Process

A design project begins in one of 2 ways:
• You’ve requested a free get-acquainted meeting; or
• You’ve requested a coaching session.

Free Get-acquainted Meeting
or Coaching Session
You will choose a free get- acquainted meeting to see more of my portfolio than is posted here online, and ask me questions about what I can do for you. I will ask you questions about what you want for your landscape. We will likely take a brief tour of your property.

This meeting is not a design meeting, and I will not give concrete design ideas. I will speak in generalities such as a patio going here, the veggie area there, or make comments about what I'm seeing that doesn't seem to be working as well as it could be.

The get-acquainted meeting is for you to become comfortable with me, and me to get enough information from you to make you a good estimate.

You will choose a coaching session to hear my design ideas before you select me to design for you. During this kind of coaching, I very often get enough information from you to make an estimate. I will also show my portfolio samples and go over the levels of design service, and of course, that part of our meeting is free.

The Estimate
Usually, within a couple of days of this initial free meeting or paid coaching session, I will get a written estimate back to you via email... or by snail-mail if necessary. Once you receive the estimate, you can reject it, have me tweak it to your satisfaction, or accept it as is. Estimates are good for 30 days after which they expire.

If you accept the estimate, you’ll print it out, indicate your acceptance (as you’ll be instructed on the document), sign it (after which it becomes our contract), and send a deposit of 1/2 of the lower estimate range amount (minus any related coaching/consulting fee you’ve already paid... all of which will be clearly noted on the estimate) to begin your project. If you reject the estimate, we simply go our separate ways.

Scheduling
After receiving your deposit and contract, I will be in touch to let you know when I can get your project into my schedule. During the months of March through September it is common for me to have commitments as much as 4 weeks out. You will have been told approximately how long you’ll have to wait for my services at our first meeting. But I will firm up an actual start date at this time.

I can finish a design project (once it is measured) in about 2 weeks. But as is very often the case, the client’s schedule and mine don’t mesh for that to happen. I’ll do the best I can to finish as soon as possible. A more realistic project duration seems to be closer to 4 weeks.

Design Begins
If I feel unclear about your desires (particularly if it has taken a long time to get your project started), I may schedule a refresher meeting.

Then, I will come photograph your site, contemplate design options, and measure (which could be the same day as this second meeting). Ordinarily, you need not be present for my photo/measuring visit unless your property is locked. Then I go to my studio and design.

Concept Review Meeting
Depending on my workload, I should have a preliminary concept plan ready to show you within a few days. We will meet to review the plan, and you will have a chance to give additional input about the design.

Most clients feel comfortable seeing the preliminary concept plan, hearing the rationale for my design decisions, giving me some of their input, then having me go back to my studio and finish up their plan. Some, however, feel the need to think about the preliminary concept for a while, looking over the drawing, walking their lot, then meeting with me again to discuss any concerns before I proceed. If you want me to leave the preliminary concept plan with you after this meeting, I will require payment for my time-to-date (if it has surpassed what you paid as a deposit). When you've approved the plan to this point, I will return to my studio and finish up your design.

Final Meeting
Within another week or so (depending our our mutual schedules), I will schedule the final meeting at which you’ll receive the final hardcopy drawing and CD with digital files, lists, photos, etc (as described here). I will have an invoice and require payment of the balance due at the end of the meeting. I will not leave the final drawing and CD with you without payment in full.

Adding Services, Changes, Etc.
If for any reason there are extra costs along the way, I will make sure you approve them before the costs are incurred. Along with your estimate, you'll receive my Services / Procedures document detailing everything here and more.