Initial Meeting
We will meet with you to discuss your landscaping project, and answer your questions about our design-build process, your expectations of the project, and our qualifications. We will provide details about our design process and planning fees during the initial meeting. There is no charge for the initial meeting with a designer.
Design and Preliminary Budget
The purpose of this phase is to clearly define the overall scope and parameters of the project. After measuring the property, and conducting an inventory and analysis of existing plants and features, we will produce a landscape design showing the existing elements or your landscape, including all opportunities and constraints. We will also provide a preliminary estimate of what it will take to design and build your landscape, general information about construction methods, and some early suggestions for plants and materials. We will then agree on the project parameters and move forward with the final design process.
*Fees vary depending on the size of your project.
Design Development
Once we have agreed on a preliminary design and budget, we will focus on the details of your project: refining the layout, plant selection, choosing materials for hardscapes if applicable, and coordinating bids from subcontractors if necessary. During this phase, we will work closely with you regarding construction phasing and budgeting. In the end, you will have a detailed landscape plan, timeline, and line item budget.
Contract and Scheduling
You can decide at any time to sign a contract for construction. When we have received a signed contract and a deposit, we will establish the best time to proceed with your project. Sometimes projects are delayed due to inclement weather. We do our best to keep you informed to minimize surprises. It can take several weeks from contract signing to installation. If time is an important factor, we encourage signing a contract during the Design Development phase in order to lock in your time slot. If your project has minor changes after you have signed a contract, there should be little impact on the final budget.
Construction
Many projects can be built in just a few days. More complex projects may take a few weeks, depending on the size and scope of the project, and of course, the weather. During the construction phase, new ideas may surface, and earlier ones may be changed. Being a Design-Build firm, we can address these issues directly and quickly. Most minor changes are not a factor, but if these changes are major, and impact the budget greatly, we will then address these issues as they arise.
Final inspection
Upon completion, we will schedule a tour through your landscape project, and provide information about how you should care for newly planted trees, shrubs, plants, and turf - as applicable. You can also setup a followup schedule if you choose to have us care for your new landscape. If you have any questions after your project is complete, just call us and we'll be happy to answer them.