Thomas Wheaton Garden Design

Covid-19 update: Along with my colleagues in the industry, I am adapting my practice to comply with current state and local guidelines to help protect myself and my clients from the spread of SARS-COV-2. At every in-person meeting and whenever visiting a site, I wear a non-surgical cloth face mask at all times. To the greatest extent possible, I have made all my client and contractor interactions contactless. Whenever feasible, I will accommodate requests for delivery of documents in electronic form.

In the following, I have broken down the design process into its various component phases. For a complete project starting from “blank slate” beginnings and resulting in new and fabulous outdoor entertaining spaces, expect to follow all these steps in order. Exceptions are never out of the question, however. For example, if you want to add or replace plantings while leaving your existing hardscaping and other features unaltered, we can navigate a process that skips over the concept design and outline plan and leads directly to a planting design. Or, if you want to add a single new feature like a patio, deck, or pathways without any associated plantings, I can produce a contractor-ready plan just for those elements.

Initial Consultation

Your first meeting with me can take one of two forms:

1. It can be an informal, get-acquainted meeting where we exchange contact information, I get a sense of the scale of the outdoor project you’re considering, and I then submit a written proposal detailing the scope of work I anticipate and my fee for those services. Because I do not provide any specific design tips or suggestions in the course of such a meeting, I do not charge for simple proposal visits.

2. It can be an on-site consultation, where I tour and inspect the location with you, discuss your wishes and concerns for the site, and share my ideas about how you can create outdoor spaces that work better for you. Upon returning to my studio, I will produce a detailed report documenting my observations and thoughts, including any additional information and resources that might be helpful. For example, if you are experiencing problems with deer grazing in your garden, the document I provide will include a list of deer-resistant species vetted for the light and moisture conditions matching your site. While my consultation document may include photos, maps, and tables, it will not include any scale drawings or planting plans as these are only prepared as part of a full design commission. For on-site consultations, which I offer as a stand-alone service, I charge a fixed daily rate. Following delivery of my initial consultation notes I will, upon request, prepare and submit a separate fee proposal for complete design services.

The simple, straight-to-quote meeting is typical in situations where my prospective client already has a clear idea of what they’re looking for in their finished landscape. The on-site consultation is most useful for those who can see the potential in their outdoor spaces, but aren’t yet certain about committing to a design project and might feel overwhelmed with options and be open to suggestions.

Time to complete this phase: varies; less than a day to a maximum of 2 days

Client Brief

The client brief consists of information I will gather over the course of my conversations with you—during the initial consultation and/or subsequent meetings as needed—which forms a set of aesthetic and practical considerations that will serve as guidelines during the development of my design. Your favorite colors, tastes in design and decor, and other preferences will be reflected in my choices, as will such pragmatic needs as additional parking spaces, widened steps, or enhanced privacy screening, as well as any challenging site conditions.

Time to complete this phase: less than a day

Site Survey & Analysis

Every good and thoughtful landscape design begins with some engineering work. Before proceeding with my creative approach, I must undertake a thorough reconnaissance and analysis of the site. Accurate, detailed measurements and mapping of its physical features and topography are essential for producing useful scale drawings. Additionally, I require an inventory, assessment and evaluation of site resources (for example, existing features and plants you may wish me to keep in my design) and limitations (like wetlands, setbacks and easements). When available, I also take impact studies and analysis of human and non-human factors into consideration. In cases where professional survey drawings and other site analyses have already been prepared by third parties and are still relevant (as is often the case with newly-constructed homes), making them available to me can save time and expense. Typically, I require a deposit of 50% of my design fee prior to commencing the site survey.

Time to complete this phase: 3 to 5 days

Concept Design

Once I have a complete and detailed site survey drawing and analysis, the creative work can begin. Based on information gathered in the client brief and site survey, I will work on a first-draft plan to develop the overall form and theme of the design. The drawing I produce in this stage of design will be more schematic in character; although drawn to scale, it will be a somewhat “rough” sketch to explore and illustrate my ideas. Traces of underlying geometry and alignment marks are left in the drawing as visible cues to my design approach, and to reveal how different features and spaces relate to each other. When the concept design is complete, I will meet with you to present my ideas, receive your feedback and, if needed, revise the concept design.

Time to complete this phase: 3 to 5 days

Outline Plan

The outline plan is essentially a finished, fully-fleshed-out version of the concept design. In this stage, I will refine the graphic presentation of the overall design, adding details, textures and other features to the drawing that will make it clearer and easier to interpret. I may need to meet with you on one or more occasions over the course of this phase to review the design progress, seek additional feedback, and make any requested changes. At this point, the drawing(-s) will include designated areas for plants, but will not specify the layout or composition of those plantings.

Time to complete this phase: 4 to 6 days (plus 2 to 3 days for each additional drawing sheet, as needed)

Planting Plan

Taking your personal preferences into account, as well as site conditions and what plants they favor, I will proceed to compose plant combinations which compliment both the design theme and the site and its setting. The locations, identification, and quantities of each individual plant (or group of plants) will be specified on drawing sheets separate from the outline plan—often at an increased scale to facilitate installation. One or more meetings may be needed for review, feedback, and revisions.

Time to complete this phase: 2 to 3 days per drawing sheet

Final Documents

Once the outline and planting plans are finalized, I will produce and deliver to you a complete suite of documents, including at least one set for your own records, in addition to (typically) three additional sets for use by contractors in preparing installation quotes and executing construction. Where helpful, I can also produce and supply ancillary drawings to illustrate specific areas of hardscaping or planting in greater detail. At this time, payment will be due for the remainder of my design fee.

A word about my ‘deliverables’—the drawings and documents which comprise the end product of my design work: all my original drawings are works of hand drafting and, as such, take a bit of extra time to produce. Working intuitively with a pencil or pen in my hand rather than a mouse, I feel, leaves me free to put 100% of my effort into the design, rather than the process required to create each line and curve (Curves are difficult enough to work with fluidly on paper, never mind manipulating them on a screen!). You, as my client, will have contracted with me for a luxury service; you deserve to receive premium-quality documents as part of the deal.

Time to complete this phase: 1 day (plus 1-2 days for each detail drawing, as needed)

Installation

While my practice is design-only, I am happy to recommend any landscape contractors I may know who have the manpower and equipment needed to successfully complete your project. Alternatively, you may seek proposals from contractors on your own…or you may have already selected one. When my schedule permits, and for a negotiated fee, I can work with the contractor(-s) on-site to ensure that your project is installed in accordance with the concepts and specifications set forth in my design. I will also document construction progress with notes, photos, and/or video, both for my own records and as a resource for you, if needed.

Time to complete this phase: finite, but varies with project scope and complexity; subject to contractor availability and other factors, especially local weather conditions

Maintenance

As installation of your new landscape wraps up, I will work with you to develop a maintenance schedule to help keep plantings and other elements looking their best. When needed, I will work with nurseries and other suppliers to replace plants or materials which fail to meet expectations. If the work of maintaining your landscape is not something you have the time or ability to take on yourself, there are likely to be landscape maintenance companies in your area who can help. I can recommend or help vet these contractors to identify those with a level of horticultural knowledge appropriate to your garden. Typically I offer one followup consultation at no charge within the first 12 months post-installation. Thereafter, consultations will be billable at my daily rate.

Time to complete this phase: indefinite & ongoing; varies with project scope and complexity; follows seasonal and/or annual cycles; subject to local weather conditions