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Start Your Landscape Renovation Right With a Master Plan
Landscape design professionals share why putting a plan in place before you dig is key to a successful outcome
A successful landscape design starts with a detailed and well-thought-out plan. While it can be tempting to dive right in to your renovation, investing the time and budget upfront to map out your entire space will help ensure a cohesive, long-lasting design — and often save time and money in the process. Read on to learn from professionals on Houzz about the details of a landscape master plan, the benefits of getting one and other considerations to make sure you get the landscape you want.
Gilmore Landscape Architecture
The Benefits of Having a Landscape Master Plan
A master plan gives you both a starting point and blueprint for later decisions. “I would always recommend creating a master plan over designing just one area at a time,” Isara Ongwiseth of FormLA Landscaping says. “Whether you quickly renovate or slowly evolve your garden, a master plan will help ensure your garden reaches aesthetic and ecological harmony.”
“A master plan ensures a common design theme or style throughout the property,” True says. It also gives you a road map to refer to as you go, he adds, which is especially helpful if you’re tackling the project in stages or phases.
A master plan has practical implementations beyond determining your landscape’s future design. “It usually keeps you from having to redo work,” True says, as you’re able to map out a logical design and construction schedule. You can also budget for expenses both now and in the future. Depending on the scope of work, a master plan may also be required to obtain permits.
The Benefits of Having a Landscape Master Plan
A master plan gives you both a starting point and blueprint for later decisions. “I would always recommend creating a master plan over designing just one area at a time,” Isara Ongwiseth of FormLA Landscaping says. “Whether you quickly renovate or slowly evolve your garden, a master plan will help ensure your garden reaches aesthetic and ecological harmony.”
“A master plan ensures a common design theme or style throughout the property,” True says. It also gives you a road map to refer to as you go, he adds, which is especially helpful if you’re tackling the project in stages or phases.
A master plan has practical implementations beyond determining your landscape’s future design. “It usually keeps you from having to redo work,” True says, as you’re able to map out a logical design and construction schedule. You can also budget for expenses both now and in the future. Depending on the scope of work, a master plan may also be required to obtain permits.
Spring Greenworks
Who Creates It?
Both landscape architects and landscape designers can create a detailed master plan for your space. A landscape architect is trained and licensed to provide plans for all aspects of landscape design. You may be required to use their services for projects that include grading, drainage, retaining walls or other structural elements.
Landscape designers are not licensed, although they may have similar or the same training as a landscape architect. They also might specialize in plant choices as well as design.
While landscape contractors focus on the landscape’s building and installation, many can also help you with design decisions. They may have a designer on staff or be able to provide recommendations for landscape architects and designers that would be a good match for you.
Hire a local landscape design pro on Houzz
Who Creates It?
Both landscape architects and landscape designers can create a detailed master plan for your space. A landscape architect is trained and licensed to provide plans for all aspects of landscape design. You may be required to use their services for projects that include grading, drainage, retaining walls or other structural elements.
Landscape designers are not licensed, although they may have similar or the same training as a landscape architect. They also might specialize in plant choices as well as design.
While landscape contractors focus on the landscape’s building and installation, many can also help you with design decisions. They may have a designer on staff or be able to provide recommendations for landscape architects and designers that would be a good match for you.
Hire a local landscape design pro on Houzz
Hamilton Cody Garden Design
How Much Does One Cost?
Costs for a master plan vary greatly, depending on your location, the pro’s expertise and the project’s complexity. A relatively simple design may be several hundred dollars. A full-scale landscape design can cost well over $1,000.
Where to Invest Your Budget in a Landscape Renovation
How Much Does One Cost?
Costs for a master plan vary greatly, depending on your location, the pro’s expertise and the project’s complexity. A relatively simple design may be several hundred dollars. A full-scale landscape design can cost well over $1,000.
Where to Invest Your Budget in a Landscape Renovation
SUBU Design Architecture
Start With a Landscape Design Consultation
Once you’ve found a pro you think you’d like to work with, schedule a landscape design consultation. This gives both you and the pro the chance to meet, review your yard’s current conditions and decide if you want to move forward on the project together.
Before you meet, think about what you want for your finished landscape. Include both practical considerations and features you would love to include if possible. “There really isn’t too much information a homeowner can provide to the design team,” True says. “The more information, the better.”
What to Expect From a Landscape Design Consultation
Start With a Landscape Design Consultation
Once you’ve found a pro you think you’d like to work with, schedule a landscape design consultation. This gives both you and the pro the chance to meet, review your yard’s current conditions and decide if you want to move forward on the project together.
Before you meet, think about what you want for your finished landscape. Include both practical considerations and features you would love to include if possible. “There really isn’t too much information a homeowner can provide to the design team,” True says. “The more information, the better.”
What to Expect From a Landscape Design Consultation
Riverside Custom Hardscapes
Also share what your current budget is. You don’t need a specific dollar amount, but knowing a realistic range allows the pro to share ideas and proposals that are possible within your budget.
True recommends having copies of a property plan or survey, or any house plans if possible. The pro will likely be doing some research on his or her own about your neighborhood. “Before an initial consultation, we like to have the homeowners’ address so we can get a sense of the property and any relevant neighboring conditions,” Ongwiseth says.
Pro tip: Ideally, everyone who will decide on the final design should attend the first meeting. The pros will be able to hear from all those making decisions and everyone will be able to see if the fit seems right.
Also share what your current budget is. You don’t need a specific dollar amount, but knowing a realistic range allows the pro to share ideas and proposals that are possible within your budget.
True recommends having copies of a property plan or survey, or any house plans if possible. The pro will likely be doing some research on his or her own about your neighborhood. “Before an initial consultation, we like to have the homeowners’ address so we can get a sense of the property and any relevant neighboring conditions,” Ongwiseth says.
Pro tip: Ideally, everyone who will decide on the final design should attend the first meeting. The pros will be able to hear from all those making decisions and everyone will be able to see if the fit seems right.
FormLA Landscaping
The Planning Process
After the parties choose to move forward on the project, the designer then puts ideas to paper. This “first look,” which will include preliminary details of the final design, is the chance for everyone to weigh in on what they like as well as what isn’t working.
Understand Your Site Plan for a Better Landscape Design
The Planning Process
After the parties choose to move forward on the project, the designer then puts ideas to paper. This “first look,” which will include preliminary details of the final design, is the chance for everyone to weigh in on what they like as well as what isn’t working.
Understand Your Site Plan for a Better Landscape Design
Arnold Masonry & Landscape
Take this time to study the plan, ask questions and make changes. Be sure you understand the different elements showcased. Feel free to ask about even minor details such as patio size, walkway width or how the plants will look now versus when they mature.
The revision process may take some time until everyone is satisfied, so don’t be discouraged if it feels like things aren’t moving forward. “Revisions are a natural part of the most successful projects,” True says. “We will revise a project to bring the overall space as close to the homeowners’ vision as we can.”
Take this time to study the plan, ask questions and make changes. Be sure you understand the different elements showcased. Feel free to ask about even minor details such as patio size, walkway width or how the plants will look now versus when they mature.
The revision process may take some time until everyone is satisfied, so don’t be discouraged if it feels like things aren’t moving forward. “Revisions are a natural part of the most successful projects,” True says. “We will revise a project to bring the overall space as close to the homeowners’ vision as we can.”
Meridith Baer Home
Next Steps
When your plan is finalized, it’s time to turn it into reality. Ongwiseth says timelines depend on the clients and the complexity of the project. “Will engineers and arborists need to be engaged, for example,” Ongwiseth says, adding that, in all cases, the pro should clarify the timeline, define a few key benchmarks and then hit those deadlines.
Decide if you want to do the project all at once or in phases. This may be driven by your schedule, budget or personal preference. Landscaper Scott Arnold recommends, whenever possible, that clients move forward with the entire project at once. “You’ll have it finished, plus the cost of materials is likely to rise in the future,” he says.
If you’re looking at a phased landscape project, a good starting point is to add any planned trees or large ornamental shrubs that won’t be affected by future work. They’ll have time to mature while you’re waiting on the rest of the installation. Other projects to tackle early on might include solving drainage issues, adding retaining walls or installing a path, patio or deck.
10 Steps to Help You Get Ready for Landscape Construction
Next Steps
When your plan is finalized, it’s time to turn it into reality. Ongwiseth says timelines depend on the clients and the complexity of the project. “Will engineers and arborists need to be engaged, for example,” Ongwiseth says, adding that, in all cases, the pro should clarify the timeline, define a few key benchmarks and then hit those deadlines.
Decide if you want to do the project all at once or in phases. This may be driven by your schedule, budget or personal preference. Landscaper Scott Arnold recommends, whenever possible, that clients move forward with the entire project at once. “You’ll have it finished, plus the cost of materials is likely to rise in the future,” he says.
If you’re looking at a phased landscape project, a good starting point is to add any planned trees or large ornamental shrubs that won’t be affected by future work. They’ll have time to mature while you’re waiting on the rest of the installation. Other projects to tackle early on might include solving drainage issues, adding retaining walls or installing a path, patio or deck.
10 Steps to Help You Get Ready for Landscape Construction
Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors
Above all, don’t consider your master plan etched in stone. Landscapes are, by their very nature, always changing as plants grow and fill in. The same is true of outside factors that affect your space. A once-sunny spot may become a shady retreat as trees mature or structures are added around you.
Your wish list may also change. A play area may become a vegetable garden rather than a pool. Your entertaining area may become larger than expected or your front yard may evolve from a plant-filled space into a welcoming front courtyard where you can interact with your neighbors. A well-designed master plan will let you adapt to these changes while still respecting the overall look and feel of your landscape.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
Above all, don’t consider your master plan etched in stone. Landscapes are, by their very nature, always changing as plants grow and fill in. The same is true of outside factors that affect your space. A once-sunny spot may become a shady retreat as trees mature or structures are added around you.
Your wish list may also change. A play area may become a vegetable garden rather than a pool. Your entertaining area may become larger than expected or your front yard may evolve from a plant-filled space into a welcoming front courtyard where you can interact with your neighbors. A well-designed master plan will let you adapt to these changes while still respecting the overall look and feel of your landscape.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape design stories
Browse thousands of landscape photos
Find a landscape architect or designer
Shop for your outdoor space
What Is a Landscape Master Plan?
A landscape master plan, also called a site plan, is a detailed scaled drawing that shows everything in a landscape’s overall design. It includes the site’s orientation and conditions, from sun and wind patterns to soil, drainage and slope issues. The plan also contains the design’s hardscape and structural elements — with specified materials for each — along with the planting plan and house location. “The master plan shows the specifics of solid design principles married to the aesthetic and function of the space,” says Jeff True of Hursthouse Landscape Architects and Contractors.
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