Landscaping Design San Diego

INITIAL FREE PHONE CONSULTATION

If you are unsure about how to go about your landscape design ideas; if you want to talk to an expert to help you decide on a design plan; if you need help only with how-to suggestions and ideas, I offer a free phone consultation (usually 30 min.) This can help you decide quickly on your best move forward in your landscape project.

ON-SITE CONSULTATION

The on-site consultation offers a valuable opportunity to review many elements, possibilities or site constraints on your project before even a design contract is signed. In this meeting I will:

• Review your design wish list and suggest landscape ideas and creative possibilities.
• Give feedback on your property’s character, strengths and potential problem areas that you might not have noticed before;
• Offer a horticultural or artistic assessment of existing plants, micro-climate or other site conditions;
• Discuss your soil, soil drainage, and the existing irrigation system to help you understand design possibilities and potential constraints;
• Review your investment range for your project; recommend a course of action to be implemented in its entirety at once, in part or over time;
• Suggest a licensed San Diego landscaper, landscape contractor or other resources.
• Ask questions as to your lifestyle and interest in gardening to better inform my suggestions; take extensive notes of our conversation and list priorities.
• Show my portfolio of recent projects that includes a number of finished rendered drawings as examples;
• Lay out my design philosophy and explain how the process works. That way we can decide whether we’ll be a good fit for each other.

Following this meeting I’ll draft a detailed design proposal that outlines our shared objectives, along with the design fees involved and all deliverables defined.

This proposal will also explain the design process and the different steps so you will know exactly what to expect during the design process. Upon your acceptance I will proceed to the first design phase. (Read below for more on the design process.)

FEES

• The initial phone consultation (usually half-hour ) is free.
• The fee for an on-site consultation is $180/2 hours.
• One hour of consultation time is free if you contract with me for a design. It will be credited back to you in the design phase.
• A concept plan can start at $1800 depending on the size of your garden, desired amenities and services.

DESIGN PROCESS

Every design starts with an in-depth ‘design study meeting’; here we

• define the scope of the desired elements and the desired style of your landscape;
• review the detailed questionnaire that I’ll send you before starting the design process;
• look at the existing architectural style of your home or any clues that are offered by your interior design style;
• discuss possible amenities and review your desired planting scheme;
• define the style of landscapes and planting theme that appeal to you;
• review your desired investment and the possible implementation of your project in phases.

SITE MAP & SOIL ANALYSIS

The site map is an inventory of the existing site and all pertinent data that informs the design. I always suggest a soil analysis to learn about the composition, percolation rate and special needs of your soil. It will guide in the selection of plants, the preparation of the soil for planting and the long-term maintenance.

PRELIMINARY CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT

After the design study meeting, I create one or more drafts of landscaping ideas for your future yard, including a preliminary plant list. After review with you, I will make all desired revisions and develop the final concept.