We can help you design and build the outdoor project of your dreams… without breaking your budget! Once planned, residential landscape designs can be implemented over a period of time, if desired. Throughout this portion of the website, you will learn the purpose and function of each plan, how the design process works, and the types of consultation services we offer.
Implementation Plans
Implementation plans are working drawings from which the contractor or homeowner can construct, build, and install. These drawings are necessary for projects of any size. These plans depict the location of all the proposed elements and are labeled.
- Who needs site plans: All Clients.
- Who does not need site plans: Nobody.
Site Plans
Site Plans include the following: siting the house and tagging the trees to remain or be removed, setting the elevations and locations for all the proposed elements in a clear conceptual diagram, and creating a proposed grading plan on top of the existing topography for the engineer. NOTE: Civil engineers typically complete site plans for the developer, builder, or homeowner. The builder submits the site plan to the county for permit. An engineer must stamp all site plans.
- Who needs site plans: clients who are building a house.
- Who does not need site plans: existing homeowners.
Master Plans
Master Plans are detailed versions of the site plan. The master plan helps you visualize how the proposed elements of your property will interact with each other. Textures, colors, patterns, plants, and details are not depicted on this plan. The master plan is a non-implementable phase of the design process.
- Who needs master plans: clients who are going to build a house and some existing homeowners who want a variety of new elements such as pools, decks, walkways, etc.
- Who does not need master plans: If your house already exists and you want only a few proposed elements.
Grading Plans
Grading Plans are used to control the movement of water and to create positive drainage and is used by the excavator (the person who will be moving the earth around). Positive drainage is the movement of rainwater away from any specific area of use. Creating a grading plan provides critical information for bidding and cost of construction. For example, quantity of steps, the elevation and lengths of possible retaining walls, and the amount of fill needed or the amount of soil to be removed. Of all the plans, this is the most difficult plan to conceptualize, but it is one of the most important documents because it helps to prevent unexpected and costly situations. We take the time to teach you the elementary rules in understanding the movement of water based on your proposed grades and elevations, so you will be able to read and articulate your plans.
- Who needs grading plans: clients who are going to build a house, construct a pool or have an interest in incorporating a variety of flat areas: pools, patios, play areas, etc. that will require positive drainage on top of a sloping topography.
- Who does not need grading plans: clients who are just going to install plants.
Planting Plans
Planting Plans are based on the client’s functional and aesthetic needs while accomplishing their desired theme. This is the most flexible of all the plans because there could be 20 different plants that would serve the same function in one particular area. A planting plan will help you visualize plant height, texture, and color combinations. Careful planning will also help prevent costly mistakes like root invasion and improper plant location. Though a planting plan is the last integral portion of the design process, the plant material and textures should be considered throughout each phase of the design.
- Who needs planting plans: clients who want plants.
- Who does not need planting plans: clients who do not want to plant.
Pool Plans
Pool Plans are created to let the pool contractor know the location and elevation of the pool. The pool is one element of the total design and should have the appropriate relationships with the other usable spaces, elements, and textures. Since a pool is a “people space” and a major element with a significant cost, a plan should be created to serve your aesthetic and functional needs while tying all property elements together to create a functionally-flowing environment.
- Who needs pool plans: clients who want pools now, and clients who want pools in the future but want to implement portions of the design now and install the pool later.
- Who does not need pool plans: clients who do not want a pool.