© 2003-2014 In Bloom Garden Design | Ph. 650.224.8461
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
1. Why should I work with a landscape designer?
Because a professional landscape designer spends their life thinking about the subject, they come to your garden filled with knowledge, creative ideas and imagination to develop a custom design that is uniquely suited to your home, lifestyle and personal preferences.
Landscape design is challenging from an artistic, environmental, architectural, engineering and horticultural viewpoint. Unlike other art forms, a garden is not a static creation, but a dynamic, evolving ecosystem that requires continued inputs and energy over time. Its creation requires careful thought on different levels: botanically (which plants to choose), spatially (where to put what), seasonally (how will it look year-round?) and temporally (what will it look like in ten years?). A landscape designer factors all these things in and then adds an element of style that provides the spirit of the garden.
By spending time with a landscape designer to work through the design details during the planning phase, you will save money and time as it is less costly to consider the alternatives and change your mind on paper than it is during installation or after completion. Landscape design consists of a process that culminates in the creation of a set of documents that become your blueprint and information source for the project. These documents will assist you in obtaining comparable bids from landscape contractors to fully develop your site either in a single project or in phases over time.
A landscape designer will work with you to create this master plan, selecting the most appropriate materials & plants for your site and budget, developing solutions for specific problems on your property (i.e. privacy, noise, etc.), and finding the best people in the landscape industry to help bring the vision for your garden to reality.
Additional benefits of working with a landscape designer include assistance with quality control/site observation during installation, the opportunity to purchase plants at considerable savings from retail prices, and formation of a relationship with someone who can provide ongoing consultation as the garden changes and matures.
2. What should I look for in hiring a landscape designer?
3. What is the difference between a landscape designer, a landscape architect and a landscape contractor?
Landscape designers provide design ideas, conceptual plans and planting plans in conformity with The Standards of Practice of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD™), but do not provide any structural analyses or engineering specifications for how things are to be built. Those details are subject to design by civil/structural engineers, landscape architects or landscape contractors. Designers will likely know plants well, have a strong aesthetic sense and be able to provide horticultural advice/information. In the Bay Area, their design fees generally range from $65-150/hour or 8-12% of the project construction cost.
Landscape architects have undergraduate and/or graduate degrees in Landscape Architecture, are licensed by the state of California and are trained in designing and engineering the exterior built environment. They are qualified to create construction-ready plans with construction details for complex retaining walls, decks, arbors, water features & drainage. In the Bay Area, their design fees generally range from $150-300/hour or 10-20% of the project construction cost. For assistance in finding a landscape architect, visit the ASLA website.
Landscape contractors are licensed by the state of California and implement the plans of landscape designers and architects, as well as their own plans if they offer design/build services. Some landscape contractors have a horticulture background and others do not. Some contractors lack the time to design their own projects so they work in association with independent designers and architects. Contractors usually submit a bid for the designed project which can be a fixed price bid or a time & materials bid.
Depending on the nature, scope & features of your project, you will need to decide which of these professionals are best suited to work with you on designing & implementing your project. The best way to make this determination is to look at portfolios of previous jobs and check references to hear clients describe how well their needs were met. Most often, I work directly with the homeowner and a landscape contractor to implement a project and, invariably, the projects that turn out best involve a collaborative creative effort between the homeowner, contractor & me.
One of the main ingredients for a successful garden design is the trust and confidence that is established between client and designer. To help select the right designer to collaborate with on your future garden, click on the icon for some useful guidelines.
4. What is the benefit of professionally landscaping my home?
Not only will you increase the enjoyment of your property, you will increase the value of your home!
5. What steps are involved in the landscape design process?
Initial Consultation
The initial consultation consists of an onsite meeting to hear your ideas/vision for the property, review my portfolio and discuss possibilities for the site based upon your wishes and budget. Upon mutual determination that we have a good basis for partnership, I will prepare a design services proposal indicating the scope of work and the estimated fees for the project.
Design Process
- Client questionnaire review. Assimilation of all input from your completed client questionnaire, review of favorite photos/gardens, budget discussion and determination of a color palette for the garden.
- Site analysis & base map preparation. Includes measuring site, taking photographs, analyzing soil, conducting building code research, observing sun/shade/wind patterns, noting drainage issues/noise problems/privacy issues, and identifying plant material to be retained/removed/relocated.
- Concept sketches & client review. Once I complete the base plan, I will develop one or more ideas for you to review. We may also look at examples from books or photographs to help select a design concept & direction.
- Preliminary plan development & client review. Determine final location & design for all desired site elements, including patios/decking, walkways, fences, arbors, play areas, outdoor kitchens/eating areas, pool/spa/water features, lawn and planting beds, trees and general plant materials. Determine building material specifications for the hardscape elements and develop landscape lighting plan, if desired.
- Planting plan development & client review. Develop plan showing specific location of all plant material, including botanical & common names, quantity and size of each plant selected. Includes picture report of all plants.
- Master plan preparation. Prepare final conceptual plan which may include any or all of the following: demolition plan, hardscape plan with building materials legend, construction notes/details, lighting plan, planting plan & proposed irrigation zoning plan. The master plan will be used to obtain contractor bids.
Construction & Installation
- Bidding & contractor selection. I can provide contractor referrals and help you solicit/review/analyze the contractor bids. Once the final contractor is selected, I will walk through the job with them to review the design before construction begins.
- Site observation. Periodic visits to monitor landscape installation, answer any client/contractor questions and participate in any design decisions or changes.
- Plant procurement & placement. Purchase and guide placement of all plant material for planting by the landscape contractor to ensure that the overall aesthetic quality of the design is achieved.
- Final walk-through. Final onsite meeting with homeowner and contractor upon completion of installation to review sprinkler coverage, timeclock operation, etc.
6. How much do you charge to create a design?
Design fee estimates are determined after an initial consultation meeting at your site. Initial consultations cost $200 and usually last about 2 hours. Design fees are billed at an hourly rate of $100/hour and generally range from 8-12% of the completed project cost. Fees are dependent upon the size of the property, the scope and complexity of the project, as well as the degree & number of modifications required as the design evolves. The minimum fee for a full landscape design is $3,500. Payment consists of an upfront retainer that is due upon acceptance of my proposal, followed by progress payments that are due upon delivery of drawings.
7. How long does it take to complete the landscape design process?
The design phase of the process normally takes 6-12 weeks and depends on the complexity of the project, my design queue, how frequently we can meet and how quickly you make your building material selections. This does not take into account time for submission to city/county planning & building departments to obtain design approval and building permits when necessary.
8. How far in advance should I begin planning my landscape?
Based on my past experience, I would recommend beginning the design process for your landscape 6-12 months before you want your landscape to be completely installed and ready for use. Depending on market conditions and the size & complexity of your project, this should allow adequate time for an interactive design process, materials selection, bidding & selection of a contractor, obtaining any necessary design approvals or building permits from cities/counties, scheduling of your job and the actual installation process.
9. Can you help me with exterior design choices for my home and picking out accessories and/or furnishings for the garden?
There is a saying that “the devil is in the details”, and selecting the details is one of my favorite parts of landscape design! The main goal is to ensure that the exterior details work together to enhance the architecture of the home and are in keeping with the look and feel of the garden. These details may include help with selecting paint colors, new garage doors, woodwork & trim accents, mailboxes, exterior light fixtures, address plaques, outdoor furniture, fountains & garden art. When these design elements are planned cohesively, they contribute to a feeling of harmony in your outdoor spaces.
10. What if I don’t like something you suggest?
Ideally, the design process is collaborative and iterative so that we work together to create a place of beauty and personal meaning especially for you. I listen carefully to your ideas and vision for the property and obtain as much input as possible from you about your goals, lifestyle and likes/dislikes through our dialog and completion of my client questionnaire. The more information you give me upfront, the better, i.e. photos you have collected of favorite gardens, plants, furniture, containers, etc. I then work to create a garden setting that meets your goals, reflects your aesthetic tastes and complements your house architecture and site character.
11. What happens when the design is finished and ready to be installed?
To assist clients in moving smoothly from design to successful installation, I have developed working relationships with some of the industry’s most talented landscape contractors, woodworkers, arborists, building material suppliers and specialty nurseries/plant sources. To ensure the integrity of the design, I provide assistance during the construction phase by furnishing contractor referrals, soliciting/reviewing/analyzing bids, performing site observation, purchasing & placing plants for installation, and locating garden elements or hard-to-find plants. These services are charged on an hourly basis or a fixed % of construction cost (generally 2-5%).
12. Why should I hire a licensed & insured landscape contractor?
Hiring a licensed & insured landscape contractor (C-27) helps to protect you and your property. Hiring an unlicensed contractor can bring your project far more risks than savings. You can be held liable for on-the-job injuries, taxes or insurance. You can be held responsible for complying with city and county codes or correcting problems with workmanship and warranties. You can even be held liable for an unlicensed contractor's illegal acts. Contractors must demonstrate a minimum level of skill, competency and financial responsibility to be licensed. You can check the license status for any contractor you consider hiring by going to www.cslb.ca.gov. Be sure to check their references as well before you hire them.
It is always a good idea to ask for a written certificate of insurance from any contractor you choose to hire to verify that they have workers’ compensation, general liability & business auto insurance coverage currently in force; this is usually available upon request at no additional charge. Workers’ compensation insurance protects you from liability in case a worker employed by the landscape contractor is injured on your property. General liability insurance protects against calamities such as floods or landslides caused by construction. Business automobile insurance provides additional protection when a contractor’s vehicle is involved in an accident on your property.
13. Once the design is completed, how long will it take to complete the installation of my garden?
Once a master design is complete and ready to go out for bid, installation of your new garden may take up to several weeks or several months, depending upon the following factors:
- Complexity of the design, i.e. how many trades need to be coordinated, how much hardscape needs to be constructed, whether a swimming pool or water feature is involved, whether your project requires design approval & building permits from your city/county, etc.
- The time of year you go out to bid, i.e. peak demand generally occurs in Spring & Fall
- How many contractors you decide to get bids from & how long the bidding process takes (I recommend allowing at least 4-6 weeks to obtain bids)
- Whether you decide to hire one landscape contractor to coordinate & oversee the entire project or you decide to hire separate contractors for the different trades involved
- The scheduling availability/backlog of each individual contractor before they can get started
- How long the contractor(s) estimates the job will take once they get started
- Weather conditions which may affect the contractor’s ability to work
14. What happens after the garden is installed?
Upon completion of the installation, I will conduct a final walk through of the garden with the landscape contractor to check sprinkler coverage, review the initial timeclock settings and operation with you and provide a laminated map of your sprinkler zones to facilitate your management of the automated sprinkler system. As the homeowner, you will be responsible for managing the sprinkler timeclock once the plants are installed to ensure that they receive the proper amount of water for the prevailing weather conditions. I will provide you with a moisture meter to help you assess the moisture content of the soil and encourage you to contact the landscape contractor or myself immediately if you notice that certain plants are not thriving so that we can try to remedy the situation before they die.
As gardens are living ecosystems that grow and change over time, I encourage my clients to stay in touch and am available for follow-up consultations in subsequent months or years to help manage adjustments that may be necessary in the garden as it matures. With your permission, I also like to visit periodically to photograph the garden and see how things are growing.
15. What will it take to maintain the investment I have just made in my new garden?
Keep in mind that about 20% of the cost of a garden is in the planning and installation phase; the remaining 80% of the cost is in the ongoing maintenance over the life of the garden and is necessary to keep up the value of your original investment. Even if you have requested a “low maintenance” garden, every garden requires some tender loving care to help it grow in and achieve its intended beauty. This can usually be accomplished with a combination of regular weekly maintenance and specialty services provided as needed throughout the year.
Proper maintenance of your garden includes water management through the seasons by adjusting your sprinkler timeclock, conducting periodic irrigation checks to test for coverage/leaks & to make repairs/adjustments as plants mature, pruning young trees for structure, pruning shrubs, deadheading & dividing perennials as necessary, weeding, and adding compost & mulch annually to keep soil temperature down, minimize water usage & minimize weeds. In new and established gardens, I recommend annual or semi-annual applications of compost tea to your lawn and bedding areas to help the fertility and health of your soil which, in turn, feeds your plants; this is in place of applying inorganic chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Visit the Garden Resources page of my website to obtain more information about compost tea and the soil foodweb.
16. How do I find a gardener to maintain my garden once it is installed?
In advance of preparing the landscape design, my client questionnaire asks how much you expect to spend per month on gardening services and we discuss the type of garden that is realistic for that budget range. Keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for, and most of the gardeners out there are “mow, blow & go” types who will shear all of your plant material into perfectly round balls regardless of the natural/intended form. If you choose to go this route, be prepared to live with the result or to manage and oversee the work they do.
Gardeners who offer fine gardening services generally have some horticultural training and knowledge of proper care & natural pruning techniques for each plant type; their rates range from $35-60+/hr. depending on the skill level. Expect to pay a premium if you want someone else to manage your garden for you as this usually requires the services of a maintenance landscape contractor with skilled foremen who plan and oversee the weekly and seasonal tasks performed by the laborers. Once the garden is installed, I can help to provide referrals for qualified maintenance professionals.
Smart Money Article “Add 15% To Your Home’s Value” - Read this special report 'Fertile Ground' from the March 2003 issue of Smart Money, The Wall Street Journal Magazine of Personal Business, for advice on how to increase your home’s resale value by revamping your landscape. Learn about the four projects that yield the highest financial return.
Money Magazine Cover “The six most important words in yard improvement: curb appeal, curb appeal, curb appeal.” – Read 'How Does Your Garden Grow?' from the May 2003 issue of Money Magazine for tips on which landscape projects pay off. (Please note that prices quoted in this article are understated for the Bay Area.)
"Want to get a big return on your home-improvement investment? Look outside, not inside." - Read 'Lawn and Garden Equity' by Jay MacDonald at Bankrate.com for advice on the benefit of hiring a landscape designer to help you paint your garden masterpiece. December 13, 2005
Check the CLCA website for additional information on hiring a licensed landscape contractor.
