Why do need a consultation?
A garden consultation is the best starting point for garden projects great or small. As a Certified Horticulturist I will indentify garden problems and make recommendations for solutions. As a Landscape Designer I will help you to define your real needs (and all those wants!) and focus on cost effective solutions. If we determine that a design plan is appropriate, I will have gathered all the information I need to give you an estimate of the cost of creating the computer-generated plan.
Can I apply the cost of the consultation towards my design plan?
Yes. The full amount of the consultation is applied.
Why should I pay for a plan when some contractors will give me a free estimate?
Estimating a job without a defined plan is like pricing your grocery bill without having shopped yet. Without a well thought out plan based upon your individual needs and desires, you risk making costly mistakes or not getting what you want. The clearest path to a cohesive landscape you will love and to come in on budget is an agreed upon design plan printed on paper.
Can I use this plan to get installation bids from contractors?
Yes. The plan is yours to do with as you please. It is drawn to approximate scale so that your contractor can use it to do his pricing.
What’s the difference between a Landscape Designer, a Landscape Architect or a Landscape Contractor?
There are many very clear cut definitions in regard to these titles. Some are educational and some are legal. Unlike the garden designer or the landscape designer, the landscape architect has completed a rigorous educational program through an accredited university and has received a degree specifically in that subject. He or she is kind of an “outdoor engineer” and their expertise often lies more heavily in the area of “hardscape” than plantings. They also tend to be more expensive. A landscape contractor is licensed by the state of California and is regulated by the Contractors State License Board for the protection of the consumer. Beyond that, things start to get a little fuzzy.
A garden designer and a landscape designer are essentially the same thing and choosing one title over the other is a matter of preference and the image one wishes to convey. One who wishes to call themselves a garden designer may have less experience in the nuts and bolts of landscape construction. Although I am a “certified horticulturist” (meaning I have completed and passed a two-year certification program) and beautiful plantings are absolutely my thing, I call myself a landscape designer because I offer a wider range of services including space planning, hardscape design and the rendering of computer-generated plans. I also have years of experience in the field in landscape construction.
Who should I choose for my project?
The most important quality to seek out in any of these professionals is the ability to listen to you, the client, to determine your needs, wants and priorities and analyze how they stack up next to your budget. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with and who has won your confidence with a professional presentation and good references. Whether you are considering a simple garden renovation or installing a complete backyard entertainment center, it is critical to select the professional with the appropriate qualifications who can offer you the most cost effective (not cheapest!) solutions. (For some great ideas, see my “Landscape Solutions” page!)
Can my gardener do my project?
In many cases, yes. If you have confidence in his or her ability and he/she has experience in the work you need performed, a gardener can be a good and economical source of labor. I have worked with many client’s gardeners laying out the design on site for them, “spotting” the plant material and making sure the workers are using correct horticultural practices.
I’m a do-it-yourselfer. Will I be able to understand and implement your landscape plan?
Absolutely. Landscaping isn’t rocket science, it’s just good space planning. My design plan will have many “callouts” which will detail materials and plant species. If you need help, as your consultant I can outline your course of action and help out onsite with laying out the space and spotting the plants.
Can I call you if I have a question about my project?
Call me anytime throughout your project if you have a question or need clarification. I am also available on a consultation basis for plant and materials selection (i.e. shopping), supervising your labor and spotting plant material for the correct placement.
A garden consultation is the best starting point for garden projects great or small. As a Certified Horticulturist I will indentify garden problems and make recommendations for solutions. As a Landscape Designer I will help you to define your real needs (and all those wants!) and focus on cost effective solutions. If we determine that a design plan is appropriate, I will have gathered all the information I need to give you an estimate of the cost of creating the computer-generated plan.
Can I apply the cost of the consultation towards my design plan?
Yes. The full amount of the consultation is applied.
Why should I pay for a plan when some contractors will give me a free estimate?
Estimating a job without a defined plan is like pricing your grocery bill without having shopped yet. Without a well thought out plan based upon your individual needs and desires, you risk making costly mistakes or not getting what you want. The clearest path to a cohesive landscape you will love and to come in on budget is an agreed upon design plan printed on paper.
Can I use this plan to get installation bids from contractors?
Yes. The plan is yours to do with as you please. It is drawn to approximate scale so that your contractor can use it to do his pricing.
What’s the difference between a Landscape Designer, a Landscape Architect or a Landscape Contractor?
There are many very clear cut definitions in regard to these titles. Some are educational and some are legal. Unlike the garden designer or the landscape designer, the landscape architect has completed a rigorous educational program through an accredited university and has received a degree specifically in that subject. He or she is kind of an “outdoor engineer” and their expertise often lies more heavily in the area of “hardscape” than plantings. They also tend to be more expensive. A landscape contractor is licensed by the state of California and is regulated by the Contractors State License Board for the protection of the consumer. Beyond that, things start to get a little fuzzy.
A garden designer and a landscape designer are essentially the same thing and choosing one title over the other is a matter of preference and the image one wishes to convey. One who wishes to call themselves a garden designer may have less experience in the nuts and bolts of landscape construction. Although I am a “certified horticulturist” (meaning I have completed and passed a two-year certification program) and beautiful plantings are absolutely my thing, I call myself a landscape designer because I offer a wider range of services including space planning, hardscape design and the rendering of computer-generated plans. I also have years of experience in the field in landscape construction.
Who should I choose for my project?
The most important quality to seek out in any of these professionals is the ability to listen to you, the client, to determine your needs, wants and priorities and analyze how they stack up next to your budget. Choose the one you feel most comfortable with and who has won your confidence with a professional presentation and good references. Whether you are considering a simple garden renovation or installing a complete backyard entertainment center, it is critical to select the professional with the appropriate qualifications who can offer you the most cost effective (not cheapest!) solutions. (For some great ideas, see my “Landscape Solutions” page!)
Can my gardener do my project?
In many cases, yes. If you have confidence in his or her ability and he/she has experience in the work you need performed, a gardener can be a good and economical source of labor. I have worked with many client’s gardeners laying out the design on site for them, “spotting” the plant material and making sure the workers are using correct horticultural practices.
I’m a do-it-yourselfer. Will I be able to understand and implement your landscape plan?
Absolutely. Landscaping isn’t rocket science, it’s just good space planning. My design plan will have many “callouts” which will detail materials and plant species. If you need help, as your consultant I can outline your course of action and help out onsite with laying out the space and spotting the plants.
Can I call you if I have a question about my project?
Call me anytime throughout your project if you have a question or need clarification. I am also available on a consultation basis for plant and materials selection (i.e. shopping), supervising your labor and spotting plant material for the correct placement.
Frequently Asked Questions