Landscape design can be done any time of the year. The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll enjoy your new space. At English Gardens, we often use the analogy, “Would you build a house without a blueprint or consulting an architect?” The design process is a crucial step in creating a nice landscape, a step too many people often overlook.

Here’s a look at our process:

Step 1:  Start a conversation

Call us at 248-874-1400 or fill out an online request form.  Within 24 to 48 hours you’ll receive a phone call from a designer ready to discuss your project.

Step 2:  Schedule an appointment

We’ll do on-site appointment to discuss what you want to accomplish, your thoughts and ideas, how much time you want to devote to maintenance, as well as your budget.

Step 3: Site Analysis

We measure the area, noting any fixed structures or plants that we’re going to incorporate into the new design. We take linear measurements and topographical / grade measurements.

Step 4: Create the plan

We use the site analysis data, customer feedback and our own experiences to create the plan.  The plan is drawn in a scale that can be easily built, usually 1/4 inch or 1/8 inch scale, because every tape measure has those markings on them. 

Step 5: Present the plan

We’ll show you our ideas and pricing within a week of our initial on-site appointment. All plans are professionally rendered to capture all the details of the project. A color rendering helps to visualize the drawing better. There should be a line hierarchy; thicker lines for permanent structures and thinner lines for less important items. Construction details help give the installation team and the home owner an understanding of how certain items need to be installed.  Drawings are created to show the best aesthetical results of the landscape three to five years down the road. A landscape should look good for about 10 years without an abundance of maintenance. A landscape can look very nice for 15-20 years if well maintained, but most will need some tweaking in years 5, 7 and 10. Perennials will need dividing, etc.  

Step 6: Schedule installation crews

This usually takes place within two to three weeks after the contract is signed.  Our crews begin work once the weather breaks, which is usually the first week of April.

Step 7: Watch the installation happen

Once we’re onsite, our average landscape project is completed within two days.

Ready to get started or get more information? Call us at 248-874-1400 or fill out a design request form today!