What to Know About Landscaping Design Defects

When it comes to landscaping, not many homeowners understand the importance. They often think they can handle the dirt work on their own. It’s not that hard, right?

In fact, it is. Not all locations are the same. Each has unique conditions that can affect moisture, sunlight, and drainage. Some places have smooth soil that is easy to manipulate, while others have rocky soil that can be a real headache to do anything with.

You need to create the right layout based on your location, and this often requires the assistance of landscape specialists and even architects and engineers. If you choose to ignore the landscaping of your home, you could run into soil and drainage problems down the road, and fixing these issues can be time-consuming and costly. Here is what you need to know about landscaping.

Causes of Landscape Design Failures

• Skipping the groundwork. About 70% of landscaping failures happen because homeowners start without defining space, budget, or maintenance plans.
• Copying designs without regard for local conditions. Every lot has its own combination of soil, sunlight, moisture, and drainage. Designs need to be tailored to the location.
• Ignoring a proper site evaluation. Experts begin with soil testing, mapping how sunlight moves over the yard, and assessing drainage paths. These steps are often overlooked.

Why Plants Can Be an Issue

Plants can cause landscaping issues because homeowners often:

• Underestimate how big plants get. Shrubs and trees often outgrow their nursery size, and people don’t always plan for that growth.
• Select plants that are not suited to their location. Light, moisture, soil pH, and climate zones all matter, so you need to pick plants that match those factors.
• Disregard mature size and placement. Plants too close to foundations, structures, or each other cause problems down the road.

Overcrowding and spacing mistakes can also occur. Small plants often look fine at first but need much more space when mature. In addition, trees may also be too close to structures. Roots or branches can cause damage, so a good rule is to space big trees at least 15 feet from buildings.

Drainage, Soil, and Maintenance Issues

A common soil issue is wrong grading. If the land does not slope so water flows away from buildings, you risk foundation problems and plant failure. When there is clay or sandy soil, the pH often needs adjustment. Plant mortality rises when soil and site conditions are ignored.

Improper mulching can also be an issue. Piling mulch up against a trunk causes rot and pest issues. Use modest depths and keep mulch away from stems.

Contact Us Today

Defects with a construction project can come in the form of poor landscaping. Poor landscaping is not always a minor defect; it can lead to major problems down the road.

Whether you are a homeowner or a construction professional, a Florida design professional liability lawyer from Linkhorst Law Firm can assist you if your project has suffered from a landscaping defect. We can help you determine if you have a valid design professional liability claim against the architect or engineer who is responsible for the mistake. Schedule a consultation today by calling 561-626-8880 or filling out the online form.

Source:

whiteshovel.com/blog/most-common-landscape-design-mistakes