HOW I WORK
INITIAL CONSULTATION
This consultation can be used to help you solve a garden problem or to establish whether you’d be best served with a design. If you need a design, we’ll use this meeting to review your completed client questionnaire, to determine your needs, your preferred style, the possibilities or challenges your site may present. I’ll explain what to expect during the design process, and we’ll get to know each other. We can schedule visits to nurseries and browse books together to determine what you like. Following the meeting, I submit a written proposal for your design. The design process consists of several steps that are outlined below:
SITE MAP
In order to analyze the site and its conditions, 
I create a site map of the property. This is an inventory that includes measurements of your home, visible property boundaries, and other existing elements (driveways, existing features, plantings and structures, etc.). In most cases, I take a soil probe with a shovel to be analyzed by an agricultural laboratory. This soils analysis is an inexpensive operation that will give us valuable information about the composition, fertility or special needs of your soil and guide in the preparation of the soil for planting and long-term maintenance.
PRELIMINARY CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
Based on my analysis of the site map and our initial consultation, I develop one or more conceptuals drawn to scale, including colored renderings, rough sketches and photos to assist you in gaining a clear understanding of the proposed design solutions. After you select and approve a conceptual, I design a final master concept plan for your garden.
MASTER CONCEPT PLAN
The master concept plan is a blueprint that spells out the design ideas and revisions discussed during the previous presentation of the preliminary conceptuals. It shows the conceptual ”hardscape” layout, such as patios, walks or pools, and the desired materials. Depending on the scale of the project, it incorporates the planting plan where plants are drawn “to scale” showing their expected mature size; for more complex projects the planting plan is a separate plan. It also contains a plant legend that itemizes the specific plant varieties with common and scientific names, sizes and quantities for your garden.
PLANT BOOK
If desired, I prepare a plant book of all plants used in your design with their photos and descriptions, water & light needs and maintenance instructions. This way you can envision the mature appearance of the plants used in your design even when planted at a young (small) size, identify them when they are in bloom and direct your maintenance and irrigation efforts to their best health.
CONSULTATION DURING CONSTRUCTION
I can assist you in the selection of a construction company for your project, and am available for consultation during the construction phase to protect your investment in the design by assuring that the design intent is preserved.
FOLLOW UP
Because gardens are dynamic and forever evolving, I like to follow the maturation of your garden. Annual visits to evaluate its progress and to make recommendations regarding maintenance will assist you in successfully reaching the full promise of the design.
FEES
My consultation fee is $150 for 2 hours of which 1 hour is free if you contract with me for a design. The fees for a master concept plan can range from $1500 to $3500 and more acording to the complexity of the project.
Download my questionnaire to get started today!
CONTACT ME TODAY
Christiane Holmquist Landscape Design [P]760.586.6065 [E] cholmquist@adnc.com
