How We Work: Landscape Design Process from Start to Finish

Looking to breathe new life into your landscape? Whether you’re imagining colorful planting beds surrounding a lush green lawn; a full backyard resort complete with a pool, outdoor kitchen, and spacious patio; or anything in between, we can’t wait to bring your vision to life!

We know that beginning a landscaping project can seem daunting. You might be wondering, “How do I get started?”, “What questions should I be prepared to answer in the first meeting?”, or even, “Will they work with my budget?”

At Hollandia Outdoor Living Concepts, we are committed to exceeding the expectations of every client we connect with—whatever the project, and at every stage of the project. To help you know what to expect from partnering with us, we detailed the simple steps of our landscape design and installation process:

Phase 1: Initial Appointment—Getting to Know You

After you reach out to us by phone, email, or the contact form on our website, we schedule an initial appointment to get to know you.

Our designers feel that the first appointment can be the most crucial step of the entire process.

This is our chance to learn about you, your likes and dislikes, and truly determine what you are looking to accomplish with your landscaping project. We spend as much time as needed in this phase to develop a solid understanding of your goals so that we can find the proper solutions and design the ideal space.

Our designers will ask a lot of questions during this appointment, including:

• What are you looking to change in your yard or landscape?

• What do you like or dislike or dislike about your current landscape?

• What design style do you prefer? Formal design, natural, modern, cottage-feel, etc.

  • Having photos available of what you like can be helpful at this stage. Not everyone interprets a certain design style the same way!

• What specific plants are your favorites, or what colors do you enjoy the most?

• Is more/less privacy a concern? What views on the property are most important to block or enhance?

• During what season do you want to see the landscape at its best? Is four seasons of interest a priority?

• How do you want to use the space?

• Do you have any drainage issues that need to be addressed?

• How much maintenance are you willing to do after the project, or will you contract that out?

If you only have a rough idea of what you’re looking for or don’t feel that you can answer some of these questions, don’t worry! Our experienced landscape designers can help you form the perfect vision for your space.

We’ll also ask you about your budget and if you’d like to do the project all at once or in phases. Our designers do a great job of providing ballpark figures of how much a project could cost based on the conversation in this first appointment. While we cannot provide exact figures at this stage, we like to put budget guidelines in place so that we can design a solution that will fit your budget and prevent frustration down the road.

Hopefully we establish that we are a good fit for each other in this meeting. We will then determine if there is a design fee required to move forward. Design fees vary depending on the size and scope of the project, and not all projects require a design fee. If both parties agree to move forward, we schedule a design presentation.

Phase 2: Design—Getting to Work

After we’ve met with you and determined the goals of your project, we spend time on your property to analyze the site further.

We take extensive measurements of the property lines, structure locations, existing vegetation, patios, and driveways. We also analyze sunlight conditions, soil type, drainage issues, wind conditions, and site lines. We take photos during this time as well.

We then return to the office and begin designing.

For most projects, we will create a 3D design using our 3D landscaping software. You’ll be able to see your home and existing features surrounded by the new landscape we’ve designed for you.

Seeing the landscape design in 3D allows you to visualize exactly what your future landscape will look like. This can prevent the frustration of trying to understand and visualize a 2D print, plus it enables us to make changes on the fly if needed. Overall, the 3D design will save time and money. Learn more about the benefits of 3D landscape design.

Phase 3: Design Presentation/Proposal Review

We schedule the first design review within two weeks of your first appointment with us. This appointment can take place in our office or at your location.

Together, we review the landscape design, plants, and material selection and discuss how the property will be changed. Small changes can be made to the design in the moment as needed. If more significant changes to the design are required, a second meeting will be scheduled.

We then review the actual proposal at this time. For larger projects, the first presentation may consist of a conceptual design and budget proposal. A second appointment will be set for a final design presentation and proposal.

Phase 4: Installation

The installation process is scheduled to begin after a signed agreement is received with a down payment. We begin ordering materials, scheduling subcontractors, pulling permits, and locating utility lines. We update you regularly regarding schedule updates.

During the construction, the designer will make daily site visits to ensure that the project is being installed according to the design. The designer will remain your primary contact throughout the duration of the project.

Phase 5: Maintenance

Almost every project requires some annual maintenance. We love the opportunity to maintain what we installed. We can customize a maintenance plan to keep your yard and landscape looking great so that you can enjoy your free time in your enhanced space!

At Hollandia, every step of our process is designed to set the stage for a successful outcome. We work hard to ensure that the result of your project not only lives up to your vision but exceeds your expectations. Interested in starting a landscaping project? Get in touch!