Our landscape design & build process

1. Meet to begin brainstorming your backyard paradise

After your initial call, we offer a complimentary consultation at our office, or we can come to your home for a minimum $150 fee.

For time purposes and to avoid repetition, we ask that all decision-makers be present during this step of the process. 



2. Dream up your landscape vision

Get in touch with your creative side during this stage of the process and begin collecting ideas for your project. Feel free to bookmark designs, plants, stone finishes, and anything else that resonates from online sites or magazines. We recommend looking to popular sites like Pinterest, Better Homes & Gardens, and Houzz.com for inspiration. 

A Book of Backyard Dreams

Exclusive to Earth, Turf, & Wood is our impressive DreamBuilder Workbook. This unique tool helps streamline your vision into actionable plans, serving as a comprehensive guide through every stage of your project, including sections and photos regarding:

• Budget
• Timeframe
• Amenities
• Materials

If you’d like to receive the coveted DreamBuilder Workbook, simply email us your information, and we’ll follow up with an appointment time to deliver the Workbook.

Payment at this Stage

If you’d like to proceed with our Landscape Architect into the Design stage we’ll require a signed Design Agreement and $2,500.00 to cover the expert time needed to design your project. This fee allows us to dive deeply into your custom project to enable us to provide you with more than just a pretty picture of what is being proposed – our design will reflect the accuracy you deserve beginning with a site visit, measuring your site, shooting spot elevations, performing a complete site assessment of your site’s specific conditions, preparation of a grading plan, proposing stormwater management solutions, analyzing potential phasing and preparing an accurate, project specific Preliminary Estimate.



3. Create a plan with your landscape architect

Once you have all of your top ideas and are ready to proceed, our Landscape Architect and design team are brought in to start translating your dream into tangible design plans. We place a strong emphasis on actively listening to your needs, preferences, and any specific parameters you set for the project, including budget. 

Our design team will work with you to create your masterpiece

With a dedication to understanding your vision in detail, our Landscape Architect and creative design staff craft a stunning and practical plan that not only aligns with your financial considerations but also exceeds your expectations in creativity and functionality.

To help customers envision their projects, we offer 2D renderings that provide a clear sense of the final product. For those who prefer more detailed visuals, we also provide 3D digital renderings upon request, available for an additional fee.

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Criteria

Also, we have the expertise to develop and oversee residential stormwater management plans that are becoming increasingly prevalent because of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Criteria restrictions. We can seamlessly incorporate stormwater management solutions and secure all necessary approvals on all projects as required.

Additional Fees
On occasion, the complexities of outdoor projects require collaboration with professionals outside of our team’s expertise. Architectural drawings, engineering, geotechnical assessment, and/or professional surveys may be necessary. Because of such potential requirements, additional expense may be required.

Typically, the fees are less than 2-3% of the total cost of a project .



4. Review your initial plan

When you decide to move forward, our design team will reach out to you in about 2-4 weeks to meet and review the plan. 

At this point, you’ll begin to see your abstract ideas coming to life in the form of a design plan, and you can give your feedback. It’s also during this step that we’ll go over preliminary pricing. Our pricing is split into phases for those who would rather not do it all at once, allowing you the flexibility to progress through the project at your own pace and financial comfort level.

Payment at this stage

If you’d like feel confident that our design is headed in the right direction and there are minor revisions to be made; we’ll require a retainer of approximately 10% of the preliminary project costs associated with our preliminary plan. During this retainer stage we will work on revising the plan to reflect your comments and priorities. We’ll also begin material selections, final detailing, and we may begin the permitting and HOA approval processes.



5. Finalize the plan, budget, & contract

Things are taking shape during this stage, and our team can make any necessary substitutions regarding materials or other elements when we communicate via phone or email. After the plan details are ironed out, we’ll draft a final proposal and contract. 

When we’ve completed the plan, we’ll schedule a time to go over the final plan and pricing. You’ll also receive a drawing that includes the ideas that were discussed previously.

At the end of this stage, you’ll have the ideal design that captures your vision, a detailed construction budget that aligns with your financial parameters, and excitement as your project gets underway.

Payment at this stage

If you’d like to proceed with the project, we’ll require a signed contract and a 50% deposit 30 days prior to construction. Also, during this phase, material selections are finalized, and a time slot for your job is reserved in our system.



6. Construct your landscape project

The time has come to start construction, and we’ll introduce you to your project manager or site foreman. For convenience and efficiency, you’ll have the same foreman and crew for the entire process and can ask them about add-ons, timelines, or materials.

As construction begins, our crew will bring a variety of heavy equipment and materials to your property, and the subsequent digging and altered appearance of your property may be alarming. This phase may be the most disruptive, but it's temporary and necessary for the creation of your outdoor sanctuary!



7. Bring your landscape oasis to life

As the hardscape phase wraps up, the sod, plantings, lighting, and accessories are installed. Now is a good time to pick out decor, patio furniture, and similar things that will complement the beauty of your new outdoor haven. We recommend checking out Bowman’s Stove Shop.

At the end of the project, your designated foreman will conduct a final walkthrough with you, explaining what maintenance and cleaning are needed. We’ll also document any issues you have and make sure they’re resolved quickly.

Now, all that’s left to do is relax, unwind, and enjoy your new favorite spot.