How long does the process take? What is involved?
This is a difficult question to answer, because there are so many variables that can affect the amount of time it takes for a designer to conduct the design process and arrive at a plan of attack for developing the landscape. Such variables can include the intended size, scope and complexity of the project; the quality of input from the client; the involvement and commitment of the client; unusual site problems; local or regional restrictions and ordinances; quality of communication between designer and client; etc. Because of all these variables, Wayside charges for its design / consultation services by the hour (see LANDSCAPE DESIGN / CONSULTATION CONTRACT for details).
Basically, not much can be accomplished in less than eight to ten hours and even this would be unusually fast. Between sixteen and twenty-four hours of design time would be more typical for our average projects. We feel so strongly about the importance of the design process in the development of a landscape that we rebate our design fees when we complete the job (see LANDSCAPE DESIGN / CONSULTATION CONTRACT for details). This is a win-win situation for the customer and us, and is done to remove the concern over design fees from the decision whether or not to employ a professional landscape designer.
The normal procedure and course of events at Wayside is for the designer to accumulate as much information from the client as possible before visiting the site. Such information would include a completed landscape design questionnaire (see LANDSCAPE DESIGN QUESTIONNAIRE) and relevant information about the site, such as surveys, house plans, neighborhood restrictions, etc. The designer would then visit the site with the purpose of interviewing the client and examining the proposed work area. During this initial site visit, the designer may begin collecting site data, measurements, and visual images (i.e., photographs), or he/she may want to come back and do this at a later date, depending upon the circumstances. Sometimes it is best to allow some time for assimilation of first impressions and new information before proceeding. Eventually, the client is thoroughly interviewed as to their needs and wants, and the site is thoroughly measured and photographed. This usually takes several meetings with the client and several site visits to be thorough. Rushing the design process can have negative consequences; it is prudent to emphasize accuracy and completeness rather than speed. Once the site has been thoroughly analyzed, a base map is produced. The base map is simply an accurate recording of all, or at least the most important, details of the site. Once the base map is produced, it is used in conjunction with all other previously gathered information to begin developing preliminary drawings. We usually prepare two or three preliminary drawings for the customer using the same design theory; this gives them many options, all of which will work together, so they can pick and choose. The preliminary drawings are then presented to the clients for their input. Revisions, if necessary, are made, and a final plan is produced incorporating the results of all the efforts made to-date. Specifications for completing the project are produced. At Wayside, we usually include the specifications in our proposal for doing the job. Our proposal also includes our price, or estimate, for doing the job.
Although the total amount of billable design time for a project may be the equivalent of several days of work, it is rarely spent in a continuous fashion. The design work for a project can take weeks, or even months, to complete. This is generally how long it takes for proper collection, coordination, and assimilation of multifaceted information originating from many different sources.
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