Services

Initial Project / Site Consultation (~2hrs)

I vistit your property & discuss the character of your project, existing landscape, assess your personal style & needs vs wants, ideal project budget, targets & timelines. I follow up with an email, summarizing everything from the property assessment & may share sketches & images of intent, before acquiring approval for Phase 1 - Concept Design.

Phase 1 - Concept Design

To inspire you by asking what your needs and wants are for your property to devise the best options for your landscape design. I may visit a 2nd time to record & dimension property extents, structures, assess microclimate, landscape opportunities & critical issues. Concept Design is a basic layout highlighting areas, dimensions of existing & proposed features. We review the plan with justifications for circulation, congregation, hardscape & planting, site furnishings & lighting.

Phase 2 - Design Development

We envision your completed project with a set of detailed plans, drafted to assess the cost of all landscaping elements you want to include, making adjustments as we refine the design. The final design package may include the following:

o    Demolition, excavation & earthwork (ponds, berms, ditches, parking, recreation zones, foundations)

o    Hardscape (paths, retaining walls, patios, decks, etc.)

o    Site furnishings (hot tubs, fences, benches, tables, firepits, sculpture, fountains, kitchens, etc.)

o    Softscape (planting buffers, specimens, gardens, lawns, naturalized areas, etc.) Sharing these plans with your contractor is critical for installation estimates and to submit for permits.

o    Lighting (safety, vehicule, paths, structures, plantings, ambiance & activity)

Phase 3 – Construction Drawings & Installation Supervision

For your property transformation, design details are incorporated into a document to share with a contractor so they can price it accurately. It may be necessary to assist during construction with more detailed design drawings or clarification for contractors. Landscape supervision is common during construction to ensure proper plant selection & installation, hardscape preparation & installation inspections, furniture siting & landscape lighting & overall coordination.

Fees

Design Rate

Initial Project / Site Consultation is $250 charged upon completion; I supply a project breakdown outlining action items and key features of the project as well as a design estimate including the number of hours & associated fees of your project before committing to services. Design changes & project delays can affect an estimate.

Typically, design & install supervision fees average 8-10% of the total install cost of the project. For instance, if your project costs approximately $50k, design fees ill run about $3.5-5k depending on designed and implemented site features.

Design & installation fees are $150/hr, minimum charge 1/4 hr.

Travel Time & Mileage

If your project requires a site visit beyond 25km from my office, I charge typical mileage fee (Nova Scotia - $0.65/km). I often divide mileage fees among projects in the same vicinity to keep client costs lower.

Invoicing

Invoices are sent monthly or coinciding with install milestones. Payment is due 30 days from date issued. Outstanding invoices must be settled prior to further work.

Retainer

A 25% retainer is charged on projects with estimated design fees exceeding $5k.