TRANQUIL GARDENS DESIGN PROCESS

IMAGINATIVE LANDSCAPES BUILT TO IMPRESS

Here is a short summary of how it works. After initial correspondence a meeting date and time is set to review on site the details pertaining to the project. A consultation fee of $75/hour with a 2 hour minimum plus GST is to be payed in advance. The required $157.50 payment can be paid by E-transfer or credit card. (For more details regarding why we charge when others may not please read the next section). The initial meeting takes place at your home or commercial site and is typically scheduled for 2 hours. It is very beneficial to walk around the site and discuss the implementation of the numerous elements desired in the landscape design. Open conversations in general terms about key feature locations and options, budget, expected costs of various materials is provided. Answering any questions you may have while introducing plant options and more specifics usually moves inside pending weather. At this stage we are forming a design conceptualization to move forward with. If you are comfortable with the direction the meeting has taken signing a design contract is the next step. If this takes place or you are still undecided on how to proceed photographs and key measurements are taken with permission of course. A typical design fee is $1500 for an average project. More complex designs, larger estate homes, some commercial projects and 3-D renderings are more. Designs done over the winter have the quickest turn-around time. During the construction season it can take 2-3 weeks to complete a detailed architectural drawing with the planting lists, irrigation and lighting specs. A preliminary sketch highlighting the main features and theme is provided early on for feedback before implementing a detailed plan. A follow up meeting to review the design details along with the very specific landscaping estimate is scheduled. If Tranquil Gardens is chosen to construct the project a start/completion date pending weather will be set with the construction contract signing. For more details regarding the process scroll down below.

Why do we charge for the initial consultation?

40 Years of Horticulture experience & education in my chosen profession is the short answer.

There are many good landscaping companies out there that offer FREE initial consultations. For many years this was also our policy. As a smaller company in a city with a limited construction season spending 1-2 hours plus travel time donating a wealth of information to numerous homeowners over the years only to see a cheap knock-off with another company or worse a do-it-yourself effort was deflating. Time that would've been better spent with family/friends or continuing work on the current project. Years ago while attending a Landscape Alberta conference a leading designer in our industry put this in perspective for me. People will pay a plumber $90 just to show up at your house to diagnose something in less than 5 minutes without question. Then you must decide to pay for repairs at a rate that can fluctuate wildly between companies. An educated professional in the landscaping industry is invaluable if a perspective client is looking to spend upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars on a project. Studies have shown a professionally landscaped home will raise the value of their property 15-20%. If a potential client can't see the value you offer justifying a nominal consultation fee FOCUS on those who do. EVERY consultation provides information and ideas that far exceed the small fee paid by serious buyers looking for professional guidance.

The Initial Consultation

Openly discuss features on your wish-list and how to best utilize the site while outlining rough estimates for your landscaping project.

During the initial consultation process it's an opportunity to get to know you and understand your landscaping vision. Many homeowners have no idea the costs associated with implementing an average let alone a complex landscaping design. Each site and project is unique and we will provide you with a wealth of information regarding product options and ideas to accommodate your budget. At this point rough estimates on key features will help establish a working budget you are comfortable with if and when we move into the designing phase.
*Towards the end of the consultation an estimate will be given to move forward with a landscape design.
**If you wish to proceed with a design the entire fee is required up front and a timeline for review will be set with a signed design contract. There are no further funds required until work has commenced on the project should you decide to approve the construction estimate and design. Please note a place in our construction schedule is not guaranteed in the calendar year should your intent be to have us complete the work. Construction contracts are secured on a "first come, first served" basis. Every effort will be made to schedule and complete work within a construction window as the seasonal climate allows. Fall projects are occasionally rolled over into the next Spring to be completed.

Landscape Design Acceptance

Moving forward with a plan

There are a few documents that are necessary to have available to continue through the design process.

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1. A copy of your Real Property Report (RPR).                                                                                                             

2. A copy of the grading plan/certificate.                                                                                                                        

3. Any drawings, sketches, articles showcasing features to be incorporated in the design. Profile plans of the homes exterior layout showing windows can be an asset if available.                                                                             

4. A list of any plants you would love to have or wish to avoid. It can be specific to colors, evergreens, no decorative grasses, etc. Provide as much detail as possible if this really matters to you in advance as it helps a great deal.

5. Other information important to discuss in advance would be: Planning a design where children and dogs will share the space. Will the project be done all at once or is this to be completed in several phases?                              

*Photographs of the site will be taken with your permission along with documenting key measurements.

**A rough preliminary sketch will be sent to you for review/approval to outline a design concept.

A detailed landscaping design will be reviewed during a follow up meeting at your residence. At this time a complete planting list, irrigation/lighting plan will be provided if applicable. If there is an element of the design that requires a change this is the opportunity to discuss and get it just right. A project estimate for the clients considering our professional build services will outline all the significant cost breakdowns associated with the features requested.

If you are comfortable with the design and estimate review the next step is signing a construction contract.

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