Services

Design
Designer utilizes consultation information, site inventory and analysis, and additional site visits to develop a conceptual plan. Concept plan shows all existing and proposed design elements in a functional, cohesive manner. After a review of concept plan with owner, designer creates master plan; a detailed plan that show specific plants, plant tables, structures, hardscape elements, and implementation notes.

Consultation
I'll help you solve your site problems and avoid costly mistakes; educate you on what is involved in quality design and construction; assist you in the decision making process for your landscape design. Each site, client, and residence is different! I do an inventory of the site, residence, and client to establish and define existing elements and the changes that need to occur based on your needs and priorities. I will show you how your landscape can enhance your lifestyle, save on water and energy, and increase your property value.

Construction Consulting Services
Locate competent landscape contractor for implementation. Communicate design intent to contractor. Hold pre-implementation meetings between owner and contractor. Setup and select hardscape materials, mark out lines, borders, locations of structures, and hardscape elements. Setup, select, order, and place plants for landscape installation. Provide written documentation on all implementation meetings, procedures, and decisions, during the construction process. Act as a neutral party between owner and contractor(s) to resolve any problems between landscape contractor(s) and owner. Verify design is implemented properly consulting with contractor(s) on gridding, irrigation, hardscape, landscape, and lighting. Final walk-through of completed landscape with owner; includes as-built plan reflecting all project changes.

Maintenance
Either the installation contractor or another contracts with the client to maintain their landscape after the installation. Designer offers maintenance tips to owner.

Laughlin Design Associates, Inc.
Sustainable Designs
Design Consulting Construction

"There's a relationship between the value of what we create and what we're paid for creating it."  David Tisherman, 2008

Rick Laughlin, APLD
laughlinds@lgcy.com

801.485.8634

Construction Consulting Services
As a consultant on the landscape implementation the landscape designer consults with the owner and contractor(s) to insure the design intent is maintained throughout the project. The designer is a valuable asset to the owner with his experience in the construction process coupled with his skill in coordinating the process to produce an efficient, high quality project. During a typical design implementation, unforeseen questions and problems arise that require the designer's attention. Changes to the design are necessitated by site conditions encountered during the implementation.

Design elements never appear on the ground as they do in the landscape plan: perspective distorts their appearance from different viewing angles. On site adjustments need to be made! This involves frequent on-site visits by the designer to mark out key lines, borders, structure locations and placement of key landscape elements. Mistakes made during this project phase are magnified in subsequent phases. As garden elements are brought on site each one is placed and this affects the overall balance of the composition. Frequently, the designer will reset rocks or plants that have already been positioned in order to achieve a better overall balance.

A well executed landscape implementation begins with a professional landscape plan followed by pre-construction meetings between the owner, designer, and contractors. Construction begins with initial tear out of the undesirable elements in the existing landscape, such as turf, undesirable plants and hardscape. Look at the pictures illustrating a typical residential implementation. The Becker Construction begins with sod removal, irrigation work, tree removal, soil amendment/grading, establishing bed lines, boulder placement, and concrete removal.

The contractors I use are good at their trades, but they are not designers. I consistently communicate the design intent to the contractor(s). Throughout the implementation, I look for mistakes and correct them. Since the landscape designer has a thorough understanding of the owner's needs, he adds value to the project and gives the owner peace of mind.

Construction Consulting Contract
Design Consultation Questionnaire