Frequently Asked Questions

What questions do you ask the customer before starting the design?

Contact Information:

What is your name?

What is your home address?

What is your phone number?

what is your e-mail address?

The House:

What do you want the front of your house to look like?

What color scheme would you like to see on your house? You can send me a photo of a house that has the same color scheme. Another option is for you to specify the brand and numbers of the paint colors.

Do you have neighbors close by?

If so, what color are their houses?

What style of architecture would you like to see on your house?

Would you like to see a new type of front door? If so, what style?

The Landscape:

How do you currently use your front yard?

What are your goals for the front yard? How would you like to use it?

Are there any views from the front yard that you would like to keep? An example would be mountains in the distance.

Do you want a seating area in your front yard?

What color scheme would you like to see in your landscape?

What are your favorite plants?

What are your least favorite plants?

Is your front yard in full sun (6 or more hours of sun a day), partial shade (3-6 hours of sun a day), or full shade (less than 3 hours a day of sun)?

What direction does the front of your house face? An example would be Northwest.

What month and time of day was the photo of your house taken?

Which plants do you want to keep?

What type of soil do you have? clay, sandy, silt, or loamy

Does your house have a septic tank, or does it use the public sewer system? The reason I ask this is because you shouldn't plant a tree near a septic tank.

Do you have drainage issues in your yard? Are there any areas in your yard where water stands after it rains?

Do you have pets that will be in the yard? I don't want to put anything poisonous to them in the yard.

Is anyone in your household allergic to bees or flowers?

Do you have any other helpful information to add?

what forms of payment do you accept?

You can send me a check, money order, or cash in the mail.

What if i am unhappy with something in the design?

If there is anything in the design that you do not like, I can redo that part without any additional cost.

what if i want to implement the design myself?

Please read the disclaimer section below before starting.

Disclaimer

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Landscaping, fences and other structures are subject to rules where there is a minimum distance these must be set back. The rules vary depending on where you live. I do not take that into account when designing the landscaping, so you will need to research that before implementing the landscape design.

Utilities

Right-of-way, easement, setback

I don't know where the utilities are located in your yard, so you must research that before implementing your landscape to make sure you don't run into them when digging in your yard.

Paint

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Architecture

Buy small samples from the paint store before committing to a paint color for your house. Try out the samples on your house, let it dry, and then look at in different lighting, during different times of day. Step back and look at it from the street too. The paint color will usually look different on the exterior walls than the paint swatch.

Architecture

Building permits

Architecture

Any major changes to the house require the use of an architect to design the change before you can start on the project.

Building codes

Building permits

There are regulations for certain structures and features in your yard called building codes. For example, a deck would have a building code. There is also a building code for a fence. For example, the good side must face out. There may be a limit on the height of a fence. Some regions do not allow you to put a fence in the front yard. The building codes are something you must research for your area.

Building permits

Some features such as fences, patios and other structures are examples of things that could require a building permit. The building permits are something you must research for your area. You usually obtain them from your local government. You might have to submit a plan drawn by a professional in order to show that it meets codes. Usually, inspection of the work will be required.

Homeowners associations

Someone who lives in a home that belongs to a homeowners association usually has to get permission before making changes to their home. Sometimes there are restrictive covenants regarding landscaping as well.

Let me design a beautiful new exterior for your home!

Frequently Asked Questions

What questions do you ask the customer before starting the design?

what forms of payment do you accept?

What if i am unhappy with something in the design?

what if i want to implement the design myself?

Disclaimer

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Utilities

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Paint

Right-of-way, easement, setback

Architecture

Architecture

Building permits

Architecture

Building codes

Building permits

Building permits

Building permits

Building permits

Building permits

Homeowners associations

Homeowners associations

Homeowners associations