Creating a Landscape Master Plan helps a client plan the landscape that will fit within their lifestyle as well as their budget.  It also helps with the planning process if a landscape will be created in stages.  Working together with you, the property owner, we will help you to determine your wants, needs and personal or business landscape style. 

Although this Design work costs only a fraction of the total expense of your eventual landscape it is worth the investment to insure that the best design decisions and plant material choices will meet your requirements.  That adds up to savings in the long run.

The product that you will receive in the end will be a set of detailed plans. These plans can be given to the various contractors that might be working on your yard. The design process follows the following schedule:

Concept Design Phase:  Dona begins by conducting a thorough on-site analysis of your property.  We take into consideration any grading and drainage issues, soil conditions, existing vegetation, sun exposure, wind directions, screening requirements and any utility lines or easements. Your property and home are measured and recorded.  Dona will have detailed conversations with you on your dreams and wishes.  We go into depth about your lifestyle, family or pet requirements.  You and your home’s design style is also taken into consideration and noted.

The Design Development:  After the Concept Design Phase we are led into the Design Development Program.  Dona will take the measurements from the Site Analysis and do a complete drawing of the property to scale.  She will then do two or more Schematic designs.  At this stage she is proposing new hardscape, elements such as water features, outdoor kitchens, fireplaces, terraces, screening, circulation patterns or shade structures.  She will not be discussing specific plants at this stage, but will be giving suggestions of potential trees or types of plants. A plant color palatte will also be considered.  Also at this stage you will be shown extensive photos, drawings, books and other illustrations to further continue your own education on what style and materials you would love to have in your yard.    Since Dona is a licensed General Building Contractor, her extensive knowledge of building codes and construction in general is invaluable at this point.  All of this work will ensure that the landscape you eventually have is the yard of your dreams and fits within your own specific lifestyle. 

The Final Plan: The design process leads you into the final plan that will detail all design elements for the present and the future. In this stage all hardscape, plant materials and trees are chosen.  If construction design drawings are needed for features such as outdoor kitchens or water features, they will be listed as well.  The final blueprint plans will be duplicated for all sub-contractors to bid from. This ensures that competitive bids come in considering all details.

The Installation:  After you have completed your landscape plans, Dona can help guide you through the installation.  This includes obtaining competitive bids from various quality sub-contractors whom Dona uses extensively.  She can also help guide you through each phase of the construction if you feel more comfortable.  Having Dona supervising their installation is preferable for many clients.  She can help with any on-site situations that might arise and help reassure the client throughout the installation process. This also helps insure that the final product is what the client always dreamed of.

Fees:  Dona Rawson bills at $125. an hour.  Landscape plans take approximately 10-12 hours from the Concept Design Phase through the Design Development.  In addition, supervision of a landscape installation takes approximately 10-15 hours depending on the details of the construction. All hours are tabulated on QuickBooks and clients are given a detailed invoice at the end of each phase.