How to Rock Your Landscape Consultation Meeting!

Make it count and get the most out of your on-site landscape design consultation. Whether you're a developer, estate manager, or property owner, preparing in advance will help you get so much more out of your meeting. 

​When setting up your meeting, your landscape architect may ask you to fill out a detailed questionnaire. Take advantage of this opportunity to share your thoughts!  Set aside time to answer all the questions; the more detail you provide, the better!  Your landscape architect's goal is to fully understand your thoughts and vision and help you achieve it. 

If you happen to have a property survey, architectural plans, or geotechnical report, bring a copy to the meeting! You don't need to give away your copy at this point, but let your landscape architect know what information exists and what it looks like. Any site information you share may help to lower the cost of your design fee. Bonus! 

Be Ready to Answer Questions
Here are a few of our favorites:

• What are the main functions you envision for your site, such as outdoor entertaining, connecting with nature, sustainability, passive or active recreation, relaxing, re-energizing, or public gatherings?
• Will the outdoor space or overall site be used for personal enjoyment, entertaining friends and colleagues, public or employee comradery,  seniors , children, people with disabilities, or all of the above? 
• What kind of landscape features are you thinking about?  Do you desire hardscapes, pathways, sitting areas, planting areas, garden architecture, structures, outdoor kitchen, sports court, music amphitheater, specialty gardens, pool, spa, walking trails, etc.? 
• What are your landscape style preferences?  Such as informal, formal, natural, modern, minimalistic, area-based (northwest, cottage style, southwest, Zen, Mediterranean), etc. 
• Are there any known concerns about your site?  Such as drainage, soil erosion, poor soils (such as clay), flooding, privacy, noise, property boundaries, easements, acquisitions, etc.?  A thoughtful, well laid out design can address existing site problems as well as be aesthetically pleasing.
• What is your budget range for construction, the desired timeframe, or phasing for your project? 

It is important to have a budget in mind before the design process begins. When your landscape architect asks how much you want to spend, it's not to max out your budget, but to advise what is (and what is not) possible within your price range. 
If you're uncertain of the amount you want to spend, your landscape architect can help you establish an appropriate budget for the project you envision. Typical budget ranges are $75-100K, $100-150K, $150- 200K, $200-250K or $250K+.  

​Bring Visuals
Besides, bringing a property survey, architectural plans, or geotechnical report, if you happen to have them, photos are a great way to convey your design preferences and desires.  

As they say, "pictures speak 1000 words". If you have the time, collect a few visual aids for your meeting. Find photos of styles you like (or don't like) in books, magazines, or online. 

Have Fun 
The most crucial aspect of your meeting is to have fun! The design process can be just as much rewarding as the finished project. Your landscape architect is there for you to hear your thoughts, learn what you want to achieve, and ultimately create your vision with long-lasting enjoyment. 

There you have it; you are ready now to rock your landscape consultation meeting! If you're ready to get started, give us a call at (425) 496-7772.  Also, please check out our projects on BauerCombs website or download our free e-book.  We are currently taking on new projects and would love to chat.   

Blog author: Susan Combs Bauer, principal landscape architect and president of BauerCombs & Associates, Inc. "Connecting People to Nature by Design." www.bauercombs.com