The process of working with a landscape designer starts with the consultation. Set aside an hour to an hour and a half for this session. Make sure you have all of your questions together and any photos or pictures from magazines that you would like to share. If you are planning on having a pool, spa, barbeque or fireplace, it is helpful to know the dimensions of each. It is at this time that we can look at your property and the area that you wish to landscape and note the sun exposure, the existing trees or shrubs that you may want to keep or any neighbors that you want to screen out. This is the time to tell us what you are looking for in your landscape – we will cover the functional aspects: walkways, patio dimensions, overhangs, retaining walls, lawn areas, planting beds and storage areas.

We will talk about color in the garden, maintenance, whether or not you want a vegetable or herb garden incorporated into the landscape, play areas for your children or an area for the dog(s). We can talk about pools and ponds or pre-built water features. After we have a well-rounded concept of what you are looking for, we then measure your property. Eventually, everything we spoke of will translate into a scale drawing. The drawing is 24” x 36”, and one copy will be in color. You will receive additional copies so that you can use them to give to contractors to bid, or just have extra copies that you can write on. The turn-around is generally 4 – 6 weeks.

If we are dealing with a large space with many design elements involved: pool, spa, barbeque, walkways, retaining walls, etc., you have the option of seeing a preliminary plan. This is available for an additional fee of $100.00. This will be your property laid out in scale proportions, with all of the design elements laid in with walkways, walls, etc., although the complete plant list, lighting and notes will not be completed…only indicated. After the preliminary drawing is approved the final drawing will be delivered approximately two weeks later.

When we meet again with the final plan, all plant material and landscape material will be presented in a way that will help you to see your new landscape in living color!