The First Visit

• Begins with a free consultation that will determine family needs, your ideas, likes and dislikes and of course your budget.
  
  
• During our initial consultation we will discuss the fee for our services which is based wholly on the complexity and size of your project.
  
  
• If you belong to a Homeowners Association we can assist you in navigating through the process of securing the Association’s Architectural Committee approval for your landscape design.

The Second Visit

• Measurements will be taken to determine the property lines and footprint of your home on the design.
  
  
• The location of existing hardscape features, plant materials or other elements that you may want to include or remove from your landscape setting will be documented at this time.
  
  
• Photographs will be taken from various locations of your property to assist in the design process.

The Third Visit

• Will be to present a preliminary drawing which will reflect the concepts that were previously discussed.
  
  
• At this time you may make additions or changes that more closely portray your final landscape design.

The Fourth Visit

• On this visit you will be given three sets of your final landscape plans which we consider to be diagrammatic and “Contractor ready”.
  
  
• Each set will include a planting and hardscape sheet showing location of patios, walkways, garden walls, and water features. The names (botanical and common) of all the plant materials and their location and sizes at maturity.
  
  
• A drainage sheet showing the location of catch basins and drain lines as well as grading and mound building information.
  
  
• An irrigation sheet indicating valve, sprinkler and drip irrigation line locations and the placement of lawn sprinkler heads.
  
  
• Also included is a set of General notes with recommendations for materials to be used and directives for proper installation specific to your design. Additional notes and legends are placed on the appropriate sheets for landscape lighting, gas and electric provisions, or any other special conditions your landscape design may require.

Having The Work Done by Someone Else

• In your best interest a licensed landscape contractor should be your installer of choice. You can find one yourself through the phone book or in the classified section of your newspaper or even go “online”. In any case you should know if the contractor is licensed, bonded and insured. While this may establish legitimacy it does not always guarantee character or performance. As part of our service Nature’s Image can assist you in finding a contractor who has both
  
  
• We can recommend local contractors that we know through experience, having worked with them on previous projects, that will not only see your project through in a timely manner, but guarantee your satisfaction. In addition, they may rebate all or part of your design fee if they are awarded the contract.
  
  
• Finally, we will provide you with important information on what to look for in a proposal and a contract as well as your rights as a homeowner under The Contractor’s Lien Law.

Doing The Work Yourself

• Beginning with The Design Process you will receive three sets of your final landscape drawings. Two copies of our Landscape Installation Guidelines which applies a project management approach for installation of all the phases involved and includes installation instructions and diagrams for the materials used. Nature’s Image can also provide all the quality materials for your project on an as needed basis, saving you time and money.
  
  
• To further assist you Nature’s Image is available by appointment for on site consultations charged at an hourly rate.

Client Consultation

• Nature’s Image will meet with your client and prepare a landscape design based on our standard design process.
  
  
• We will establish a budget and design the landscape based on the prices you have set up for materials and labor as well as the resources you have for installation.

Contractor Consultation

• Once a final plan has been prepared we will meet with you to review the plan and answer any questions or concerns you may have prior to presenting them to your client.
  
  

Design Fee Payment

• The landscape design fee can either be paid by you or the client. If the client pays for the plans they become the property of the client. If you pay for the plans they become your property.