Most of my clients want more style in their lives. Style should make your life easier and more fulfilling. When it comes to landscape design, a master plan is an important step for turning that desire into reality. The best result is to showcase a sensibility that is about sustainability, materials, warmth and modern living. Landscape design enlivens any home. When done right, a master plan navigates decisions a project so that new and old elements of a home look awesome together. It does take time to think through all of the details. Of course, taking the time to do it correctly will pay for itself.
If you want a more eco-friendly, attractive space that has buckets of curb appeal, you are probably looking to refresh your exterior with contemporary design. A master plan is the guiding light for transforming your yard. A well thought out design adds value to the process, and when built will add value to your property. It’s not something that happens overnight either. You should expect the process to take between 3 to 8 weeks to complete. The timeframe really depends on the scope of the project. Some scopes are straightforward. For example, the client may want to renovate their backyard by adding native plants, a fire pit area and some outdoor lighting. Others may want a pool with a cabana, walkways, new lawn space, an outdoor kitchen and flexible space for yoga and movie nights. Each piece of the scope, whether straightforward or complex, needs to be considered and inform each other.
What Do you Really Really Want?
Many times our clients need help figuring out the entire scope, so I always have an initial consultation to visit the yard and get to know them. I think it is super important to make sure we are on the same page with the direction of a project from the very start. Time is money and the initial consultation saves both.
The consultation isn’t the first time I’ve talked to a potential client however. The relationship begins with a telephone conversation about their yard, what they like and dislike about it, what are concerns they have and goals for the future. Because of Google Maps, I can usually look at their yards while we talk on the phone to really get specific. The conversation is an easy way to get to know if we are the right fit and to set a positive path for a future project together. By the end, we know if an initial consultation is in the stars.
What Do you Really Really Want?
Many times our clients need help figuring out the entire scope, so I always have an initial consultation to visit the yard and get to know them. I think it is super important to make sure we are on the same page with the direction of a project from the very start. Time is money and the initial consultation saves both.
The consultation isn’t the first time I’ve talked to a potential client however. The relationship begins with a telephone conversation about their yard, what they like and dislike about it, what are concerns they have and goals for the future. Because of Google Maps, I can usually look at their yards while we talk on the phone to really get specific. The conversation is an easy way to get to know if we are the right fit and to set a positive path for a future project together. By the end, we know if an initial consultation is in the stars.
Face to Face
I love to find out about their ideas and hopes as well as where their yard is driving them crazy! Everybody has problem spots from where it gets way too wet after rainstorms to places that are “just too shady to grow anything”. All of these factors play into figuring out a scope that is best for them. As we walk the site and talk more, I give advice about plants that can work in different areas, how lighting would open up a space and where sitting areas or flexible spaces could live. We look at structural items like old decks or badly damaged retaining walls & stairs and discuss what it may take to replace them. All of these specifics inform the master plan, but they aren’t the reason for this first visit. The real objective is to clarify all of the necessary parts for the master plan scope. It is when everything is defined that I can map out a realistic timetable and cost for design services.
I always send a follow-up email to the homeowners. It is to make 100% sure that we talked about everything that needs to be included in the master plan. In the email I will have a list everything we discussed. Even before the initial consultation is over, I can give them a range of what the design services will cost, but often owners forget to mention 2, 3 or 4 things that need to be added to the scope. After a couple of emails back and forth, I can create a proposal that is precisely targeted for them with a price for work. The proposal lays out all of the tasks to be completed, and any costs that may come from detailed drawings for construction.
With the proposal in hand, the fun can really gets going!
I love to find out about their ideas and hopes as well as where their yard is driving them crazy! Everybody has problem spots from where it gets way too wet after rainstorms to places that are “just too shady to grow anything”. All of these factors play into figuring out a scope that is best for them. As we walk the site and talk more, I give advice about plants that can work in different areas, how lighting would open up a space and where sitting areas or flexible spaces could live. We look at structural items like old decks or badly damaged retaining walls & stairs and discuss what it may take to replace them. All of these specifics inform the master plan, but they aren’t the reason for this first visit. The real objective is to clarify all of the necessary parts for the master plan scope. It is when everything is defined that I can map out a realistic timetable and cost for design services.
I always send a follow-up email to the homeowners. It is to make 100% sure that we talked about everything that needs to be included in the master plan. In the email I will have a list everything we discussed. Even before the initial consultation is over, I can give them a range of what the design services will cost, but often owners forget to mention 2, 3 or 4 things that need to be added to the scope. After a couple of emails back and forth, I can create a proposal that is precisely targeted for them with a price for work. The proposal lays out all of the tasks to be completed, and any costs that may come from detailed drawings for construction.
With the proposal in hand, the fun can really gets going!
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