FAQ's

 Q. Do you provide landscape installation?

A. My focus is on design, but I am happy to recommend some top-notch landscape contractors who have installed past clients’ yards. They do beautiful work! I also have grading contractors and cement contractors whom I can refer.

Q. Do your plans include guidance on hardscape elements like extended patios, pathways, or retaining?

A. Yes, those elements are an important part of any design. We discuss placement, size and materials.

Q. After the initial consultation, how soon can you complete the design?

A. My turnaround time is usually a week to 10 days.

Q. What methods of payment do you accept and when is payment due?

A. I accept cash, check and Venmo. For landscape plans, half is due at the consultation. The remaining amount is due when I present the plan to you.

Q. How does having a landscape plan benefit the bid process as I look to hire a landscape contractor?

A. Having a professional design helps in many ways. Sometimes landscape contractors, in the name of simplicity and efficiency, would like to give you a cookie cutter layout, with cookie cutter plants. They do not come up with a formal plan but simply outline some beds and plant what’s available. With a landscape plan in hand, the contractor can catch your vision and accurately estimate the cost of materials and install. Each plan is to-scale (helpful to calculate yardage of sod and mulch and in sprinkler system design). Each plan also includes a plant quantities list, helping the contractor to accurately estimate plant materials cost.

Q. Once my yard is in, how will I know how to maintain the trees and plants?

A. I want my clients to have all the tools they need to ensure plants stay alive and healthy. To achieve that goal, each plan comes with plant information and an identifying picture of each type of plant material in their plan. And any specific care needed and mature size. Also included is “Green Thumb” advice about proper installation, feeding, watering and pruning. I want to help protect your investment in your outdoor living space.

Q. I have an existing yard but would like to renovate. How does that work?

A. For existing yards, the initial consultation is very important. We will be walking through your yard, deciding what needs to change, deciding what plants you wish to keep, etc. We will also address any hardscape (like patios and pathways) than need to be added or removed.

Q. I am building a new home. At what stage of construction can we begin landscape design?

A. Landscape design can begin any time after the house is framed. I like to match the design of a yard to the scale of the house. Having it framed also allows me to accurately consider the sun/shade areas around your home.