Design doesn’t need to be mystifying.
In this post, we will walk you through our design process and give visual examples.
1. Initial Consultation
In our initial meeting, we’ll get a preliminary understanding of your landscape needs, budget, and an initial view of the property. It’s important for clients to give as complete a list of desires at this stage as they can, so that we get an accurate scope of the project.
2. Predesign
At the beginning of the process, we get to know you, your property and the architecture of your home. How do you plan to use the space? What images have you collected? Communication is an essential part of the process. We use Pinterest or email to share design ideas and inspiration with our clients. (This is where the fun starts!)
“Before” Shot of a Front Yard Project. 
Survey – Typically used as a Base Plan for the design.
Pinterest board to share ideas
4. Conceptual Design
Conceptual plans are the first full design plans that we share with our clients. They include locations for elements, including seating areas, pathways, water elements, outdoor kitchens, and planting. We offer 3-D rendering as an additional service to help you envision your new landscape.
A typical Conceptual plan for a front yard garden. This one featured a new stairway, seating area and hillside planting.
Initial collage showing new stairs and planting. 
A revised collage.
5. Construction Documents
On modest-sized projects, once you have approved the Conceptual plans, we generate construction documents. (Larger projects will have a set of Design Development drawings as an intermediate step.) Construction documents are detailed plans ready for permitting and/or landscape construction. Planting, paving, irrigation, lighting are all called out on separate sheets.
Layout + Materials Plan 
Planting Plan
6. Installation
To implement the design, we have longstanding relationships with several contractors. And we regularly visit our projects during construction to make sure the installation matches our client’s plans.
Planting with Coffman Morris Landscape. 
New concrete stairs curing.
7. Final Walkthrough / Maintenance Advice
Our landscapes are designed to thrive with minimal maintenance. That said, a garden is a living thing and will always look better with ongoing care. We give you maintenance advice and are available for periodic check-ins to make sure your garden is thriving. And we are available to help select or purchase finishing touches, such as pots and furniture.
The garden is already beginning to look lush just three months after installation, although it typically takes 2-3 years for plants to become fully established.
