Vista Design Landscape Architects, our services

Onsite landscape consultation

As the title says, this is a meeting at the landscape or garden in question to discuss general ideas and possible scenarios. During this meeting I can establish a broad overview and recognize any site-specific issues. Most often some good ideas are generated at this stage.

Concept landscape design

The next step, as a follow-up to the initial meeting, is for me to create a draft landscape concept design plan. The creation of this draft plan and detail sketches allows you to visualise the ideas we have discussed for your landscape or garden.

Once I have sent or delivered the preliminary concept plan I can discuss with you any changes before finalising the landscape plan view and sketches.

The landscape concept design plan is essentially a blue print for owner or landscaper alike to follow. This plan allows you to organise the project at your own pace and budget, or receive estimates from landscape gardeners and contractors.

Overall landscape layout and some details of hard landscaping materials and plants are shown on the plan. For residential gardens this will give you indications about pavers, pergolas, decks, walls, swimming pools, spa pools, water features and planting, for example.

Landscape concept design plan implementation

I work alongside landscape gardeners and contractors which allows me to ensure that my landscape design plans are implemented to a high standard.

While a process of consultation with the owners, landscaper and working from the concept plan enables the plan to evolve as necessary, it ensures a great final product.

I am happy to recommend landscapers that I value for their high standards of workmanship.

Planting plans

Starting with an on-site consultation I develop a detailed planting plan with plant names, numbers and placement of plants shown on a scale drawing.

This planting plan allows you to follow the plan and source local plants on your own schedule and budget. This can be useful especially for long term projects.

Plant placement

This service allows the rapid development of landscape and garden beds that have been pre-prepared by the client or landscaper.

Plants are sourced locally and placed on site ready for planting.

Plant placement is completed with an artistic eye for colour and detail underpinned by my expert knowledge of plant growth and their ongoing requirements.

Plants are of high quality with suitable species being chosen for your particular landscape or garden.

This saves you time, and ensures the plants are suitable for the particular location. Advice on plant care is provided at the time on site.

So what do my landscape architect services cost?

The initial consultation at your property in the Nelson Tasman region costs $195, very approximately. 50% of this is credited against the cost of the follow-up landscape concept plan if you choose to go to the next step within 3 months.

Landscape design concept plans for an average sized section, with one initial consultation and one consultation to adjust plans cost approximately $1,000 - $1,200. Less 50% of your initial consultation fee. Subsequent adjustments to drawings cost $80 per change. A second design concept for the same landscape will cost $550.

Larger sections with multiple areas requiring design concept plans and detail sketches are difficult to estimate a price for in advance of seeing the landscape or garden.

Larger landscapes, say an acre or more up to 10 acres, can possibly take more than twice the amount of time.

Resource consent planning and drawings are charged for on an hourly rate basis, and times can vary greatly depending on how much data needs to be presented.

Plant placement and delivery for a typical 1,000 metre section usually costs approximately $250, plus the cost of the plants, plus mileage. This service places the plants on-site ready for you or you gardener to plant.

Again, plants are of high quality and advice on plant care is provided at the time on site.

What happens next?

I trust all the above sounds interesting and helpful, so the next step is for me to visit the landscape in question with you to discuss what you have in mind.

Simply click the email link below or call me to make arrangements or discuss your options.

I look forward to hearing from you, Karina Amey.