Procedure for residential design

First Meeting

The first meeting between client and landscape designer is treated as a consultation. For some clients a consultation will be sufficient though usually it is the first step in the design process. The site will be assessed and possible design approaches will be canvassed with the client's wishes and ideas discussed with reference to environmental and regulatory constraints and budget. Advice will be given as to whether other consultants such as a geotechnical engineer or arborist will be required.

Fee Proposal

A fee proposal for design services will be presented to the client soon after the initial consultation. It outlines the scope of the job and what the designer is offering; it is an agreement between client and designer.

If the fee proposal is accepted another site visit is conducted to document the site and receive any further briefing the client may wish to give.

Concept drawings

A conceptual drawing is prepared, and a meeting is arranged to discuss the ideas; often further modification of the design will take place following this initial review. The drawings are not finalized until the client is completely happy with the concept.

From the beginning, all drawings are to scale- every attempt is made to accurately describe the site. For large or complex sites this may mean that a survey done by a registered surveyor is necessary. Many landscape plans are carried out as part of a larger property development so that architectural and surveyor's plans are already available. All drawings are computer-generated so that all landscape drawings are fully compatible with the architect's or other consultants' CAD files.

Finished Drawings

Once the design is agreed on, the drawings are completed with detail on planting, set outs, construction elements, materials, and other items such as drainage, lighting and irrigation, if required. Engineering drawings may be required to supplement construction details.

The drawings may then be submitted to Council for approval or to landscape contractors for pricing. Impact Planners may be retained for contract administration- to endure the construction is true to the design and to vet materials and construction standards. For more complex or larger jobs Impact Planners may act as project manager to organize all the contractors necessary for the project.

Costs:

Consultation: $150 for the first hour and then $100/hr or part thereof. If the site is more than 30 minutes drive from the office, travel costs are charged ($60/hr or part thereof). Landscape Design: Fees rise with site size and the complexity of the project. While no firm fee proposal is offered until the site is viewed and the client interviewed, the following is a rough guide; fees for preparation and/or lodging of DAs are not included: