Landscape Design Process

What is involved with the landscape design process and then the construction process? When you’re ready for new landscaping, it’s important to know what the steps are. We start with an initial phone and set up an initial consultation. Although the consultation can be a one-time interaction, most of the time it leads to plans. See our Landscape Design Services page for more information.

If we determine that plans are needed, we break it down into four separate steps. This system really seems to work for both Bluestar and the client! Because you only commit to one step at a time, we are able to gradually build rapport and trust. You feel confident in us after you see how we perform each step of the way. This relationship building is especially important before going into the construction process.

Here are the four steps to the design and and construction installation process. Each step is billed separately.

On-site Consultation Process

During the on-site consultation, which usually lasts at least 1.25 hours, we view the site, discuss what your needs are for hardscape and plants, discuss what your style is, figure out what you have that works and what doesn’t, look at photos, talk about whatever you have on your mind. After the consultation, we email you a Landscape Design Proposal / Contract.

Landscape Design Process

After you accept the Landscape Design Proposal, we come out to measure and take photos. After drawing the base plan from our measurments, we create the Landscape Layout Plan and research hardscape materials. In a zoom meeting we discuss the Layout Plan and complete a plant questionnaire together. We make any revisions that you would like to see (we include a free revision). After you approve the revised Layout Plan, we draw the Planting Plan. To finish, we label the layout elements, add a scope of work list and general installation notes. We finish the landscape design process with a final zoom meeting at which we present the planting plan and discuss the next steps.

Contractor Procurement Process

After finishing the design, we help you to find a contractor to build your project. We have contractors with whom we have had long relationships.  For procurement, we show the job to the contractor, do a takeoff for accurate square footages, review the quote, and prepare an excel spreadsheet with an itemized scope of work list. Then we have a zoom meeting to discuss the quote and figure out the final scope of work so that the numbers fit your budget.

Project Management for Construction Installation Process

We do a lot for project management! We start the job with the contractor; discuss grades, irrigation, drainage; lay out all hardscape features. Site visits along the way make sure elements are being built correctly. We liaise with contractor and homeowners. We order and lay out plants, making substitutions as necessary. Having us do the project management ensures quality control and takes the stress out of the construction process. This especially works for busy clients who don’t want to deal with multitudinous details.  But more importantly, it give us a chance to maximize artistry. An example: buying and laying rocks really takes an eye for it, which we have.

The great thing is that you don’t have to commit to anything other than one step at a time. This system has worked for years! Let us work it for you.