North Country Landscapes, LLC

  • Your yard is a garden. A place dedicated to the outward expression of you. It is a space which marries the architecture of your structures to the lay of the land. It is a living space, a place to relax or play, but most importantly… It is a tangible space that can stimulate your senses with color and fragrance and enhance the quality of your life.

    - Shane Pilato, Owner

        

Residential Design Program

Get the most out of a CONSULTATION with your Landscape Designer by asking yourself beforehand.

  • What areas on your property bother you the most?
  • Do you know the identity of all the plants?
  • Have you identified all the microclimates or trouble spots?
  • Do you have a budget in mind?
  • What timeframe do you have in mind for the project?
  • Do you plan on working in your garden yourself, or hiring outside help?
  • If deciding on a PLAN- Do you have a copy of a plot map from your builder, realtor, or county that gives specific dimensions and house footprint?

This completed questionnaire, along with information that I obtain from / about the site, will enable me to draw up an analysis disgram, which is the first step in the design program.

    Name

    Address

    City

    State

    Zip Code

    Home Phone

    Business Phone

    Cell Phone

    Email Address

    This analysis is designed to give me an overall concept of your property, family lifestyle,
    and the design elements that need to be considered for the conceptual landscape plan.
    With the information provided here, and during follow-up conversations, I can tailor the
    design to your specific needs.

    Property Information [size of lot]

    Architectural Style

    Current Landscape Condition

    House Color

    Size of Garage

    Interior Color Scheme

    Interior Style

    Site Work:

    Will grading design be required?
    Not ApplicableMinimal (+- 2 ft. of cut or fill)Moderate (+- 3 ft. of cut or fill)Extensive (+- 4 ft. of cut or fill)

    Are retaining walls desired or needed?
    YesNoMaybeNot Applicable

    Are views to be preserved?
    YesNoMaybeNot Applicable

    Are views to be screened?
    YesNoMaybeNot Applicable

    Will construction need to be phased?
    YesNoMaybe

    Have you established a construction budget?
    YesNoMaybe

    Drainage:

    Is drainage design needed?
    YesNoMaybeNot Applicable

    Are there any existing drainage problems? If checked, please describe.
    YesNoMaybe

    Outdoor Improvements Desired:

    Select all that are applicable to your desired outdoor improvements:
    Paving (Driveway, etc.)Patios, WalkwaysFor Entertainment (Small Group)For Entertainment (Large Group)For EatingIs Special (enhanced) paving, desired?Wood decking (usually above grade)Site Furniture (Selected by Us)Site Furniture (Custom Design by Us)ShadeOverhead Shade/Trellis StructureBarbecueOutdoor KitchenFireplace

    Desired exterior architectural feelings: (check all that apply)
    Front Yard "Open" to Street or NeighborhoodPurely FunctionalPrivateWelcomingElegantCasualHiddenGrandDramaticDistinctiveBoldComfortableUnderstatedSubtleCarefully ProportionedSoftDelicateCharmingOther

    Waterworks: (check all that apply)
    Swimming Pool (Exercise 40+ ft. Long)Swimming Pool (Play Pool Less Than 40 ft.)Swimming Pool (Small Pool Less Than 30 ft.)Automatic Pool CoverSpecial Fencing Between Pool and HouseSolar Panels for Pool (Roughly Equal to Pool Area)Spa (1-3 Persons)Spa (3-6 Persons)Spa (5+ Persons)Fountains (Loud, Lots of Water)Fountains (Quiet, Subtle)Fountains (Pooling)Pond (Waterfalls)Pond (Fountain)Other

    Privacy and Security desired:
    Fences around side and rear property linesAny other privacy issuesWalls (masonry)Entry monument

    Irrigation desired:
    Any existing irrigation to be preservedAny known pressure problemsFor turf areasFor planting bedsPotable water around property

    Lighting:
    Exterior task lighting (walks, driveway)New fixtures on exterior of houseLandscape lightingLighting of special featuresLighting of fountains

    Areas to be Screened:
    StorageCompostTrashFireplace - WoodUtilitiesRecreational Vehicle(s)Satellite Antenna

    Other Considerations:
    Separate (live-in) domestic yard areaPotting shedGarden work areaTennis courtGolf greensDog run areaPlay areaSecurity

    Landscape Planting (Desired Style & Type): (check all that apply)
    MediterraneanFormal classicalNativeNative and naturalizingThrifty with water, regardless of styleDrought tolerant or resistantXeriphytic - one established no water neededEnglish or country EuropeanEastern U.S.OrientalLawnFruit treesVeggiesArt or sculpture in the gardenGarden furnishings, sundials, birdbaths, or finials

    Do you want the landscape to be an artwork in itself?
    YesNoMaybe

    Are deer a major problem?
    YesNoMaybe

    Desired landscape feelings: (check all that apply)
    FormalWelcoming (inviting)Well kept -- trimmedIntimateGrandSoft and looseElegantIn betweenPrivateNaturalOpen feeling (all garden areas merge)Somewhat overgrownGarden roomsOccasional mystery or enchantmentFunWhimsicalCasualOther

    Other landscape priorities: (check all that apply)
    FragranceColorColor beds to be changed out 3-4 times per yearPlanted potteryConcerned about BeesConcerned about Poisonous plantsAny plants/color/others you do not want usedAre you opposed to the use of pesticides or chemicals in your gardenDo any existing plants, trees, or structures need to be removed or relocated

    Additional comments on landscape priorities:

    Lakeside Residents Only:
    Slope to lake (Easy)Slope to lake (Steep)Slope to lake (Very Steep)Access to lake - Stairs/stepsAccess to lake - WalkwayAccess to lake - Open plan (grassy approach)Access to lake - Combination (connecting plateaus, traverse hill sideways)Potable WaterElectricEntertainment areasBBQStorageBeach areaErosion control (Stone)Erosion control (Vegetative)Erosion control (Combination)Boats (Gas-powered)Boats (Canoe or Kayak)Boats (Combination)Dock

    Maintenance:
    Will you have professional landscape maintenanceA Certified Landscape TechnicianGarden laborerSomewhere in between the aboveOther

    Would you like some professional follow up (on an as needed or as requested basis) from your Landscape Designer?
    YesNoMaybe

    Budget: When planning out a landscape it is important to know what your budget is. This could be annually or total. We often break down projects into phases. This helps us design to fit within your budget, and still accomplish your goals. If you don't really know what your budget might be, even rough numbers help with a target. We can always revisit preliminary estimates and explore different options.

    Have you considered how much you would like to invest in your landscape? (i.e. Total)

    Are you interested in doing the entire project at one time, or will you do it in phases?

    List in order of their priority; list your desired objectives and motivations in making these improvements:

    Please add any additional information that you feel would be helpful in planning your design:

    Include photos or scans of idea clippings (below) if you have them: