Sophie's Gardens
Custom Garden Design
(650) 465-4164
The Design Process
My designs reflect your taste, personality and lifestyle. To ensure this, the first step is to meet you at the project site to discuss your vision of how you wish to maximize and enhance your outdoor living space. I will help facilitate this by providing ideas and suggestions for you to consider.
I then draft a design for your review and approval. If necessary, additional iterations of the design are completed until you are satisfied. Tree and plant selections are itemized and also approved by you. I then send an estimate which includes the design fee, plant and accessories costs. If it is necessary to revise the estimate, I will seek your approval before moving forward. I am more than happy to work with you to keep the project within your budget by adjusting the number or size of plants to be installed.
If a hardscape contractor is necessary, I can either refer some to you or you can select your own. You and I will meet with the hardscape contractor to discuss design details to ensure your approval. The contractor will provide an estimate which will include excavation, preparation, materials, labor etc.
After both estimates are approved, a start date is determined and work begins. I work closely with the contractor on the various design phases to ensure proper implementation of the design and layout.
Once the hardscape is complete and the beds are ready for planting, I require a payment to cover the tree and plant costs, as well as any accessories if applicable. After the plants are delivered, I will place them according to the approved design and supervise their installation, making adjustments when appropriate.
Irrigation is installed, followed by mulch to mitigate weed growth, retain moisture and provide a finished look.
At project completion, I can provide you with referrals for garden maintenance services to ensure proper care of your new garden oasis.
