How We Work
Bid/Build or Design/Build
Whether you’ve hired another design firm and already have plans or you’re interested in a landscape design and construction, you’ve come to the right place. The Bid/Build process starts with an estimate, the Design/Build process is below.
Initial Consultation:
The first step in the landscape design and installation process is the initial consultation. The consultation can take place in our design studio or on site. We will discuss your needs, likes, dislikes, and the budget. To be prepared, clip photographs of landscape designs and plants from magazines or create an ideabook on Pinterest or Houzz. The rough ideas that we discuss will take shape in the design phase. This meeting usually lasts 1-1.5 hours.
Landscape Design:
From the information gathered at the first meeting we will start working on a conceptual landscape plan that will compliment your site’s architecture, and meet your family’s needs and lifestyle.
Presentation of Plan and Estimate:
Once a conceptual plan is complete and an estimate is developed, a second meeting is scheduled. At that point, the project is presented to you. You are encouraged to make changes and voice any concerns over the initial design concept. At this time, changes are inexpensive and easy to correct. Once the necessary changes have occurred and the plan is agreed upon, an estimate will be given. At this point, the design is in a partial stage of completion. The last phase of the design process, where we figure out all the important details, is the most time consuming part of the design process. Since our focus is on creating beautiful landscapes and not pushing paper, our goal is to spend just enough time in the design that we can price the installation and you can see the direction your project is taking. At this point, we present an estimate for the work. if you want to move forward, you would agree to the proposal and you would give us a deposit for the project. At that point, we work with you to complete the design with all the details. Once the plan is finalized, your project will be scheduled for installation.
Installation:
Designing Eden LLC will install your gardens, lawns, drainage as well as many other ancillary tasks. Pools, masonry, fencing, carpentry and outdoor lighting will be completed by others. We are more than happy if you want to manage these other service providers to save some money. If you’d like us to manage these other service providers, we can do this for a fee.
Payment:
To insure a smooth installation process, most of the materials are purchased prior to the commencement of the project. Funding for each landscape design project is done using client funds and is collected in advance. A typical payment breakdown is: 30 percent before commencement of work, 50 percent as certain phases of the project are completed, and 20 percent at the project’s completion. This process can vary from project to project, depending on the size and scope of the work.