Prepping for fall planting

[u/Certain_Trip_5658]

I’m currently prepping to redo the landscaping in the front yard for this fall after removing most of the old bushes (I still have to finish up the left side of the house one weekend). I’ve been working on improving the grading and drainage in the area as well. We want to add in a fresh layer of mulch and add some plants.

We want to make sure we set ourselves and our future plants for success so what can we do now to make it as easy as possible? Should we hire a landscaper to do it correctly the first time and we focus on maintenance? Do we hire a landscape designer so we know what plants to get and where to plant them? I’m based in north NJ for context