Preparing for Your Design Consultation
If you are planning to get some design help/advice - you’ll get a lot more out of the experience if you prepare a bit for your appointment.
- Site Overview. Bring photos or drawings of the area you want to landscape or re-landscape. If possible measure the area in question, and bring the measurements with you to the meeting.
- Site Conditions. Take note of the orientation of the site such as North/South, East/West facing, and other factors that affect shading/sun, wind, exposure, heat, (large buildings, existing trees that provide shade, etc).
- Irrigation/Maintenance Goals. Planning to install an irrigation system, modify your current system, hand water only, eventual no-water, pruning and shaping needs....?
- Design Goals. Bring photos of gardens or design styles you admire and would like to incorporate. Also think about how you would like to use the space: ie. entertaining, habitat building, bird-watching, relaxation, screening of undesirable views, incorporation of desirable views, kids, pets, etc.
If you don’t have time to prepare for the meeting with the designer, don’t worry - they’re professionals! They can walk you through the process during your consultation. Additionally, should you choose to hire them, the designer can provide you with comprehensive planning services (outside of the ½ hour consultation).
