Before you call a landscaper

Water first

Grading, downspouts and drainage decide whether the patio heaves and the basement stays dry. Fix water before you build anything on top of it.

Hardscape

Patios, walls and walks are the expensive, permanent parts. Ask about base depth and compaction, edge restraint, and drainage behind walls. Walls over about four feet need an engineer and a permit.

Irrigation

Zones by plant type and sun exposure, a smart controller, drip in beds, and a backflow preventer that gets tested. Ask for an as-built drawing so you know where the lines are.

Plants

Right plant, right place: your hardiness zone, the sun in that spot, the soil and how much water it gets. Native plants need less of everything.

The estimate

A plan or sketch, plant list with sizes, materials with quantities, what is included in the base for hardscape, the irrigation layout, and a maintenance plan for the first season, when everything needs water.