WHY SHOULD YOU GET A DESIGN?

Some contractors may try to sell you with a 30-50K+ improvement with a verbal and/or even a very rough concept but when your project is all said and done and you don't like the turn-out or feel you've received your money's worth, it'll be too late.  It's better to have a well-thought out and refined design in place that you've personally worked through the design process with a professional so you can establish on paper a final design that you are happy with.

To start a design, all existing site measurements are taken to establish a 'to scale' site plan first.   Next, new design layouts are drawn 'to scale' on a plan to appropriately determine all accurate sizes of components in relation with your site plan such as fountains / firepits / fireplaces / patio covers / pools /etc., hardscape / mulch / weed fabric area square footages, correct sizes and quantities of plants, site square footage for irrigation runs and lighting, linear footages for bender boards / edging, fencing, walls, etc., so then you will know EXACTLY what you have and you can thus determine each detailed itemized cost per component.  This can basically save you from being taken advantage of while eliminating most of the gray areas.

EASY ‘1-2-3 STEP' DESIGN PROCESS:

All pricing is based upon the size and scope of work.  Generally, design fees will range from $2,500-$5,500 for the CAD Plan package. I do complimentary 30-45 minute consultations that will include light brainstorming / giving you 1-2 free ideas of what you can do, and showing you my portfolio presentation with examples of what you will be receiving which includes my highly effective 1-2-3 Step Design Process that I've personally developed over the years of discovering what works best.  This is all followed by a Contract Proposal for the Design Fee sent to you via email shortly after we meet in person.

Here is the 3-Step Design Process once you have agreed that you would like to contract with me:

Step 1:

To start the project, I need a signed contract (you will receive via email) and deposit (about 30% of the design fee) up front.  I will schedule a measurements day to pick up these items first and then proceed to map out your yard (takes about 2-3 hours on average to map out which will include the house/windows/doors, plants you would like to keep, fencing, existing hardscape, visible utilities and all additional existing components as needed to put together a comprehensive site plan.  I will give you a copy of this site plan for your records for any future improvements, sale of property, etc.  I will additionally take an over-amount of pictures to help me both draw your site plan accurately and also help me make some design decisions (for example, choosing a material color for pavers, cobble stone, decomposed granite, tree & shrub foliage, etc. that compliments the color of your house, etc.).

Step 2:

About 2-4 weeks later, we will set up a Brainstorm Design Meeting (takes about 1-2 hours) where I will present you with (2) hand-drawn conceptual design options (house & property line are drawn in AutoCAD) and a few image sheets of all the plants (Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers), materials and any other components (such as firepits, trellises, overhead patio covers, fountain ideas, wall & hardscape materials, etc.) with approximate itemized pricing to go with it all so you can see what you can afford or would like to proceed with.   This is the brainstorm phase of the project where I'm still getting a feel of what you like and what suits your needs and budget. This step is vital in discovering how we will proceed to the final plans.  

Step 3:

About 2-4 weeks after our first design meeting, we will set-up our Final Design Review Meeting (takes about an hour) to pass you your final plans.  I go back to the drawing board after Step 2 and refine the plans based on everything we discussed.  Now your whole design goes into AutoCAD, a computer engineering program, that allows me to draw everything exact and accurate so we can conclude all the areas, square footages, and quantities of everything to establish a clear itemized list for pricing to go along with it. After I draw up everything into CAD, I will email the final drafts over to you for any last revisions needed and for your final approval before finalizing the plans (printing, coloring, copies, scans). From here I to refer you to 2-3 of my favorite landscape installation contractors that I feel you will be a great match with to bid on the design.  If you decide to contract with one of my referred contractors, I will be involved on your install with light PM. I also encourage you to get at least 1 bid outside of my circle to ensure you are getting fair and honest bidding with the rest of the bids and for comparison. You then proceed to get your design implemented and live happily ever after in your own new beautifully designed utopian landscape heaven. 

~THE END~

3 SERVICE OPTIONS AVAILABLE:

It's important to choose services that are an appropriate match for what you specifically need.  For smaller and simpler projects, an informal hand sketch design may be all you need while for other projects, the Full-CAD Design experience will be much more well-suited for you.  I can guide you to what service will be most appropriate for you once we meet and I see your property.  With or without either of these options, I can help coordinate and lightly manage your project to be installed successfully.

Same-Day Hand Sketch Design

This option includes a more informal design approach (sketch) which may be all you need for your project especially if it’s mostly planting & minimal hardscape (note: sketch is ‘not to scale’).  This option is more cost effective ($850-1,600 on average for 3-6 hours on-site) and will include a plan & planting legend. I also can crunch some quick numbers for you to give an idea of costs. Lastly, I will pass you (2-3) contractor contact names that I think will be the best match for your project.

Full-CAD Design: Steps 1-2-3

This option is highly recommend for all the reasons listed above.  It includes more in depth ‘to scale’ planning, full site measurements, (1) Sit-down Design Brainstorm Meeting to present you with (2) options + (1) Final Design Review Meeting which concludes with Final Refined CAD Design Plans and a ballpark Construction Estimate. I also pass you (2-3) contractor contact names that I feel will be the best match for your project.  

Project Supervision

 I can work directly with a contractor of your choosing or I can also put you in contact with a few reputable contractors that I work closely with to make sure everything goes according to plan. If you decide to contract with one of my installation contractor referrals, I will be involved with your project which will generally include 1-3 site visits on average for light supervision, help with plant & material substitutions, help with changes that happen on site, redesigns / additions that need to happen, and very detailed plant location spotting. I also act as a neutral party / mediator between the client & contractor that helps the overall flow of the project for success.