Design Process

Step One: Consultation

The first step towards a more beautiful landscape begins with a landscape design consultation. Contact me:

We meet at your home and walk throughout the site, discuss the key design elements together, viewing relevant plant, product, and portfolio design images, and you receive a hand-drawn concept sketch, including details of your yard or space.

The consult is generally one hour with an additional 30 minutes being dedicated to providing the basic sketch of the landscape, including the names of key plantings and hardscape elements.

The cost of this 1 1/2 hr consult is $200 + HST.

If your project is small and simple in nature a concept sketch may be all you require to take the ideas and make them happen. A quote for the cost of a completed landscape plan is given at the time of the initial design consult, if the scope of the work involved would benefit from that service.

Step Two: Landscape Plan

As the next step for more complex projects that include walkways, patios/decks, detailed gardens, grade changes, structures and additional elements, I will recommend a landscape plan to properly map out and direct the professional installation of your project.

I obtain site measurements and use landscape design software to illustrate your landscape and all its Beautiful Possibilities. We schedule a second meeting 2-3 weeks after our initial consultation. This additional time together lets us look at the plan proposal and all of the choices of materials, plants etc. in more detail.

Both a paper and digital (pdf) copy of your finished plan is provided along with a plant list catalogue (see examples in plan image section). One set of free revisions is included with every plan package.

Landscape plan cost is determined by time to complete it. Several rendering options are available for the final plan including, 2D scale drawings, colour, 3D models, Construction plan details, etc. Every plan is provided with a construction package (see below).

Step Three: Estimate and Installation

When the plan is complete the final step towards achieving your dream landscape is the task of choosing a company to install your new landscape. Every landscape plan comes as a construction package.

Construction Package Includes

• one paper plan copy and a digital pdf of the final design
• a written overview of the project including the scope of the work, access to site, etc
  detailed material list and plant list
• installation quote from a recommended contractor

Including this service with your design assists you towards a successful project outcome. Whether you choose to go with my recommendation or choose to obtain multiple quotes, they will all be estimating the project from the same plan, material list and project overview.

‘Designer-On-Site’ Service

Creative continuity can be an important component of your successful landscape. Having a designer involved in your project from start to finish enables a better final result. I have a great working relationship with several local landscape companies and we make beautiful landscapes happen together.

When retained as a consultant, I am available to both the owner and installers on-site, by phone and email throughout the duration of the construction phase at a set hourly rate.

Complete the project yourself

When you have a complete landscape plan in your hands, you are free to implement it in whichever way you choose. If you are the handy DIY type you can still benefit from my consultation services on-site, by phone and/or email for the duration of your project at a set hourly rate. A successfully completed landscape design is your goal and mine.