Landscape design and consulting services are primarily available in the greater San Jose area of California.  Every project is unique and there are different design services to address the correct fit for your project.

Design Consultation Process

This design process is for smaller spaces approximately 50’x50’ or so and are charged by the hour.  Typically this is a service for Lawn Conversion projects for the Santa Clara County Water Rebate program.  It can also serve for small garden areas, outdoor living spaces or courtyard settings needing revitalization. 

The amount of time needed will depend on the size and complexity of the project.  Most Lawn Conversion Projects are about a total of 4-6 hours. 

We begin with a short morning tour of your space and full discussion of the goals with my associate who is a landscape contractor. The benefit is the added insights of an additional designer and the opportunity, up front, to ask questions on installation logistics and budget constraints.  Once the space is measured I will create the base plan in CAD.  Via Zoom, we will review plants appropriate for the site, your goals, and then we will create your landscape design together.  Once we conclude, you will have digital files of your landscape design and a full plant list that I email to you.  You can use this design to get bids from landscape contractors or to install your project yourself. 

In-Studio Design Process

Master Plan Landscape Design fees are a custom one project flat fee, dependent on the goals of the project derived from all the input for the project.  The proposal will itemize what is included and the estimated landscape design fee.

In-Studio Landscape Design process begins with an initial complimentary meeting on Zoom after some Q&A via email to discover what your intentions and wish list items are for the space or landscape.  We will discuss the use of the space and what you do and don't like as far as functions, materials, and plants.   I will openly share my initial ideas during this zoom meeting.  

I use this meeting as my 'questionnaire' period before a contract is even signed so that my proposal can be as detailed as possible and I have a clear understanding of the goals of the project. The proposal will contain the scope of the project outlining your goals and concerns along with the design fees. 

Once a contract is signed and a deposit made, the landscape design process can move forward and schedule your project to measure the project area by my associate who is a landscape contractor and designer.  If you already have a site plan from a former remodel, then that can be useful in creating a basic CAD site plan for your project but may still need some additional measuring and inventory.  If a demolition plan is warranted, it would be included in the project. I also include information about irrigation and lighting as needed on the landscape plan.

A plant palette appropriate to your goals will be sent for your review and feedback.  Once I have your feedback, I can complete the preliminary landscape design.

At the Zoom Preliminary Design Review meeting we will go over all the details of your landscape plan and make any tweaks or revisions to be changed in the computer design file.  This is done through Zoom where I share my screen and go over all the details and we discuss revisions.  It is followed with a PDF emailed for further review and consideration for further revisions.  Normally, the final revision process takes a few days to a few weeks.

Your Final Landscape Design Plan will show your garden elements and materials you desire.  A plant list will give the botanical and common name for each plant along with the quantity in the landscape design.   Also, indications are made for outdoor lighting to cover security and ambience.  Irrigation notes are included.  The digital files emailed to you are then utilized to email to contractors for bid requests.

If you are working with the city for a remodel or large scale installation and a full irrigation plan and water budget calculation sheet are required, this can be available but is an additional fee to the landscape plan.  This is usually referred to as the Landscape Documentation Package. This is usually only required if you are needing permits for a structure , gas line or new electrical, or full house remodel/new build.  Many cities will omit this requirement for a landscape documentation package if the new plant material is 500sf or less. For projects under 2500sf, 75% of the planting must be low water.  Consider your lawn to be a Delta Bluegrass Co. product with their native bent grass blend sod to help save water.  It will still count as lawn space by the city but it will use less water over its life than most other sods.  For projects that require an irrigation plan, a landscape contractor works with me for the licensing certification.

For DIY design with guidance, I have an E-book on Amazon. Design Your Dreamscape

Unlock Your Dream Garden!

Transform your outdoor space with our easy, step-by-step guide. No art skills needed!

Small or large, we'll show you how to create a stunning landscape design.

Get instant access: Download the E-book now! (Free on Kindle Unlimited, $8.99 regular price)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPXGMGB6?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0UOI86G-Dy8aa4TfrsNx68VNLBMon8kdbEj-7tSD8kUdd1MyIVnOWVUtM_aem_XPX-C-z1kbG4Nm0hVvSNTg

Leave a review on Amazon after reading!