Unless you've just won the lottery the truth for most of us is that the private landscape oasis of our dreams just doesn’t match our budget.

Why settle for second best?
There is an approach that can get you closer to your dreams, albeit, not all at once: a multi-phase landscaping design and build implementation. In this approach you get the design done up front but you implement the project over two or three years.

Be sure to discuss your interest in having a multi-phased approach with your designer because the designer will need to take into account a number of key considerations in the phasing of the project. For example,

• You don't want to bring in heavy equipment multiple times because that would greatly increase the cost.
• Logistically and practically, some things just have to be done in a certain order.
• You want to consolidate major purchases (e.g., wood for decking and fencing, patio stones, or brick).
• You want to make sure that each phase builds on the last one and what’s completed already will not have a negative impact on or be damaged by the continuation of the project.
• You want to consider what is most important to you and your lifestyle because sometimes life happens (e.g., job lay-off, pregnancy, etc.,) and the project needs to be postponed. You should end up, if possible, with what is most important to you.
• You want to make sure that each phase of the project is a logical breaking point and won't make your landscaping look half finished. Done well, nobody will be able to tell that what’s already completed is part of an ongoing landscaping project.

If there are new trees and shrubs in the plan that aren’t going to interfere with or be disturbed by subsequent phases of the project you may want to have them put in the first year so they have time to grow and fill out throughout the implementation period.

So, let’s look at a sample implementation plan. In the pictures below you can see two logical phases. Let’s assume that they wanted to have their front yard done as well. So, the implementation could look like*:

Year 1. The deck and privacy fence. Because more than anything they want to enjoy entertaining in their back yard. Behind their deck, until phase three is done, is sod, a few existing shrubs and bushes, and whatever new ones that are decided on.

Year 2. They do their front yard, driveway and entrance.

Year 3. They add the stone patio and water feature to the back of the yard. But, there are some bigger bushes at the very back. These were be put in the first year as mentioned above.

Not every project is is suitable for a multi-phased approach so be sure to talk to your designer. For example, a project based primarily around one material and task (e.g., building a deck and fence) or laying a stone driveway, patio, and walkway) may suffer because you lose volume discounts and operational efficiencies.

You should also discuss your budget with the designer to make sure that each phase of the implementation matches what you can afford.

Breaking a project up over several years may allow you to opt to do certain tasks yourself—saving the larger or more technical parts of the construction for your design and build team. But, keep in mind, it still has to be worthwhile for your design and build a team to add you back into their schedule so you should definitely discuss this with them. You also want to make sure that you are using a reputable company because you don’t want to find out that they are not in business next year. Don't pre-pay for next year's work and be sure to get a copy of the plans for your own files just in case. Make this a deal breaker.

Any multi-phased landscaping design and build approach will usually cost a little more but may allow you to complete the project without financing. On the other hand, you may want to have a conversation with your bank about financing. Saving yourself from the interruption to your home and family life multiple times may be worth getting it all done at once.

Ultimately, you will have to weigh all of the factors: the inconvenience of the interruption, the extra cost of a phased approach, financing costs, the ability to pay for it in phases without financing, etc., to see what works for you. If there are parts that you can do yourself, it may be a great approach. The key, however, is to start with a great design that matches, as close as possible, the private landscape oasis of your dreams. 

*This project wasn't actually done in a phased aproach and is used here for illustration purposes only.

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We are proud to be the recipients of the 2012 Best in Category award for the Landscape Architect category from Homestars.com. In 2011 we won Best in Category in the Landscape Design & Build category. I personally want to thank all of our many customers who wrote reviews for us.
—Keith Evans,  President 
   Land Effects Outdoor Living Spaces Ltd. 

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If you haven't started thinking about a landscaping project for 2012 then it's probably too late. Most of the best landscape design and build companies are probably booked until the end of the season.

That said, it is a great time to start thinking about what you may want to do next year. A couple of posts ago I talked about how to get some great ideas using GOOGLE Images. All I can say now is…

GET STARTED!

Why?

Because now is a great time. Once the snow lands on our lawns and gardens it is harder to visualise how it might look with the changes you have in mind. Get the camera out and take some photos – come on, it's digital, take lots and lots of photos – so you can use them for reference on those cold, dark, snowy evenings when all you can do is imagine the luscious greenery you took for granted only a few short months before.

There's another great reason to start thinking about next year's landscaping project right now. For most designers winter is their low season. Get them to do the design work over the winter and you can get all the attention you need and be first on the construction schedule for 2013. And, you may even be able to save a nickel or two.

So, go ahead and get your kids back to school and ease into the fall. But, once you're settled, consider starting to think about next year's landscaping project. If you're anything like me, the spring will be here before you know it and you'll be saying: Where the heck did the time go?

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This is a follow-up from my last post about hiring a contractor.

Oops! I almost missed this great resource from my very own association—Landscape Ontario. Land Effects is proud to be a member of…

Click here to read what Landscape Ontario has to say about hiring a landscape contractor.

Or, you can view their PDF by clicking on the image below.

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Step 1: Preparation

Do you have a clear idea about what you want done and the scope of the project? Have you hired a contractor before to do a big job for you? Do you know your rights and responsibilities? Does the project need to have building permits? Are there any zoning issues for what you are planning? Do the tradespeople need to be licensed or certified? Is there a trade association? At the bottom I have added some online resources that will help you get prepared.

Step 2: Matching potential contractors with your project

Having a clearly defined idea of the scope of your project will help you to decide what type of contractor and/or landscape designer you feel will work best for you. In the Landscaping Industry you may run into a number of options. Some Landscape designers don't get involved in the construction and others do the design and hire sub-contractors for the build portion of the project and then manage the project. And some, like Land Effects, design and build the project from start to finish. You should make sure you know beforehand what you are looking for so you can find the types of companies that fit your needs. Once you know you can start putting a preliminary list together.

Putting together your short list

1. Ask friends and neighbors if they have used the type of contractor you need and if they can make a recommendation
2. Search on-line "review" sites like Homestars.com to find contractors that fit your profile
3. Investigate Trade Associations like Landscape Ontario

Step 3: Evaluate potential contractors
 Once you have your short list you need to narrow it down to the two or three you want to get estimates from.

Here is a list of things to consider:

• Are they certified?
• Do they sound like they know what they are talking about?
• What is their education?
• How do you feel about the communication? Do you feel comfortable? Do they listen? Are they getting you?
• Do they have good reviews, references, testimonials?
• Does their portfolio show the kind of work you want?
• How long have they been in business?
• Are they professional?
• Do they belong to the trade association?
• What warranties are there on materials?
• Who is responsible for debris removal?
• How will the site be left each day? This is especially important if you have kids.

Here are some things to be wary of.

• Who is doing the work, their crew or sub-contractors?
• Do they have insurance and Workers' Compensation?
• Are they trying to upsell you or do they have creative suggestions to keep your costs down?
• Are they wanting to do it as a "cash deal"? This could mean that they are not certified, don't want to pay their taxes or are "fly-by-night". BEWARE!
• A quote that is way below the others. It may mean that the contractor will need to cut corners or use sub-standard materials. 

I don't think that covers everything but that should give you the idea and get you started.

Step 4: Choosing the contractor and signing a contract

You should have a pretty clear idea by now which contractors you feel fit you best. And that's the right way to think about it. Although price is important, buying on price alone can be a dangerous proposition. Instead, look for the contractor you feel has the right experience and credentials, feel comfortable communicating with and for whom you have the right gut feel. 

THE ONE THING YOU MUST DO!

Get everything in writing. Click here to see a sample contract. 

There are tons of things to consider like:

• making sure the payment schedule is defined
• the drawings are attached
• you know how changes are going to be handled 

…and a lot more. 

The sample contract may be a little elaborate but reviewing it will give you a good idea about the things you want to make sure are in your contract. If in doubt, and if the project is big enough, you may want to let your lawyer take a look at it—because if the contract is that complicated then you can probably be sure that their lawyer created it to protect them.

Resources 

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