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Process Overview
What Is A Landscape Design?
A landscape design is the culmination of all the steps listed below in most cases. For smaller projects, the information required is less involved than a larger project, however, we can not design a landscape without following these steps. The design or plan is the blueprint for the installation process.
Getting To Know You
The process begins with a discussion between our clients and our designer. We want to meet you, review your vision, identify your needs, and plan a solution for your home or business. This is a very important step in the process to ensure the project is successful.
Your immediate goals as well as plans for the future are key elements in crafting the landscape’s design. We can also need to find solutions for existing problems that need to be addressed in the design process such as drainage, inadequate lighting, or poor soil conditions.
We are not shy about asking questions …
- Do you desire outdoor space for entertaining? If so, for how many people?
- Are you planning any additions to your home? Maybe a pool?
- Do you have favorite plants or specific colors you want to see in the garden?
- Do you need additional privacy and/or would you like to block any views?
- Do you have adequate space for parking?
- Are there any drainage issues that need to be addressed?
- Do you want to be able to enjoy the garden during the evening hours or during the winter months?
- What is your budget and how can we cast a vision for future care and planned phases?
Phase 1: Design
With the information garnered during our meeting, we begin the design process with your needs and desires driving the end result. We take extensive site measurements and pictures back to the office and begin to develop the plan for your site. We may make additional site visits to make sure we have achieved all of your goals. There is a fee for the design based on the complexity and size of the project.
The next step is for the designer to analyze the property and develop a base map. Depending on the project this may start with obtaining a plot plan. The house, existing vegetation, patios, driveways, and other site elements are measured and evaluated. Views both into and out of the property are considered. Digital photographs are taken to document existing site conditions.
Phase 2: Design Review
We meet for a second time to review the design. We discuss the overall concept, materials selected, plants chosen, and why we have selected this particular option. Your feedback during the review is critical in assuring that we have done our job and that you will be happy with the end result.
Phase 3: Proposal
A formal itemized proposal including pricing is then presented so you know exactly what each phase of the project will deliver and cost.
After the review of the concept plan revisions are made and a final plan is presented along with a proposal to complete the landscape project.
Phase 4: Installation
Our staff begins locating and ordering materials for your project so there are no delays once we get started. If permits are required, they will need to be filed – we are happy to do that on your behalf. We notify Pennsylvania One Call to mark all public utility lines. From the time the first shovel goes in the ground until the last bit of debris is swept, Garrett Churchill is committed to the quality of the project and enhancing the value of your home or business.
Phase 5: Maintenance
After a project is complete, we love the opportunity to maintain what we installed. Having been through the design process with you, we know the project’s vision and know how to maintain it accordingly.