hope for is a pale imitation that kinda sorta reminds them of the inspiration photo. That’s not going to get you 5 star reviews and referrals.

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2. We want to maximize our outdoor space – what’s possible?

What they’re really asking: How do we fit a kitchen, dining area, fire pit, play space for the kids, and a garden into a 30×40 foot backyard?

Why you need a designer: A good landscape designer excels at space planning, fitting spaces and functions together like dropping pieces into place in Tetris. A good designer also knows when to have that difficult conversation, to say “there’s no way to give you exactly what you want – but here’s how we can get you as close as possible.”

We can also create 3D renderings that help clients actually “see” the finished landscape. That means a faster sales cycle, fewer misunderstandings, and a smoother build, because everyone is on the same page from the start.

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3. How do we handle [this issue] and make it look good?

What they’re really asking: Can you solve our functional problems while still making this a backyard we want to be in?

Why you need a designer: Sometimes the site demands something that isn’t something you (or the client) would like to look at all the time. That can be a drainage swale, a retaining wall, or a parking pad for that extra car. A good designer can integrate almost any functional need in a way that looks intentional and attractive.

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4. Can you design something that works now, but we can add to in phases?

What they’re really asking: We have a limited budget this year, but we’ll have more money next year – and we want it all to look cohesive.

Why you need a designer: This is the clearest signal that you need the help of professional designer. Phased projects require someone who can see the complete vision and break it down into logical phases of construction, where phase one doesn’t have to be ripped out for phase two to work.

A good landscape designer can create a plan that accounts for all the necessary infrastructure in step one, so that the conduits are already in place for phase three’s outdoor kitchen or phase five’s pergola. We can look at factors like access and make sure that we’re not making future phases prohibitively expensive. And we can design everything in a way that won’t look like it was done piecemeal. No one needs to know the project was split up, just you and your client.

Bringing in a designer to help create a phased landscape plan makes you the trusted advisor and locks you in for future phases.

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5. What would you do if this were your house?

What they’re really asking: This client is actually saying “help! We’re overwhelmed and don’t even know where to start!” They’re looking for an expert to guide them.

Why you need a designer: When clients ask this question, they’re admitting they need creative direction and expertise they don’t have. This is a compliment—they trust you—but it’s also a trap if you’re not prepared to deliver design-level thinking.

A designer can dig in and spend the time getting to understand what the client wants and needs, freeing you up to run your business. We’ll get to the bottom of what they REALLY want and deliver a design that will make you the hero.

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The business case for outsourced landscape design

Most landscape contractors can’t afford a full-time designer. The workload is seasonal, the overhead is high, and good designers want stability you might not be able to offer year-round.

That’s exactly why outsourced design services exist. You get professional-grade plans, renderings, and specifications exactly when you need them—without the payroll burden, without managing another employee, and without turning down projects that require design expertise you don’t have in-house.

When a client asks one of these five questions, they’re telling you this project matters to them. They’re invested. They’re ready to spend real money. And they’re looking for a contractor who can deliver more than muscle and machinery—they want vision, expertise, and confidence.

We understand contractor workflows, we speak your language, and we can deliver plans you can actually build from. Because the best answer to these client questions isn’t a guess—it’s “Let me show you exactly what we can do.”

Ready to stop leaving money on the table? If you’re hearing these questions from homeowners and you want to provide them with the best possible results, let’s talk. I’d love to show you how outsourced landscape design can help you win better, more profitable projects and deliver work you’ll be proud of.

Contact us today to get the process started!