Landscape Design Phase
This is where the real fun begins and the creative juices start flowing. We start by preparing a scaled map of your property, utilizing the information obtained from your Plat of Survey and the supplemental measurements and photographs that we took during our initial site visit. This map will act as a starting point in the design phase and will show the locations of all the existing features of your home and property.
Once the basemap is complete, we will begin looking at potential design solutions by preparing a series of rough sketches showing alternative ways of arranging the requested landscape elements on your property. The designer’s skill and expertise at how all the various landscape elements are shaped and interplay with each other – will determine whether your garden will be ordinary or a work of art created especially for you. GARY HERBERT ASSOCIATES does not design outdoor spaces that are ordinary. The input we received from you regarding your specific style preferences, objectives and budget will guide us as these sketches are prepared and various design options are explored. We will generally prepare multiple sketches of your property – before one, or a combination of ideas contained in several sketches, leads to a design solution that best serves your unique needs, tastes and desires.
The preferred sketch is then refined and your Landscape Design Plan will be prepared. This drawing will be to scale and show the location and interrelationships between all planned hardscape and softscape improvements that you have asked to be included in the design. Hardscape elements are defined as those that are static and permanent such as patios, walkways, driveways, walls, outdoor fireplaces, water features and the like. Softscape elements primarily include trees, shrubs, flowers and the planting beds that contain them. The plan is intended to show you the “big picture” of what your property’s outdoor spaces will look like when all the improvements have been installed. Sometimes, all this takes place at once. More frequently, the plan is implemented in stages over time. By having a plan to guide each phase as it is constructed, they will be coordinated with each other. The end result will be spaces that appear as a harmonized whole, rather than as a series of independent uncoordinated improvement projects.
The Landscape Plan will not contain all the information necessary for the actual construction of your outdoor improvements. Decisions regarding construction materials, specific plants to be utilized and special details still need to be made. Most of our clients make those final decisions by dialoging with us, rather than having our firm prepare more detailed drawings. We will help you understand your options and guide you towards making the best decisions for your particular situation. If your improvement project includes hardscape elements that require construction permits, we may have to prepare more detailed drawings to satisfy municipal requirements. These requirements vary tremendously from city to city. If required, our fee to prepare this additional work will be billed at a rate of $70/hour.
Once your Landscape Design Plan is complete, we will prepare a color rendering of the drawing and a preliminary estimate of construction cost. We will then schedule a time to come back to your home and present our ideas to you.
Once the basemap is complete, we will begin looking at potential design solutions by preparing a series of rough sketches showing alternative ways of arranging the requested landscape elements on your property. The designer’s skill and expertise at how all the various landscape elements are shaped and interplay with each other – will determine whether your garden will be ordinary or a work of art created especially for you. GARY HERBERT ASSOCIATES does not design outdoor spaces that are ordinary. The input we received from you regarding your specific style preferences, objectives and budget will guide us as these sketches are prepared and various design options are explored. We will generally prepare multiple sketches of your property – before one, or a combination of ideas contained in several sketches, leads to a design solution that best serves your unique needs, tastes and desires.
The preferred sketch is then refined and your Landscape Design Plan will be prepared. This drawing will be to scale and show the location and interrelationships between all planned hardscape and softscape improvements that you have asked to be included in the design. Hardscape elements are defined as those that are static and permanent such as patios, walkways, driveways, walls, outdoor fireplaces, water features and the like. Softscape elements primarily include trees, shrubs, flowers and the planting beds that contain them. The plan is intended to show you the “big picture” of what your property’s outdoor spaces will look like when all the improvements have been installed. Sometimes, all this takes place at once. More frequently, the plan is implemented in stages over time. By having a plan to guide each phase as it is constructed, they will be coordinated with each other. The end result will be spaces that appear as a harmonized whole, rather than as a series of independent uncoordinated improvement projects.
The Landscape Plan will not contain all the information necessary for the actual construction of your outdoor improvements. Decisions regarding construction materials, specific plants to be utilized and special details still need to be made. Most of our clients make those final decisions by dialoging with us, rather than having our firm prepare more detailed drawings. We will help you understand your options and guide you towards making the best decisions for your particular situation. If your improvement project includes hardscape elements that require construction permits, we may have to prepare more detailed drawings to satisfy municipal requirements. These requirements vary tremendously from city to city. If required, our fee to prepare this additional work will be billed at a rate of $70/hour.
Once your Landscape Design Plan is complete, we will prepare a color rendering of the drawing and a preliminary estimate of construction cost. We will then schedule a time to come back to your home and present our ideas to you.
