FAQ & Bio

A: I provide Consulting, Sketch Plans, or more comprehensive Master Plans. Often, a consultation is all that is needed, especially for those with their own resources, such as employees, equipment or friends with expertise and a willingness to help.  I bill for consultations by the hour.

A: A Sketch Plan is a plan done at your residence or business at the time of the appointment. The drawing is generally not to scale, but it contains enough information for you to move forward on your own, or to work with a contractor to accomplish the various components of the plan.  A Sketch Plan is most appropriate for smaller properties or for specific areas within a larger property or if you need help in the middle of a project.  These appointments usually take between two and four hours, depending on the size and complexity of the design. I bill for Sketch Plans by the hour and I have a two hour minimum.

A: A Master Plan is a comprehensive design which is drawn to scale and reflects the client’s overall design goals in detail.  The drawing is suitable for identifying phases of construction that the project may require, as well as for estimates of probable cost or estimates from contractors.  These drawings are appropriate where the design requirements are more complex or for larger projects.  There are generally several meetings involved for design approvals along the way to ensure that the final design is exactly what you want.  The fee for Master Plans varies with the size and complexity of the project.  I provide an estimate of time and fee schedule for approval once a scope of work has been established.

A: Customers frequently tell me they have an idea, and then ask me to tell them if it’s crazy.  Sometimes the ideas are crazy…sometimes maybe not crazy, but ill-advised for the area in question.  Bouncing your ideas off a professional who doesn’t have a financial interest in the implementation of your ideas can save you a lot of money and help you avoid mistakes that may have to be undone at a later date.  Most contractors aren’t designers and are more than willing to implement any and all of your ideas…so the crazier the idea, the better!

A: I often recommend that you start with the highest priority items.  Rome wasn’t built in a day; but, parts of it were!  It’s important, however, to understand the logical sequence of construction so that you can ensure the best use of resources in each phase.  Also, there are better times of the year to address certain components of a project than others.

A: Yes I do!  Not only will I develop a plan to solve the problem, but I will explain the dynamics of the problem to you so that you understand it and the solution that will resolve it.  I see a lot of drainage solutions done by builders and contractors, that not only do not work, but I’m certain weren’t inexpensive.  Drainage problems left unresolved can lead to structural problems and costly repairs to your property.

A: I do not have any people…but I know people.  I’m just the “hired hand” so to speak.  I am able to refer you to contractors that I am confident will do a good job for you and your contract would be with them (I do not take commissions or fees for referrals).  However, once you have a plan, you will be able to compare apples to apples, receiving bids from multiple sources for the same work and items.  This puts you in charge.

A: I can continue to be involved as your representative and I bill by the hour for such work or time that you approve.  I can help you secure estimates for all or a portion of the work, as well as being present on site as the project progresses.  I am able to direct or observe the contractor’s work and to respond to changes required by unforeseen conditions on site so that the installation reflects the design intent.

A: Over the years, I have seen most every problem there is associated with lawns, shrubs and trees.  Often the problem with the landscape is what was planted, how things were planted or where they were planted.  If it’s a bug, fungus, or disease issue, this is generally able to be identified, but I’ve learned enough over the years to defer to the horticulturalists.  A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

A: Surprisingly, I get this one a lot.  Landscape Architecture is a professional degree program, not unlike an architect or an engineer.  The five year undergraduate degree is followed by a required apprenticeship under a licensed Landscape Architect.  Then you must apply for and pass a nationally standardized exam, apply for a license from the state in which you wish to practice and maintain your certification through mandatory continuing education. So, yes, there is a special course…or two.