Landscape design process

Our Design and Installation Coordination Process:

PHASE I - How we work with you during the Design Process:

1. Initial Complimentary Telephone Consultation:

This is an opportunity to discuss with me your project goals, your wishes, timing and budget, and a review our services and offerings. Then together we determine if it is a good fit to schedule a Consultation and the possibility of a complete landscape design if desired.

2. In-Person Consultation Meeting:

Typically one to two hours. We meet to discuss your vision, wishes, objectives and review the scope of your project in detail. We talk about how you wish to utilize the landscape areas, your style, amenities you desire, as well as any problems that need to be resolved, etc.
During the consultation I provide initial/broad recommendations that may include material and or site-appropriate plant recommendations, various design elements, perhaps a review of some of my completed landscape design projects that help convey some initial potential ideas and approaches.
Prior to our consultation I encourage you to spend a little time reviewing photos on Houzz, Pinterest or other resources, and gather together some imagery of landscapes, gardens or plants that appeal to you and share the images with me in advance of our meeting. This is very helpful process and provides me with a glimpse into what appeals to you, and results in a more productive consultation meeting.
I charge an hourly fee for the on-site consultation, please contact me for details.

3. Landscape Design Proposal:

After the Consultation meeting or discussion, if you are interested in my complete landscape design services I will develop a detailed design fee proposal that recaps the scope of your landscape project, specifying my deliverables, my process and estimated Design Fee range.
Phase I incorporates the Conceptual Design Plans, Material research/recommendations along with and Plant recommendations, Planting Plan Design, other design element drawings as needed and associated tasks through to the final Master Plan Drawings.
Once our proposal is approved by you, I ask that you complete a detailed Questionnaire.
A preliminary schedule is discussed and a portion of the estimated fees is requested to commence the concept design phase.

4. Site Analysis, Measurements/Survey:
The next steps:

We meet to review and clarify the scope of your project and review your completed Questionnaire.
I analyze the site conditions, such as sun and shade patterns, etc.
For landscapes with varying elevations and slopes, it may be necessary to utilize an outside resource to conduct a site survey or landscape drawing that provides us with an accurate site map with measurements, placement of structures, trees, etc. and the landscape topography. A site plan/survey may also be necessary for elements of the landscape project that require further structural engineering and permits.
Less complicated/flat landscapes with minor slopes can usually be measured by our team.
Once measurements/site analysis is completed the site map serves as the foundation for our scaled base-map layout and design drawings.
We develop all drawings in Vectorworks, a CAD (Computer Aided Design) software program.

5. Conceptual Design:

One or more conceptual 2D (bird's eye view) design drawing approaches will be presented to communicate our visual landscape design recommendations to incorporate the hardscape areas, planting areas, any recommended elements, structures, etc.
3D/Perspective drawing renditions can also be created if needed/desired to further convey the proposed conceptual design recommendations.
Concept drawings will be accompanied by an “image board” to support the conceptual design approaches, styles, plant themes and material recommendations.
During our next meeting we review the proposed designs and discuss any modifications and refinements. And welcome a collaborative approach.
Once a Concept Design Drawing is approved, we move on to the Plant Palette recommendations after a review, the creation of the Planting Plan drawing. Irrigation hydro-zoning is includes at a minimum. We can discuss options for irrigation planning as well.
The Design "Phase I" design often the design of low-voltage lighting, and other amenities such as outdoor kitchens, swimming pools, water features, etc.

6. Master Plan Drawings:

The final step in the Phase I design process is to specify details on the drawings for all material and elements that will be incorporated in the landscape.
These final drawings will provide what's needed for Landscape Contractors, other installers to prepare their installation bids, and when necessary, be provided to structural engineers and others for construction details and permitting, etc. as needed. (fees to manage/over see this process would fall under Phase II below).
The details provided in these final drawings will vary from project to project and are for concept only. Our collaboration with landscape contractors is recommended for them to recommend and prepare the final construction details as needed.

PHASE II - How we can assist and support you during
the landscape installation stage:

7. Construction/Installation Coordination and Support:

When you are ready to implement your project, Dig Your Garden is available to assist in the bid process and can recommend our preferred licensed landscape contractors or other installers as needed, that we often collaborate with.
We encourage our clients to keep us involved throughout this process as needed to address/answer any questions that inevitably arise during the construction/installation phase and also to ensure that the integrity of the design you approved is carried through to achieve the intended results.
We are available to identify/recommend/secure the various landscape elements, such as furnishings, pottery, low-voltage lighting fixtures, fire pits/tables, BBQs/built in kitchen equipment, water features, etc.

We typically estimate and secure all of the plantings, followed by directing their placement when the contractors are ready to receive and install the plants.
Dig Your Garden works with several landscape contractors and other installers who offer excellent customer service, quality work and great references. We have developed solid working relationships and collaboration with many.

See a detailed listing of the LANDSCAPE SERVICES we provide.

"Eileen, I just had to write to express my sincere thanks to you regarding your work on our landscape design. We knew we would only be happy with a garden that grew from a superior design. Through your thoughtful, artistic and sensible design, we achieved our goal of a top notch landscape. We now feel that our front yard garden is truly an extension of our home and expresses our passion for living. We can't thank you enough for how wonderful we feel each day enjoying our new landscape."

- Matt C., Mill Valley, CA

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