LIQUIDAMBAR GARDEN DESIGN

View larger Image

Image of a small curving backyard design.

View larger Image

SERVICES

How puzzling all these changes are! I'm never sure what I'm going to be, from one minute to another! I've got back to my right size: the next thing is, to get into that beautiful garden-how is that to be done, I wonder?
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Advice from a Caterpillar.

LIQUIDAMBAR Garden Design works in partnership with each homeowner to bring your dream garden to life. Together we decide which services best suit your needs, budget and time-table, and we’re happy to adapt to accommodate your situation. Typically, our services fall within these categories:

FULLY DOCUMENTED CUSTOM DESIGN for large, challenging or difficult sites: After discussing your goals, we study appropriate design options and develop a conceptual plan. With your input and approval of the design, we prepare a layout/master plan, sketches, photo images or the most appropriate combination to convey the shape, size and character of the proposed design and incorporated landscape features. The design package also includes a description of materials to be utilized, a planting plan and plant list.

PROJECT ADMINISTRATION: To ensure quality control and uninterrupted end-to-end service, we oversee the installation so your design is implemented without disrupting your busy life. Constructing a garden is time-consuming, sometimes involving carpenters, masons, plumbers, electricians and other specialists such as lighting or fountain experts. We schedule each phase and coordinate the timely delivery of skills and materials to ensure the project stays on track and within budget. We also provide follow-up monitoring and assessment.

SPEEDY GARDEN MAKE-OVER: For small gardens, curb appeal upgrades, or to create intimate spaces within larger gardens, we develop a design concept, on-site or in our studio, during one or two design consultations. (— MORE) This low-cost package includes:

layout plan drawn to scale indicating the location of built elements such as patios, walls, arbors, decks, water features, and primary plants and planting beds;
list of plants and materials;
referrals to reputable landscape contractors, gardeners and suppliers

Once completed, you can then decide whether to coordinate the installation yourself or we can implement it for you.

PLANTING PLANS: In a garden that is already functional, replacing jaded plants can have a huge impact. We provide a plan drawn to scale, locating new and existing plants and a plant list with maintenance instructions so you, your gardener or ours can refurbish the planting beds.

STAGING: For home sellers and realtors, we offer on-the-spot design consultation plus procurement of plants and features to boost the home's value and sale potential.

CONSULTATION: Seasonal assessment, trouble-shooting or brainstorming ideas can be explored during a 2-hour Design Consultation. This allows the homeowner to implement improvements at his/her own pace or elect further consultation or design services.

MAINTENANCE: To ensure your garden's long-term health and vigor, we refer you to knowledgeable, experienced gardeners, arborists or contractors.

View larger Image

FEE STRUCTURE

A well-designed landscape is an investment with two substantial rewards: it greatly enriches your day-to-day life, offering a personal oasis in which to play, relax and be nourished by the elements; and it increases your property value.

As investment, The New York Times and Wall Street Journal document that if you spend 5% of the value of your home on landscaping, and do it wisely, you will get back 150% and more of your investment.

Before signing an agreement, you receive a proposal or estimate outlining the time, services and deliverables with associated fees for each phase of the work. Fees for consultation and design - the first phase - are billed by the hour. Project Administration of the installation, the next phase, typically is billed at a percentage of total construction costs. For each phase, a deposit of 33% of the estimated project cost is required before work begins.

Small projects, such as pre-sale staging, may be charged by the hour or negotiated for a fixed fee.