Please note: Currently, Eileen is available for consultations, not full custom design.
Custom landscape designs are plans that are suited to your particular site and ecosystem. Drawn from a bird’s-eye view (and other perspectives, if needed), they are suitable for implementation by homeowners or professionals. To help you decide what you want (and don’t want) in your yard, take a peek at this questionnaire.
The Custom Design Process:
- Initial consultation: This first appointment, usually about an hour in length, serves to survey your site, discuss your goals and concerns, and offer ideas and suggestions. Following the consultation, a proposal/contract with estimated fees is prepared and submitted to you. Fees depend on the size of the property and the level of detail desired.
- Preparation: After the contract is signed and a 50% retainer is submitted, one or two additional visits may take place to measure and photograph the site, and possibly meet with you again. A scaled base map (that includes permanent features such as hardscape, as well as plants and other elements to be retained) is then prepared to facilitate subsequent drawings.
- Preliminary plan(s): Depending on the scope of the project, one or two preliminary plans are typically prepared. These plans are drawn to scale, but are not greatly detailed—they show the basic features, such as walkways, planted areas, and existing and proposed elements. If two preliminary plans are prepared for you, you will be asked to choose (at your convenience) one or the other, or we can discuss ways that the two may be combined into a plan that will serve your needs best. Changes are easy at this
point. - Planting plan: Following preliminary plan approval, the last phase results in the production of a final planting plan, or master plan. All elements and plants are labeled and step-by-step implementation instructions are included.
- What you get: Two copies of the planting plan (or an electronic version, whichever you prefer); a shopping list; step-by-step implementation instructions and soil care recommendations; specific plant care instructions to ensure that your garden thrives. Plus, a free copy of my book, Real Gardens Grow Natives: Design, Plant, and Enjoy a Healthy Northwest Garden.
- Follow-up is free if under 20 minutes.
Fee: Design fees vary, depending on the level of detail and number of meetings needed, and the extent of travel. Estimates may be possible over the phone, although in-person visits are always best. Ten-minute estimate appointments may be possible in NE Portland at no charge. Please get in touch for more information.
Please note: Second Nature Garden Design does not install landscape designs, produce precise working drawings for elements such as custom arbors, water features or retaining walls, or plan complex irrigation systems. However, other professionals can be suggested for hire separately.