I think landscape architect or landscape designer is the way to go. The title isn't as important as the talent. Word of mouth is the best way to find someone. Also, with spring here (although it is COLD in Georgia this morning!), garden tours will be popping up. You might want to check out a few, or at least read about who designed what and zone in on what you want. Your architect may have a recommendation as well. We talked to two people - one our architect recommended from Atlanta and one our local friends recommended. The architect recommended one wanted 14,000 for a master plan (large lot but we left most wooded), and the local guy 1500. Both are landscape architects with degrees from highly regarded landscape architecture schools. Needless to say, we went with the local guy and have been thrilled. He has done a great job so far (we wanted him on board to site the house and design the driveway and walkway before grading), and we will see but I think he gets what I want. We wouldn't have known about him if we didn't ask around!

"My experience here is that the pool neither hurts nor helps you when selling." Of all the homes I have bought and sold, in only two cases did I desire a pool - in all of the other cases I did not want a pool. Interestingly, the pool I bought in San Diego got little use because the average summer temperature there was 72 degrees and thus the pool temp was 72. Even then, utilities were so high that heating it was a real negative. That said, no winterizing costs, maintenance cost very low as every wannabe surfer dude wanted a pool cleaning route and worked for peanuts. The pool I had in Northern VA got lots of summer time usage with out the need to heat, but there was winterizing expenses and no surfer dudes. All in all, I would not remove a pool for selling purposes based on my experience.

People will take the shortest route from point A to point B. Try to put straight, shortest-distance pathways from your house to the pool and arbor. This doesn't mean you can't use curved paths. Shortest-distance paths can have curves. For instance if the pool and arbor are near each other you could curve the path toward both but have it split at some point into two paths. Just remember that if you use a curved path you may need a shrub or tree that forces people to follow the path. Curving paths are great in a heavily planted garden because they offer the anticipation of what is beyond the next corner. However, a long, straight path can give a sense of destination.

I am referring to my personality, diving in with no planning. Not listening to solid advise. Being offended when opinionated house posters blew it up with critiques.Taking offensive to snooty, condescending summaries about a plan I had chosen. Not seeing past the tone of the message, not looking for someone that would work for me and with me. REFUSING to respect that there is a reason we each excel in different walks of life. Just don't mess with the ones you don't like, same philosophy with all our life choices. You'll hate some, but, there are professionals that truly could have helped me build a better home. I was not receptive at all, just got angry. I'll show them! I Disregarded that the chosen CAD program had flow issues. I didn't even understand the basic drawings. it did, it does.I have zero ability to translate a 5x7 closet into how that closet actually works. The laundry room, same, way too small. pantry, too small. what do those little drawings mean! I have two trained architect friends, and I was certain they weren't understanding I had to move, quickly, with no time for frivolous refinements. Had to break ground by fall, all those laid off Craig's list tradesman would certainly have more time, give my project the thought it needed, and I assumed you wouldn't say you could dry wall or tile if you couldn't. I could not visual the literal size of the storage closet, I now proudly call the master closet, for instance. Being driven by trend threads, that seem good on paper. Was that what I really wanted? Didn't take time to put true thought into those decisions. Did I really want them? Some yes, some no. Driving on to save money, I assume anybody with a lick of vision can hire quality work. So not true, I paid 4 times for new drywall, new painting, and it still is full of ruffles and ridges. Hire the legit drywalling company, wouldn't have lost 2 months with redos, paid excessively, interest hike during the never ending down times, of course interest rates went up.3.99 start build, 5.75 end build rate. Passed on licensed company to do the drywall, He gave me a two week time frame, (way too long in my narrow world)and was 3,000.00 more. So, hire some bozo on Craigslist that promised to get it done in half the time at half the cost.That decision cost me TWO MONTHS! for that investment,I paid up front, they needed supplies, and had me handcuffed, they already had my money. "save 3,00"ultimately costing me literally 4 times that, project set back two months( they showed up about 2 hours every other day and I swear they had no idea how to drywall. Flunked electric 4 times for COO, still have switches/ outlets with no idea their purpose. So, to answer your question, I paid 18,000. for a master bathroom, the tile job and the layout and quality is not good. With proper forethought and workability analysis this would definitely have been avoided. I could have hired someone to explain basic size, what to demand in workmanship, As in earlier post, I am just verbalizing my specific experience and begging you to not to buy that dress at Barneys just because it's 90% off. We were rear ended in 14, can't walk, but, I still want that dress from Bsrneys because it used to be the perfect dress for me. realize needs change, and you if it's an impulsive decision, it will sit in your closet with all the other GREAT deals. I learned from these costly mistakes, and am sooo receptive after the fact, to remedy issues that should have been remedied prior to building!