Frequently Asked Questions
Do you install?
YesPlease.GARDEN is a landscape design-led practice, not a licensed installer.
Some clients hire us to stay involved with the project during installation; however, this is optional and decided after the design is complete.
Many clients move from design into construction with licensed local contractors we know and trust, while others build with their own installer. Our role is to create a clear, coordinated design that’s ready to be built.
Can I use my own installer?
Yes.
Many clients already have a contractor they trust. Our design documents are created so qualified installers can price and build what’s on the page — without guesswork.
If helpful, we can coordinate directly with your installer to align scope, sequencing, and intent before construction begins.
Do I need a contractor before I start?
No.
In most cases, design comes first. The goal is to answer the big questions — layout, scale, structure, and materials — before anyone is asked to price or build.
Once the design is clear, it’s much easier to identify the right contractor for the scope and move forward with confidence.
What does landscape design typically cost?
Design fees are based on the scope of work and the level of detail needed to create a build-ready plan. We outline the design range early so expectations are clear.
What happens after design?
Once the design is complete, there’s a natural fork in the road.
Some clients take the plans and move directly into construction with their installer. Others choose to keep us involved for Contractor Alignment and Installation Design Oversight during the build.
Either way, the design documents provide a clear path forward, with options for the level of support that fits your project.
What if we’ve already talked to contractors but something doesn’t feel right?
Usually, it means the project hasn’t been fully designed yet.
Contractors can outline big moves — where a patio might go or how a kitchen could shift — but without a design, it’s hard to evaluate how everything fits together. Circulation, scale, material relationships, and adjacencies often remain unresolved.
This is often when a contractor says, “We need a designer to sort this out so we can build it.” A clear design allows everyone to see what’s being built, where it goes, and how the pieces relate.
Our role is to resolve layout and flow, define scope, and document decisions so costing and construction can move forward cleanly.
What if we don’t know exactly what we want yet?
That’s normal.
Most projects begin with a few goals and a sense that the space isn’t working. The design process is how those ideas are tested and organized into a clear plan.
We focus first on layout, structure, and how the space will be used. Once those decisions are in place, material and feature choices become more straightforward.
You don’t need a fully formed vision to begin. The design process is where clarity is built.
What if we already know what we want — do we still need a designer?
Sometimes yes; sometimes no.
If your contractor has provided drawings that fully resolve layout, scale, materials, and scope — and you’re comfortable moving forward — additional design may not add much value.
In many cases, design helps refine the plan and create a single, coordinated scope that multiple installers can price accurately. That often leads to clearer comparisons and fewer surprises during construction.
The best next step is to tell us about your project. We’ll give you an honest answer about whether design support would be useful, or if what you already have may be sufficient.
Is my project the right size or type for YesPlease.GARDEN?
YesPlease.GARDEN is a good fit for projects where layout, coordination, and long-term planning matter.
That typically includes spaces with multiple elements — patios, paths, planting, structures, pools, or grading — where decisions affect one another.
Simple, like-for-like replacements may not require a full design process. If that’s the case, we’ll say so early.
A brief conversation is usually enough to determine fit.
Can we design in phases or start with just the backyard?
Yes. Many projects are designed in phases.
Even when work will happen in stages, we start by looking at the full property. That big-picture view helps ensure early decisions don’t limit future options or create rework later.
From there, we can define a clear first phase — often the backyard or primary living area — and design it in a way that supports what comes next.
Phasing works best when the overall plan is clear from the start.
What does the landscape design process look like, and what do we receive?
The process starts with a site visit and a conversation about how you want to use the space and what isn’t working today.
From there, we develop the layout and overall structure of the project, testing scale, placement, and relationships between elements. You’ll review the design in 3D so the major decisions can be confirmed before details are finalized.
The final deliverable is a SpecBook — a coordinated set of plans, elevations, materials, written scope, and quantities — organized to be clear, buildable, and ready for contractor costing and construction.
Why use 3D landscape design instead of a 2D plan view?
3D design shows how a landscape actually works in real space.
It allows you to see layout, scale, and relationships between elements in context with your house, neighboring homes, and the site itself. That clarity helps resolve key decisions early and reduces revisions during construction.
How long does the landscape design process take?
Most landscape design projects take a few weeks from kickoff to completed documents.
The timeline depends on project scope, complexity, and how decisions come together during review. Some projects move through layout quickly; others require more iteration to resolve key questions.
We outline a general timeline with you at the start so expectations are clear.
Why work with a local landscape designer instead of an online service or contractor-led design?
Local design means working with someone who understands the conditions your project is built in — climate, soil, access, neighborhood context, and local construction norms.
Online design services can be useful for inspiration, but they’re limited when a project needs to respond to real grades, measured conditions, and local requirements. Contractor-led design can work well for contained or like-for-like projects, but most contractors prefer that major layout and planning decisions are resolved before construction begins.
A local designer helps translate ideas into a clear, site-specific plan that installers can build efficiently.
How do HOA and city rules affect what we can build?
HOA guidelines and local regulations can influence layout, placement, materials, drainage, lighting, and site coverage.
These requirements don’t usually dictate design, but they do shape what’s feasible and how projects are documented. Early awareness helps avoid redesigns, delays, or approval issues later.
When applicable, we review available guidelines during the design process and factor them into the plan.
How does a landscape designer work with contractors and trades?
The designer’s role is to define the plan before construction begins.
Through clear drawings, written scope, and material specifications, the design establishes a shared reference point for installers and trades. This allows contractors to price accurately, coordinate their work, and build what’s been approved.
Depending on the project, the designer may also support contractor alignment before construction or provide design oversight during key phases. The level of involvement is defined up front.