SITE RENOVATION
Frequently Asked Questions
We are unsure about your services and would like to meet you on-site before we move forward. Can you meet us to do a quick analysis of or property and provide some basic recommendations?
Yes. Simply fill out our contact form and we will get back to right away to schedule a free on-site consultation. We have years of experience assessing site renovation projects, and can quickly generate ideas or bring any potential problems to your attention. We can also give you a rough estimate of what you can expect the project to cost.
We received an insurance settlement or a construction defects settlement due to faulty construction. Can you design a solution to fix our drainage and grading problems?
We have years of experience working with property owners to design solutions to fix drainage problems, faulty retaining walls, repairing or removing leaky water features or pools, fixing roof drainage problems, etc.
What is the difference between Outdoor Design Group and a landscape contractor or a garden center?
Our friends the landscape contractors and garden centers are really in the business of selling installation services and materials, even if they say they do design. They typically charge a very small design fee and do not want to spend much time or effort on the design.
We are professional Landscape Architects who only do design. Our design fees are the same no matter how small or large your budget is for the overall project. Our job is to spend a lot of time with you carefully planning a design that meets your expectations, while also meeting your budget. After the design is done, we can put the plans out for competitive bids, help select the right contractor, and then provide oversight of the installation on your behalf.
How much does a design cost and how do you charge for your services?
Each project and Client are unique, so the cost for our services varies depending on your individual project. After a free consultation to understand what your needs are, we will provide a proposal based on your requirements and budget.
Can you attend board meetings and present design solutions to our leadership?
As professional Landscape Architects, this is one of the key advantages that we bring to the table. We are good communicators, and have plenty of experience presenting designs and ideas to decision makers. We can also prepare color graphics that are easy to read and understand.
Can you provide a master plan that we can implement over time as funds become available?
Yes, this is one of our specialties. We realize that not everyone has the budget or patience to do it all at once. A master plan is a great way to make improvements over time.
Can you tell us how much water and money we would save by doing a landscape renovation?
Yes. We can do an instant analysis to give you a rough idea of how much water and money you could save. As we get into more detail on the design we can tell you exactly what your savings will be by doing a landscape renovation. We can also look at cost savings and payback over time.
Do you provide a free estimate?
Yes! We always provide a free consultation and a free proposal, with no obligations. Simply fill out our contact form and we will get back to right away to schedule a consultation.
We have an older existing landscaping that we want to renovate. Can you plan a renovation that keeps some existing features and replaces others?
Yes! This is one of our specialty areas. We love to work with existing mature trees and landscaping, or to totally transform an outdated landscape into something beautiful.
What is a landscape architect?
Landscape Architects are professionally licensed to practice, similarly to an Engineer or an Architect. To call oneself a Landscape Architect and to practice the field, you must have a degree in Landscape Architecture from an accredited university, and then pass a strenuous written examination.
In most cases, laws require that a licensed Landscape Architect be included on the project design team for the design of new buildings, parks, streetscape, communities, homes, etc. For more information, read “What Does a Landscape Architect Do“.
Can you design irrigation systems and sprinklers?
Yes, we can design both new systems and upgrades. We also specialize in re-designing landscaping and irrigation to save a lot of water.
Can you prepare landscape plans for approval from the City or State?
This is another key advantage that we have over others in the industry. As Landscape Architects, we are experienced at submitting plans to various Cities, States, Counties, and local government agencies for approval. We know this process well and can help guide the project along as quickly and painlessly as possible.
Can you recommend a contractor to do the installation?
Over the years we have developed a great network of contractors that we trust, and are happy to refer them to you to do the installation of our designs. Because we prepare professional plans we can send them out for competitive bids to get you the best price on the installation.
Can you design items that are not landscaping, such as signage, retaining walls, and parking lots?
As professional Landscape Architects we have experience with all of these items and more. Many of these items require detailed drawings and special permits – we have experience dealing with all of these issues, and can design the entire project to fit together perfectly.
How do we get started and what are the first steps?
Simply fill out our short contact form and we will get back to you right away to schedule a consultation. After the consultation we will provide you with a customized proposal to fit your requirements.