LANDSCAPE DESIGN SERVICES
“The mission of McShane’s Design Department is to create outdoor environments that reflect our client and the desired conditions within which use, space and flow coincide with intelligence of selection, placement, function and meaning.”
OVERVIEW
Design is the most critical step in any sort of landscape! This is where the trained professionals of McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply come in. We are knowledgeable in hard-scape, irrigation and plants, and are well-prepared to help you get your project moving. This handout outlines our services and the design process.
SERVICES
Most landscape designs have both a “Hardscape Plan” and “Planting Plan” component. Hardscape plans can include patios, decks, ponds, boulders, retaining walls, edging, fountains, rock features, pathways and steps, and sometimes lighting. Our hardscape plans will specify the materials that the installing contractor will need to use.
Planting Plans include a “palette” of plants designed into a project. The Planting Plan includes a list of the plants and their sizes to make it easy for the installing contractor to purchase and identify placement.
PROCESS
The process of landscape design usually takes one to three months, from beginning to end, depending on the project. We utilize an initial CONSULTATION phase. This allows customers that are looking for “concepts” and a visit from a professional to take advantage of our expertise. This also allows customers looking for a formal design to get a clear idea of what our staff has in mind before entering into a more involved design contract. The process usually goes as follows:
- Complete Client Information & Survey
- Initial Consultation – Contract / Visit / Meeting (1 hour)
- Site analysis and measurement of existing conditions as needed
- Preparation of base plan of house or lot
- Preparation of preliminary hardscape drawings
- Presentation of preliminary hardscape drawings to client (1 hour meeting)
- Revision of preliminary hardscape drawings as needed.
- Presentation of finalized hardscape drawings to client (1 hour meeting)
- Preparation of plant palette
- Preparation of preliminary planting plan
- Meeting to present preliminary planting plan to client (1 hour meeting)
- Preparation of finalized planting plan drawings
- Meeting to present all finalized drawings for approval by client (1 hour meeting)
Each job (including initial consultations) must include a written contract for services provided.
BENEFITS & COSTING
Our designers are highly regarded for creativity, local knowledge and quality of work. Luckily, utilizing Landscape Design Services at McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply is much more cost-effective than other options available.
Most jobs are bid out by the “project”. This is based on the number of hours involved in measurement, research, design and drawing. Often clients ask for a make-over or renovation of existing landscaping. The cost varies from project to project depending on the extent of work needed, in some cases costing just as much as starting from scratch. If consultation and limited designing is desired, as-needed hourly consultation is another option.
The Initial Consultation is a great way to better understand the possibilities for your yard! It allows clients the opportunity to utilize time with a professional or begin the process of a complete design. The consultation fee is due at the time of the first site visit and / or meeting. The consultation fee will be applied to the ultimate cost of a formal design. Should a formal design contract be signed, a 50% deposit is required at completion and presentation of preliminary drawings. The remaining balance is due and payable upon completion and presentation of the final drawings. Any design or consultation above and beyond the agreement will be billed out at the published hourly rate.
We ask that all clients take the time to fill out one of our “Client Information & Survey” sheets. This saves time and allows our design staff to better understand the client and the goals they have for their outdoor space. We also ask that clients do their best to locate and provide a site map or “lot plan” for the project. If one is not easily found, the county should have one on record. This can save both time and money.
Once a design is completed by the staff at McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply, all nursery material and landscape supplies listed in the design are offered to the customer at the standard contractor discount for the project being designed ONLY.
MEET OUR STAFF
The team behind the Design Department at McShane’s Nursery & Landscape Supply is highly regarded for their work along the Central Coast. Below are brief biographies and highlights of their specialties:
ANTHONY GONZALES is a graduate of Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and has over 14 years design experience. His areas of specialization include deer-resistant and drought-tolerant designs. anthony@mcshanesnursery.com or (831) 455-1876 ext. 105.
PEGGY EATON is a graduate in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly, SLO. She has over 28 years of design experience and is a licensed contractor with a broad range of experience in all types of design, ready for whatever you may have in mind. The best gardens reflect a blend of nature and a client’s needs. I like to think of landscapes as “retreats” where the home or business owner can go to relax with family or friends, decompress, host events, or simply think. I specialize in really listening to my clients, and blending their dreams, desires and priorities into outdoor spaces that are balanced, aesthetic, practical, and harmonious.
My 28 years’ experience in designing home gardens and estate landscapes, in which I strive to match my clients’ tastes and needs to climate, soil types, and desired level of maintenance. A garden is beautiful when it is not only pleasing to the senses but useful and easily cared for. I have designed gardens for clients from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco and have created successful designs for many different microclimates.
My designs have been featured in Home Style magazine and I have worked with dozens of clients through McShane’s Nursery for the past four years. Local Projects: Linder Residence / Monterey York School / Monterey Sutherland Residence / Salinas Pongo Residence / Salinas Robertson Residence / Salinas Philpott Residence / Watsonville Hornbuckle Residence / Pebble Beach peggety123@aol.com or (831) 238-0495.
TRACY PARKER is a graduate in Architecture from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has over 12 years environmental design experience,e integrating site, structure, ecology, watershed and spirit. She is an artist and a certified permaculture designer. lighthouses_design@msn.com or (831) 236-6673.
RYAN MARTIN: Ryan Martin is a graduate in Horticultural Landscaping from Cabrillo College. He completed some work in Landscape Architecture from Cal Poly Pomona. Ryan has over 3 years design experience. His area of specialization includes Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) and rendering of landscape projects. He is often called in to work along side our design team to aid in measurements and computer work. ramartin83@aol.com or (831) 594-3574.
THE RIGHT LANDSCAPE DESIGN CALLS FOR THE RIGHT INSTALATION AND MAINTENANCE
Well designed and installed landscaping will add considerable value to your home (As much as 15 percent), allowing you a return on your investment of 100 to 200 percent. It all begins with choosing the right designer. Once you have a design, you’ll need to choose the right Landscape Contractor to do the installation. This is followed by someone to perform quality maintenance. The following should be helpful when evaluating your choices for installation and ultimately maintenance.
It all begins with your landscape plan. Use your plan to understand and communicate the scope of the project before you. Your plan will guide you in determining which services you'll need from the contractor. Areas to consider include installation of plant material, decks, pavers, retaining walls, irrigation systems and lighting. You may wish to work on some of these projects yourself. If this is the case, be sure to run this by your contractor.
I recommend that each client choose from at least three Landscape Contractors bidding for their business. Be sure to thoroughly investigate everyone. Ask the professionals you are considering whether they are licensed and how long they have been in business. Be sure to ask if they have insurance. Also consider what levels of expertise and education the employees have. Finally, I’d recommend inquire about recent references and even visit some of pas jobsites. We have a list of preferred installers at the nursery. Just ask and we’ll get you a copy.
There are a great number of clients that approach the nursery with “renovations” to poor landscaping. Often it is worth asking about guarantees. This certainly pertains to hardscaping, including concrete, paver and retaining wall work. A recent trend, especially on larger commercial jobs, is to require the landscaping company to maintain the project for the first year. This way, any serious installation mistakes can be dealt with in a timely manner.
Maintenance is a serious topic to consider from the get-go. If the installation company will be providing some or all of the maintenance, ask for the maintenance schedule. Basic lawn maintenance should include weekly mowing, monthly fertilization, weed control if desired and aeration or dethatching services. Ask which chemicals, if any, will be used on your property, and require the contractor to provide the material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each.
Landscaping is a relatively large investment and involves a lot of hard work. If you will be contracting some or all of your landscape installation and maintenance, take the time to evaluate all the possibilities. I often receive requests from young people about how to start out in design and landscape. I encourage folks to enter the field. A good attitude and quality work goes a long way. If you find someone with great references and quality work, give them a chance.
