FAQs

1. Why spend money on a Landscape Plan? Some landscapers do designs for free.

Landscaping typically will cost 5% to 15% of the purchase price of your home, totaling tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Spending this amount of money without a plan is like going on a trip, with no map and no destination in mind. You may end up somewhere you like, but it is quite unlikely, and how will you know when you get there? Landscape design and planning is the most important, and often most neglected, part of a landscaping project. "Free" designs can be very costly, the result of spending inadequate time - listening to you, considering alternatives, and performing detailed dimensioning and drawing. Ask your landscape designer to demonstrate their design ability by showing you completed drawings that demonstrate creativity, careful planning, and detail.

2. What level of Design Service do I need? Verbal Consultation, Concept Design, or Master Plan?

During our initial Verbal Consultation, we can determine which design service is appropriate. Concept Designs are recommended if you want some alternatives for a smaller scale project, like a typical suburban front yard or back yard. If you need detailed construction drawings, or if the project of your dreams is your project is large and technically complex, then a Master Plan is required.

3. Can I do the work in stages if I can't afford it all at one time? What should be done first?

Phased implementation is a great way to build your landscape, especially for larger and more expensive projects. Earthscape is happy to phase your project, prioritizing immediate needs first, and deferring less critical items for later years. A critical issue in phasing a project is minimizing rework, so we'll design the phases such that work done early on doesn't have to be redone later.

4. When is the best time to contact Earthscape and start the design process?

The reality of the landscape business in northern climates means that we've got nine months to do the hard work, and three months to rest up for next season. We guarantee that we'll have time to dedicate to your design between December and March, our winter slowdown period. Once the snow melts, we're out building the designs we worked on all winter, and we don't want you to have to wait until next year for us to be available. We encourage all our clients to work with us during the winter months completing the landscape design, and be ready to build for spring.

5. Does Earthscape give free estimates?

Yes, and no. Confusing, aren't we? If you have complete For Construction drawings properly dimensioned and to scale, then we will provide a fixed price quotation, at no charge. If you have no drawings, or only a rough sketch, then we firmly believe it is in your best interest to finalize a design, before trying to provide firm quotations.

6. Why isn't there just one price for Master Plans?

The varying complexity of landscapes makes it impossible to set one price for a Master Plan. Large, technically involved sites naturally take more effort to work through than simpler sites. After completing a Verbal Consultation or Concept Design, and gaining an understanding of the complexity of your requirements, Earthscape will give you a fixed price on a Master Plan that meets your needs.

7. Why does Earthscape produce colour Perspective and Plan view drawings? Most landscape firms draw single line drawings in black and white.

Perspective drawings represent the landscape the way it will appear when complete. Everyone - you the client, and Earthscape the landscape professional - can better envision your property the way it will appear using these drawings. Browse through some of our online designs, and compare these images with typical single line drawings. Which helps you better imagine the completed landscape?

8. Can I hire Earthscape to perform the design, and then do the work myself?

We've done many projects working co-operatively with clients. For instance, you may be comfortable with and enjoy planting, but want to leave us to do the hardscape (brick, stone, wood features). We have also worked with clients who want to "learn on the job" - laying an interlocking stone patio with us for example. As a design/build firm, Earthscape always plays a significant role in the implementation. We'd like to be there solving the technically challenging parts of your project, and ensuring the final result is what you imagined.