Landscape Designs by Elizabeth M. Lowe

I specialize in environmentally sensitive designs for properties of any size. While I am available for public projects, most of my applied work has involved residential properties. I will work to find the right combination of living plants and hardscape features to suit your needs, without adverse impacts on the natural communities in your neighborhood.

I've laid out the steps in the residential design process below. The overall cost of your project will depend on on what you want out of it, what time scale you want to work on, and how much of the work you want to do yourself. Some clients want a design they can implement themselves, perhaps over a period of years, while others prefer to hire me to complete the entire project for them in a matter of weeks. I'll be happy to work out the details on an individual basis, so feel free to contact me (Beth@GroveHillGardens.com) to set up an initial consultation.

The Residential Design Process

Step 1: Initial Consultation

My work for each client begins with a free initial consultation in which we discuss what you envision for your yard, including how you currently use your property, and how you would like to use it, along with what you like and dislike in landscapes generally. At the same time, I will share with you information about landscapes I've created in the past, and what I can and cannot do to improve your garden.

Step 2: Design Estimate

Once we've discussed the scope of the project, I will give you an estimate for how much you can expect to pay for the work I complete in the design phase.

Step 3: Design Agreement

Once I have provided an estimate for the cost of the design, I require your signature and a deposit (30% of the proposed design cost).

Step 4: Design

Once the deposit is paid, I'll create an attractive, unique, and functional design. I will begin by performing a site analysis. This includes measurement and analysis of existing conditions, including a sketched plan of the current state of the site. Next, I will create concepts, and draw an initial plan. At this stage I will probably discuss my general ideas with you via e-mail or the phone. Next, I will select plants appropriate to the site, your taste, and the overall design. At this stage, I will also create an estimate of the cost to install.

Step 5: Design Approval

At this point, we will meet to discuss the proposed design. I will create a revised design based on the results of our conference. Once you are satisfied by my final design and estimate for installation, you may pay a deposit (30% of the proposed installation cost) and sign the estimate. We then move on to the final phase.

Step 6: Installation

Depending on the size of the project you can watch your private landscape dramatically transform in a few days or a couple of weeks. The final garden will be a living outdoor sanctuary that changes with the seasons, and matures with the years.