Thank you for taking the time to view this website and considering our firm. Time is valuable and I appreciate you giving us some of yours.

To that end the website itself was designed to give you a ‘feel’ for what our Firm does. We didn’t attempt to weigh it down with elaborate summations of projects shown, it is not intended to be a ‘monument’ to our abilities. Instead it is intended to help you decide if we might be a ‘fit’ for your needs. We want you to have a pleasant experience while getting the information you need.

Along with being a Landscape Architect, my experience as in actual residential installation for twenty years as a design/build contractor has given me a unique perspective regarding residential design.  This puts our Firm in a unique position of having the field experience most Landscape Architects don’t while also having the design expertise unavailable to most contractors.

In short I know from practical experience what works and what doesn’t, and am open to all solutions. When you work with us the design is the product! We are not using it as a sales tool to sell a construction/landscape job. The design however is not an end in itself. You don’t need just a pretty picture on a piece of paper. You are looking for solutions that enhance your home and lifestyle, fits your budget and can be built with a reasonable effort. In addition in these times of increased environmental regulations you need a firm that can help you through the permitting maze.

There can be a substantial cost associated with implementation of residential projects.  The plant and hardscape material along with other amenities can be expensive. The selection of the wrong material (more expensive or unavailable species of plant) can double the cost of such installations. This is where our 25 years of design build experience can pay big dividends. We keep in touch with the Landscape Industry; we know the suppliers, go to the trade shows, and talk to the growers and the manufacturers. In this way we know what is available at what cost each year along with the latest innovations. This knowledge alone can mean substantial savings. Our designs can pay for themselves through such savings alone.

I have listed below a summary of the types of services we offer and the types of projects we have experience with.

In addition I have included a summation of and related information about the residential landscape industry the typical homeowner deals with in our market area. These observations are solely my own based on my 30 years experience as an owner of a design build landscape company, a commissioned; design sales landscape architect and licensed landscape architect... It will provide you with information that will make you a more informed buyer. Even if you don’t agree I hope it helps you in whatever decisions you make.

 If you want to follow up further, or just have a question or two  feel free to call or send email-information is on home page.

Thanks for your time!

Joe

Services Offered

• Consultations on projects-other company proposals
• Site Analysis
• Initial Sketches/Schematics
• Conceptual Designs
• Master Plans
• Construction Documents-Drawings and Specifications
• Planting Design
• Pool/Water Feature Design
• Hardscape Design (Decks, patios, retention walls)
• Lighting Plans
• Permitting
• Erosion and Sediment Control Plans
• Storm Water Management Plans
• Tree inventory Plans              
• Bid/ Contract Consultation
• Construction Management Services

Project Types

• Residential Site Plans
• House location
• Driveway and related access
• Utilities etc.
• Overall Residential Landscape Master Plans
• Pool and Related Surrounds
• Outdoor Rooms and Kitchens
• Using Porches, Decks, Patios and other structures
• Entry Designs/Walkways

State of the Residential Landscape Industry

Problem

Residential landscape design has rarely been about design. More often than not the design is a sales tool, offered as an inducement for a prospect to purchase a particular item or service.  Usually done for free to the client or for very little charge, it seems like a good deal for the homeowner. Unfortunately the reverse is true. Let me tell you why.

 First off, nothing is done for free even if there is not an upfront fee charged, the cost has to be accounted for on the bottom line. The average cost of sale of a residential landscape project is 10% paid in salary and commission to the designer sales person and 5-10% in marketing. This means that you, the homeowner are in fact paying on average 15-20% for this service. It is included in the cost of the project itself, not broken out as an itemized cost.  The average landscape installation today is between $10,000.00-$15,000.00, this would mean a design/sales cost of $1500.00 to $3000.00. Are you getting your money’s worth?  What are the qualifications of the person your paying such a fee for? Furthermore the client who does have a project installed incurs the overhead cost for all the designs done for the other clients who didn’t purchase… A kind of a tax on services.

Second concern. These designers/ salespersons get paid commission or have their performance based on contracts signed, not quality of design. What is the primary motivation of that person? What would be the real incentive for to provide good design? Obviously, The goal is sales, not design. Whether a big firm or a one man operation if the design is not charged for at a rate reflecting it’s value what you get is a sales presentation usually promoting whatever the strong points of the company being represented has. The one designing is usually doing it on speculation so he can only spend so much time on it if he hopes to “crank out” enough designs to make enough “stick” to make a living Granted good designs will create recognition for the designers which will help to generate referrals so there is some incentive there. But make no mistake, sales is still the end goal. This type of design service is provided to induce you to buy. It is not an end in itself

Third concern Good design should be unbiased in the use of materials, trades used. It is not; it typically places your needs secondary to the needs the needs of the company being represented. The design solution will have to emphasis methods and materials used by the salesman’s company or else they go broke. The salesman is not at fault really; it is just how the system is set up! It is like the real estate agent who appears to be working for the buyer, but is actually in the employ of the seller. Although a smart sales/designer should determine a budget and design for it, there is no reason to offer alternatives to the client that might improve the design or save money if it is not in the best interest of the company. If they don’t offer the alternative service so there’s not an incentive for them to mention it. If it is easier and more profitable for a company to build a deck rather than a patio that is probably what will be presented. (This is usually more prevalent in the larger companies. Management determines what is profitable and what isn’t and sets parameters on what should be  ‘pushed’.)

Solution

Recognize the design for what it is. A necessary product in the development of a good landscape. There is a cost and it should be accounted for upfront. If the compensation is for the design, and the person doing that design has his livelihood and reputation on the line then his goal will be good design. When that cost is accounted for upfront, the client will know what it is and will realize savings on the project as a whole if that extra 15-20 percent is not in the bottom line.

PLEASE!!!!

For your own Sake!!!!

No matter which company you use and how good their reputation is…………………

Check the credentials/experience of the actual person you are dealing with (company representative/designer). This is the person making the decisions regarding your property.

An additional Note

Landscape Architecture is the only recognized field of study that deals with all aspects of residential landscape design, from planting to grading to structures, yet for a long it was not illegal for people who didn’t meet the above criteria to use the title. This left you, the homeowner exposed to advice given or worse yet, actually services performed by potentially unqualified people....

The Virginia State Legislature was convinced that this was in fact a serious enough health and safety issue regarding the general public and that it needed to intervene and did so by passing a law. As of July 2001, only those Landscape Architects who are licensed by the state may actually call themselves Landscape Architects. In order to be licensed you need to have graduated from an accredited program and then have passed a rigorous three-day exam.

 Remember, in order to be a called a Landscape Architect in the State of Virginia a person must have a registration number and a seal just like an engineer or surveyor.

What does it all mean?

There is a difference between Landscape Architects; Landscape Designers, and Landscape Contractors.  Who you would use depends on what you need.

Landscape Architects are trained in all aspects of site development from structures to grading to plant design etc.  They are licensed by the state as noted above.

Landscape Designers/Horticulturists Do not need to have a formal education to be classified as such. Their experience is primarily planting design. Although there is a professional society they are not licensed or regulated by the state.

Landscape Contractors   are the builders they know how things should go together and their level of expertise may range from simple planting installation to total site development. They are licensed by the state but it has more to do with contractual liability than trade knowledge. Although they may perform design they are not required to have formal training in it.

Simply put, if you were building a house, the landscape Architect would be the Architect. The landscape Designer would be the interior decorator and the Landscape Contractor would be the builder.

Who to Use Where

Landscape Projects and those Qualified to handle them……

Project

Overall Site Analysis of “Outdoor Space” incorporating good sense of form and space, to make the site work.

  Who To Use

Licensed Landscape Architect- Experience should be an increasingly important factor as the complexity of the job goes up.

 This should be done in conjunction with supporting expertise as needed, from arborist, to civil engineer, to soil scientist. The Landscape Architect should know what information needs to be found, but is not qualified to obtain it alone.

Project

Overall Master Plan or design of “Outdoor Space” incorporating Good sense of form and space, to make the site work.

Experienced in Drainage, Structures, and Irrigation Planting Design etc.

  Who To Use

Licensed Landscape Architect- Experience should be an increasingly important factor as the complexity of the job goes up

This should be done in conjunction with supporting expertise as needed, from arborist, to civil engineer, to soil scientist. The Landscape Architect should know what information needs to be found, but is not qualified to obtain it alone.

Experienced landscape designer or horticulturist- IF THEY CAN DOCUMENT THEIR EXPERTISE!

Note: Landscape architect may be good at overall conceptual design but may be weak in detailed planting design. You may want to get an overall concept from the Landscape Architect and they flesh it out with a horticulturist etc.

Project

Major Outdoor structures

Patio, deck trellis, Pool etc.

Who To Use

Licensed Landscape Architect- Experience should be an increasingly important factor as the complexity of the job goes up

Licensed Architect- IF they have dealt with and are sensitive to exterior design and are not considering the exterior as an afterthought  to  their existing project.

Building Contractor- Only if you know what you want and are comfortable and knowledgeable in construction!

Landscape Contractor- Be careful! If it is structures only they may not have that much experience, you could be taking a risk if they are not familiar with construction etc.

Project

Planting Design being used to Create “space”(major planting design on an estate or large area where goal is to create a sense of place)

  Who To Use

Licensed Landscape Architect- Experience should be an increasingly important factor as the complexity of the job goes up

Experienced landscape designer or horticulturist- IF THEY CAN DOCUMENT THEIR EXPERTISE!

  Project

Planting Design used around existing  “space” (simple gardens around house or patio etc.)

Who To Use

Experienced landscape designer or horticulturist- IF THEY CAN DOCUMENT THEIR EXPERTISE!

Licensed Landscape Architect- Experience should include good plant knowledge

Project

Detailed Planting plan using perennials etc.

Who To Use

Experienced landscape designer or horticulturist with expertise in the type of design you are looking for.

Licensed Landscape Architect- Only if they can document their expertise in the type of work you are having done.

Project

Shrubs, perennials and groundcover Maintenance; disease identification, consultation

Who To Use

Horticulturist who has studied plant biology etc.

BE CAREFULL USING A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OR DESIGNER THEY ARE TRAINED IN DESIGN, NOT HORTICULTURE. THEY ARE TYPICALLY WEAK IN THE PLANT SCIENCES. (Reverse is also true, be careful using a horticulturist to provide design solutions, they may know where a plant can survive but have No sense of design.)

Project

Tree Identification and Maintenance; disease identification consultation

  Who To Use

Licensed Arborist; not just a “tree man”

DO NOT USE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT OR DESIGNER THEY ARE TRAINED IN DESIGN NOT HORTICULTURE. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS WILL DENY THIS BUYT THEY ARE TYPICALLY WEAK IN THE PLANT SCIENCES

Note:

It is not uncommon for a number of trades to collaborate on a project. This is usually a good thing as long as there is no competition among the consultants involved.