|
|
|
|
|
-
About Us
-
Landscape Innovations, Inc. realizes that each of our clients has specific needs. It is for that reason that we welcome your phone call. Our experiecne also has taught us that many people have similar questions before beginning the project they may be envisioning. Please take a moment to learn more about what we do and then call us so that we may discuss the particular details of your upcoming project.
| | | |
About the process:
The process usually begins with a phone conversation to discuss the scope of your project and to determine a course of action. Occasionally, our clients have very specific needs, such as replacing an existing lawn or patio, and we are able to provide them with an estimate at no charge. A written proposal is given after visiting the site.
More commonly however, our clients want some direction and ask us to design a landscape master plan. The plan serves as a means to communicate ideas and to accurately estimate costs. We will then set up an 'Initial Consultation' with you. The focus of this meeting is to get acquainted, take a walk around the property, talk about your project and finally to determine if we'll make a good team together. This meeting also allows us to estimate the hours needed for design and consultation.
We ask our clients to do a little homework prior to the consultation if possible. This will help us to understand their needs and wants. Although we have a wealth of solutions to share, we are committed to providing solutions that fit your specific needs as well as the architecture of your home and character of its surroundings.
- Develop a 'Wish List' of all the amenities you've dreamed of having. For example: a gazebo, herb garden, waterfall, etc.
- Develop a 'Program' of all the functional needs of your family and property. For example: entertainment areas for eight adults, BBQ, dog run, privacy, play area, storage, etc. It is also helpful to include limitations and constraints, i.e.; drainage and erosion problems, views, noise, privacy, etc.
- Develop a 'Picture File'. This will help to communicate to us the character of the landscape, garden or entertainment space that you want to create. Your file may contain photos of your favorite yard including addresses of local homes we can visit and magazine cuttings.
- Make copies of any site plans, architectural drawings or topographical surveys that provide us with information about the existing conditions of your house or property.
We'll work closely with you to develop a master plan, a guide for proposed and future work. First, you'll have an opportunity to review and approve a 'preliminary plan' which establishes the general layout of the 'Program' elements. After some revision and fine-tuning, we'll choose materials, colors, and plant varieties for the 'final plan'. The design period can typically take 3-6 weeks or more depending on the complexity of the project. Design fees are collected upon each delivery of the preliminary and final plan.
| | | |
|
About the contract:
At the completion of the design period, we will submit a written proposal for the project construction. A deposit (10% of the project total) is required to insure a place on our project schedule. An additional 40% is collected prior to commencement of the work. The balance is due at the completion of the work.
| | | |
|
Retainer Option:
The 'Initial Consultation' meeting may provide us with enough information to make an educated guess as to the general project cost. Based on this rough estimate, we will accept a 10% retainer to insure your immediate placement on our construction schedule.
| | | |
|
About time:
Gardens grow and change. Over time landscapes settle in and begin to look mature. A mature and beautiful landscape is something we wait for. Newly planted gardens can also be beautiful without being over planted if enough care is taken. We do not subscribe to the "over-plant now and edit out later" method of planting.
Occasionally a plant won't thrive in a given location or the plant's particular likes will warrant a bit of rearranging in the garden. A little shifting, changing and replacing become part of the landscape process and for these and other reasons many of our customers become ongoing clients. We strongly recommend that they schedule follow-up visits occasionally after the initial installation of the project is complete.
| | | |
|
About maintenance:
The term itself is quite subjective. Some degree of maintenance is inevitably a must. While lowered maintenance may be a common goal, zero maintenance is not realistic. Once the right plant goes into the right place, watering, weeding, fertilizing, deadheading and pruning will need to occur to one degree or another. Having your maintenance person 'mow and blow' will not suffice. We highly recommend hiring one of the many knowledgeable horticulturists and professional gardeners available here in the NW to fine-tune your garden on an on-going or seasonal basis.
| | | |
|
About the value of a good landscape:
Will you get your investment in the landscape back at resale? Since the landscape is something you will enjoy using while you live there, part of its value lies there. We do not think that every dollar invested is always returned at the resale. Sometimes, more is returned at resale than was invested. Trees and specimen plants gain value as they mature. Additonally, beautiful landscapes difinitely sell homes.
| | | |
|
|
|
|
|
