Landscape Design & Planning

Consider hiring a professional designer!

Many theories surround the concepts of good design. Some designs may be invoked from that of a childhood memory, or from an inspiration or feeling that a place gives you. Maybe it’s as simple as a look that you like or a look that you must match to a style of architecture; maybe it’s invoked by a simple need or function. Whatever the motivating force, there are several principles that an experienced designer is familiar with.

Whether you’re designing a house, home interior or a landscape, certain principles are always taken into consideration. A landscape designer can help you with scale & proportion, balance, color, texture, composition, function and the construction of your project. Take anyone of these elements out of the design and the composition may seem haphazard.

Landscape design is probably one of the most complicated facets of design because of the dynamic nature of the landscape. Selecting the proper plants, bloom sequence, soil types, available light, maintenance requirements and so on, are difficult tasks that an experienced designer can help you with.  A successful designer can pull all of this together, even in difficult situations.

We work closely with our clients throughout the entire process.

The Design / Coordination Process

When you contact us have ready a simple overview of the project. This allows us to bring proper literature and samples for you to review. If you’re at a complete loss and not sure what you may need or are lacking, let us know.  We can help.

Step One-Initial Meeting

• The design process usually begins with an initial viewing of the existing space. At the first meeting, we will discuss your objectives for the project, both visual & functional, and gather site information and photos.
• Help us help you. If you want a sidewalk, is it cobblestone or bluestone; straight or meandering? Would you like a garden to dabble in all summer, or one you simply watch and enjoy? Lighting for entertainment or accent? Saving pictures from magazine articles or any visual aid will help us identify the look you like…a picture is worth a thousand words.
• We urge prospective clients to think carefully about the scope of the work to be done, priority of projects and budget. Try to find a reasonable figure for a starting budget.  Knowing your budget allows us to prepare realistically.
• By the end of our first meeting, we must have enough information to leave with specific measurements and the overall geometry necessary to prepare a concept & begin pricing during step two.

Step Two- Concept Review

• During step two, we will review a concept sketch and possibly other visual aides we utilize to help you envision the concept. At this time, we will have cost comparisons so we can identify specific materials to be used. It’s crucial at this point to work out as many details as possible so that we can prepare a detailed proposal and price.

Step Three: Final Review

• During step three, we will review all the details of the project and final pricing. Our ultimate goal during this step is to insure that both parties are on the same page. It is very important for you to know what you’re getting and for us to know what is expected of us. At this point, we should be ready to get to work.

Master Plans and Specifications:

• Master plans and specifications are necessary to submit for building permits, homeowner associations, municipalities and commercial projects.  We follow the steps in the design process necessary to assimilate all the details your master landscape design will have. Specifications are written details, explaining the materials to be used and methods of construction. If a master plan is what you need, before we commit ink to paper, we need to know all the details necessary to do the landscape project in its entirety. It is much like doing the project on paper first.