So you are thinking about a large outdoor project. Maybe it’s not really that big a project, just a big project for YOU. A path through the side area, an expansion of a patio, building a low wall, fixing up that dreadful lawn – some colorful perennials by the front door. Still, it seems daunting. Perhaps you have a large property and a more complex problem – larger spaces that you want to make better use of. The thought might be to add extensive plantings with variation and seasonal color, build a hardscape seating area, add sprinklers, maybe an outdoor kitchen. And lighting! We mustn’t forget that. But how much should you spend? Where do I start? Most importantly, how do I get my pesky spouse to agree on what to do - and when?
Before you know it, you’re in lockup. Brain freeze. Dead in the water – and on to the next family emergency. That awful view from the kitchen sink window, the dirty cracked rear patio, the dead plants by the front door - those are just going to have to wait, dammit. Because this is just too complicated and any decent firm is going to want me to spend $100K just to get started. I will need to search through plant books, get plans drawn and set up extensive meetings, yeech. What a pain.
Look, we know that it’s daunting. There are a lot of moving parts. You want someone to part the clouds, hear your ideas and improve upon them. You want a licensed professional, a dependable firm that provides a decent, well thought out plan with specific pricing, a company that can make a firm commitment and yet remain flexible. You want innovative ideas and to choreograph the job in manageable pieces with each effort contributing to the whole and every phase contributing a distinct visual improvement. Materials need to be well thought out and architecturally integrated and god forbid – within a comfortable budget level. Most importantly, you want to work with someone that can see this place, this most important center of your family universe, your personal destination and refuge as a home.
Is it possible? How can you sort through a big mess like this and come up with some clear ideas? Well, there are a number of ways to approach it. Knowing that no two designers or landscape contractors will view it the same way, let’s look at it from our vantage point, as landscape architects, professional horticulturalists and professional outdoor craftsmen for the last 30+ years…and break this complex process into a 12-step program. Heck, why not? Think of it as a property detox, a renovation rehab, so to speak. Take a deep breath - and do it at your own pace - in twelve steps. Twelve steps to rehab your renovation:
1. Peruse a big picture. Look at your place from an aerial view. Use Google maps, Google Earth or Bing. This will give you a different perspective. Study the birdseye views in Bing. Look at your home from every angle.
2. Do a do-list. Make an outline. List out what you want. Include that significant other that isn’t paying attention in the process. They can make their own list worst case and get it to you, pronto! Threaten to put in a pickleball court if they don't get back to you.
3. Balance up a budget. Look at what you are comfortable investing and over how long a time. When should all the work finally be done? Five years from now? What could you have invested by then? Is adding property value important? How about specific items that you want?
4. Impact is important. You probably don’t want that first phase to be just a drain line and a pile of soil for the beds. Sure, maybe that should be included, but start by making a big visual improvement. You’ll feel like progress is being made and in turn, better about the whole process going forward.
5. Determine a designer. These days, you have all the research tools necessary to check out your selected designer and landscape company. Referrals, both good and bad - are hanging out like lavender - or last week's laundry. Check that stuff out, knowing that even a great company will have an occasional off color review. Because some people are plum crazy, right? Ensure that your professional is licensed and has years in the business – that they are insured and can show you a large portfolio of work. Set up interviews and meet perhaps three people. (Or just call us and skip that last bit.)
6. Prepare a process. Plan a methodical, staged timeline to get through it all. You want clear email communication, informative catalogs describing materials, specific pricing discussions and flexible decision making. All of that is needed and should be offered by your designer. You don’t have to have all the answers at once, but you do need a budget framework, a schedule of deliverables - and a knowledge that the folks you are dealing with aren’t relying on a sketch made on the back of a napkin, conveyed to a guy that that was hired yesterday and doesn’t speak English.
7. Plans and proposal. Deciding whether to go "design vs. design build" is a first hurdle. Many landscape designers don’t build their work. But you can ask for a firm estimate with any plan investment – and should. That is only fair because you expect to commission a plan that can realistically be implemented - and this ensures that you are not buying a creative drawing that is a pie-in-the-sky version of what could be built – if you won the Powerball. What we are saying is : hold your designer to a budget. If you don’t know your budget, then get an investment range that you can live with. A designer that can't budget is not a designer, they are just conceptualizing. Heck, you can do that.
8. Make efforts at efficiency. With your selected professional, consider the work by efficiency or by season. Certain things (excavating soil for a water feature that becomes a contour of soil in a bed, planting bare-root trees in winter, excavating and dumping ALL the stuff in one load rather than three separate loads), will gain a better efficiency or provide a best-value timeframe that will inform your thinking. And remember, when your spouse is away on that business trip might be the right time for the pickleball court installation!
9. First things first. Soils, grading and hauling often come first. Not the most exciting part, but a critical aspect to doing a good job overall. This is messy and should get done methodically and cleaned up. You can go sit in a Starbucks, so you dont have to see it.
10. Hardscape isn’t that hard. Paving, patio and paths don’t have to be that complicated and should be done early. We give you catalogs with lots of choices for hardscape materials. Think of a patio paver like a rug. You can change a selection just as easily, often without adding cost. Don’t sweat what the paving is yet or which material. The most important thing is square footage. You should get your hard surfaces done in the most architecturally integrated material at the best value that you can, FIRST. Believe me, you can find ways to upgrade stuff later, (if the designer starts showing you a large Chihuly sculpture for the back corner, yes, you are crossing the Rubicon). So don’t do any optional new item until it’s clear that you can do it comfortably. Even then it may not be a good idea. We can always show you how to save on the overall effort.
11. Prevent plant paralysis. Horticulture is daunting. Just knowing the varieties of hydrangea can take all afternoon, so don’t freak out. (Don’t get us started on Peony, btw.) Just plan on getting ENOUGH plant material to do the bed infill, screening, accenting or foundation planting that is needed. Plant lists should be “specifically vague” - that is, from a firm list – but open to altering as needed and as you learn more. With professional hort staff offering up a consultation that allows you to “see the plants before you start”, the final plant selection is the fun part.
12. Opt for options. With a project that just cannot be done on budget despite all your best efforts, ask that any necessary items be broken into manageable options – bite sized pieces that might enable you to add them later. This will help you to get comfortable with those items on a wish list – and keep those items within reach. It may be something that feels essential, like irrigation or lighting. Or it may feel like desirable “want”, such as a garden sculptural accent, art piece or large decorative pot.
When you meet your designer, be sure that they are going to be the true ‘project manager’. Can the person handle it? Do they know suppliers, modes of construction and unit prices for those unknown additional items? Something is going to go wrong – you can almost be sure of it. It is construction after all – and the company should be able to show that they take responsibility, facilitate a correction and have performed warranty work.
So, first things first. Good luck to you and godspeed - you're on the road to recovery!
