A professional landscape designer offers expertise, creativity, and a tailored approach to your project. The process is focused on creating a space that suits your lifestyle while also helping you navigate material choices, budgeting, and the overall quality of workmanship. A designer also considers how each choice impacts your property’s long-term value, offering guidance on when to customize for your own enjoyment and when to think about resale potential.
Here’s what you can expect from YesPlease.GARDEN as part of your design process…
- A design that belongs to you.
- A rendering that reflects how you want to live in your space.
- Thoughtful wayfinding and space planning that enhances flow and function.
- A collaborative approach: We listen, ask questions, and refine the design to match your vision.
- HOA support (if needed) We provide design PDFs for homeowners to submit with the HOA landscape approval application.
- Creative problem-solving for layout challenges and integrating features like pools, pergolas, kitchens, fire elements, and water features.
- Material selection guidance to balance aesthetics, durability, and budget.
- Expert plant recommendations tailored to California’s climate, with a focus on native species.
- A clear roadmap of your project, outlining the trades involved and what to expect.
- A comprehensive design brief—including plan views, graphic renderings, material selections, plant palettes, irrigation plans, and feature details—to clearly communicate your vision to potential installers.
- Installer recommendations or meetings with installers of your choosing.
- Site walkthrough coordination to ensure accuracy before work begins.
- Installation design oversight (when it makes sense) to support during construction and landscape installation.
Some landscape installation companies offer a free design if you commit to working with them. This can be a good fit if you already know exactly what you want, but there are trade-offs to consider:
It’s a closing tool.
These free designs are meant to move you quickly into a commitment before you can consider other options.
- Limited customization. Free designs often include the company’s standard features rather than a fully personalized plan.
- Varied quality. Some are hand-drawn quickly, while others may be nicely drafted—but the level of detail can vary significantly.
- Ownership restrictions. Many of these designs are copyrighted to the installer, meaning they belong to the company, not you.
- Tied to their pricing and process. You must install with them (or their subcontractors) at their rates.
- No flexibility. If you decide not to proceed with that company, you often lose access to the design and have to start over—frustrating and time-consuming.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but we recommend talking to us before committing to a “free” design. These designs are often created by a salesperson rather than a dedicated designer and may be limited to a specific set of products and vendors.
We have access to a wide range of landscape solutions, from smart, off-the-shelf prefab products to fully-custom builds by skilled local tradespeople. This ensures the best fit for your project’s needs, style, and budget.
Most homeowners prefer the freedom to design their ideal outdoor space first and then choose the best team to build it. An independent (usually in 3D) design gives you control, flexibility, and the ability to compare installation bids.
That said, we’ll also tell you when not to hire us. If an installation company can meet your needs without a full design, we’ll say so—we focus on meaningful projects with clients who are excited about their vision and where we can add real value.
- Curious about what’s possible? Check out our … see our YesPlease.GARDEN Portfolio for some of our favorite client projects.
