The Design Consultation Process described here
is based on Verbal, Written and/or Design Sketch Contracts Only. Steps shown should be considered
in general and may vary from project to project. Please see Our Design Plan Process for Personalized
Detailed Design Plan options...
Please Note: This Process Was Created Pre-Covid. Please call for our current process for completing design plans and consultations
Step
1… When an enquiry is made to the office regarding
a consultation, the LWS designer, through a series of questions, determines if a consultation
is suitable for the homeowner’s specific needs. Consultations cover specific portions of the
property only. For example - a deck or patio design; driveway and walkway design; front or
rear foundation garden design; small front yard design; pool with hard surface, etc. If an
on-site consultation is suitable, the approximate on-site time requirement and fee is discussed.
Upon agreement, the LWS designer schedules the one-time, on-site appointment which runs on average
two to four hours. The new client is asked to have all pertinent information (style, colours, etc.)
available for the meeting.
Step
2… At the scheduled appointment, the consultation begins
upon arrival of the LWS designer. The designer and client begin with a ‘walk-through’ of
the specific area requested for consultation. The LWS designer then reviews the area; space
availability; grades and the lot plan details (if made available by the client - this info
provides specifics such as lot lines, offsets, easements, etc), Discussions begin regarding
design layout and material recommendations. Details of size and scope of area to be developed
or, if existing, revamped are covered while outdoors. Once all information is gathered the
LWS designer will begin one, two or all three of the following: A: Verbal Consultation
B: Written Consultation C: Design Sketch
Step
3… If a design sketch is determined the LWS designer
measures and records notes of the area to be designed. After measuring, our designer
meets with the client indoors to discuss the potential layout and style. While the
designer creates the scaled design sketch on graph paper, the client may browse through
the photo portfolio of properties. When the base layout is completed the LWS designer
and client work through the area being designed. During this session the client is
encouraged to ask questions and provide input for the design sketch. Based on the
area chosen for the consultation, the designer will guide the client through the design
as it is sketched out. The sketch is then labeled or notes made, based on specific requirements.
Step
4… The LWS designer completes the personal information and indicates
the scale of the drawing (generally 1/8” or 1/4" depending on the area covered). The designer explains
the final design to the client and how to understand the various notes and plant legend (if garden is
included).Also, how to interpret the scaled design sketch in relation to the actual area of the property
designed for the outdoors. The designer provides one scaled (+/-) sketch to the client and keeps one copy
for office records. NOTE: During the first half of the design sketch, the client may opt to switch to a
personalized, detailed design plan. At that time, the client must inform the LWS designer of such a change
so any additional measurements or notes can be taken prior to departure.
