landscaping

A great Kansas City landscape design not only compliments the architecture of a home, but can give you many other benefits as well. A well designed and installed landscape can address proper drainage, lower energy bills, provide home security, add curb appeal and safety for the structure and its’ residents. We will conduct a site assessment to determine soil type, slope, drainage, sun exposure, existing structures, other features and utilities that could affect your project.

As one of the highest rated landscaping companies in Kansas City, our goal is to increase your property’s value, create a usable outdoor living space and meet your expectations regarding all other aspects of the project.

Why would you Landscape your yard?

• Homes with ‘excellent landscaping’ can expect a sale price about 6-7% higher than equivalent houses with ‘good landscaping’, while improving landscaping from ‘average’ to ‘good’ can result in a 4%-5% increase. Source: Clemson University.
• Landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100-200% at selling time. Kitchen remodeling brings 75%-125% percent recovery rate, bathroom remodeling a 20-120% recovery rate, and addition of a swimming pool a 20%-50% recovery rate. Source: Money Magazine.
• In one study, 99% of real estate appraiser’s concurred that landscaping enhances the sales appeal of real estate. Source: Trendnomics, and the National Gardening Association.
• Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs up to 50%, by shading the windows and walls of a home. Source: The American Public Power Association.
• Trees can reduce bothersome noise by up to 50% and can mask unwanted noises with pleasant sounds. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Trees can reduce temperatures by as much as nine degrees Fahrenheit. Source: American Forests.

Working With You

Our designers have degrees in either horticulture or landscape architecture. Knowing the mature size of plant materials, the type of soil, water requirements, sun exposure on your site, and the characteristics of plants, from growth habits to proper care needed for keeping them healthy, are things that we consider in each and every design. Keeping views pleasant from inside the home looking out, and views outside that seem to flow together and blend in with the architecture. These considerations help keep harmony while adding an additional living space to your property.

Irrigation concerns are also addressed. Whether it be an existing sprinkler system, a rain garden, or a newly installed irrigation system. Water concerns on site have to be considered, from natural run-off, slope of the yard, natural springs or conservation. Not every type of plant requires the same amount of water, and this also makes the design process complex.

The Right Choices

Lightning recommends and selects only plants which perform best in our growing area. Our relationship with local suppliers enables us to utilize the best materials available for your job. We know which materials are best suited for your landscaping project.

When possible we purchase locally grown materials, which is good for the environment and results in plants that are better acclimated to our area.

From Start To Finish

Landscaping is a home improvement project and requires planning and decision-making. At the initial meeting a comfortable exchange of ideas between you and your designer begins. You describe the landscaping you’ve always dreamed of for your home, and your designer adds their expertise and experience to the discussion. This consultation gives you the opportunity to get answers to your landscaping questions from an experienced professional. Your designer will also want to hear about the goals you have for your property exterior over the next few years. Your design and everything envisioned will be crafted by our talented team into a wonderful masterpiece that you can touch, see and enjoy with family and friends.

From conceptual drawings to the craftsmanship in the field, the talent and knowledge of the Lightning team is reflected from designer to installer. Along with major hardscape construction, the same team of professionals from Lightning Landscape and Irrigation are there to create proper drainage, install the irrigation system and finally, softscaping that will accentuate all of the items in the landscape.

Hardscaping

Hardscaping incorporates several landscape design elements to enhance the appearance of your property. It can provide a fluid continuity from your home’s interior to the yard and from your yard to the surrounding landscape. The solidity and permanence of hardscape also offers an aesthetic contrast to your unique arrangement of trees, shrubs, and flowers. Extra living space and walkways make a backyard safer, more convenient and aesthetically pleasing. Hardscapes also serve more practical purposes as well: many homes and landscaping designs require grading preparation and retaining walls in order to manage erosion and to ensure the site integrity that is required to support a given landscape plan for the long term. While retaining walls are often a necessity, Lightning Landscape will expertly incorporate a stunning retaining wall design into your master landscape design.

The Lightning Landscape patio design team can create beautiful walkways, patios, and retaining walls using stone, brick, keystone, or treated lumber. When retaining walls and other site preparation is required, hardscaping represents the foundation and anchor of landscaping design plans.