A landscape design is the foundation on which a beautiful garden can be created.
MLD designs gardens of all styles. Some homeowners specify certain plants to be included in the design, while others know little of plants that do well in New Mexico.
Factors that shape design can include: providing food for pollinators, water usage, native plants, love of specific plants, color, fragrance, texture, growing herbs and food, desire for shade, year-round interest, level of maintenance desired, use of the space such as for entertaining or meditation, privacy, specific garden style (such as Southwest high color, xeriscape, Zen, contemporary, cottage garden), and more.
Donna brings experience, creativity, aesthetic sense, and site-specific problem solving to landscape design work.
Landscape designs typically run between $4,000-$8,000. Small courtyards would be less.
Initial walk-throughs for design work are free, unless they are further from the Santa Fe area, such as in White Rock, Pojoaque area, Abiquiu, Albuquerque, etc. Cost depends on property location. Initial walk-throughs are where we look at the property together, and I learn about what you would like to have and problems to be solved.
Consultations (1.5 hours) are $300. Consultations at properties further from Santa Fe include travel time at $90 per hour.
The Design Process
- One-hour initial meeting to get a feel for the property and what the homeowners are envisioning. At the end of the meeting, I will tell you the design cost, which includes one revision. Most designs are 2-dimensional only. Digital 3D design is available in addition to the 2D design for an extra fee.
- I email homeowners a simple design contract. A signed contract and 50% of the total amount are required.
- I return to the property to take pictures, measurements, and get rough design ideas. I can also meet again with the homeowner if they wish.
- One to two weeks later I email homeowners a first design, along with a Word document with pictures and information about plants in the design. This includes bloom time, mature size, and if a plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, has fall color or year-round interest, etc.
- The homeowner and I communicate about any revisions. This may be in person, over the phone, or via email.
- One revision is included in the estimate.
- When a design is approved I email the homeowners a digital package that they can send to potential installers. This includes:
a. The 2D design in .pdf formb. A materials list in an Excel spreadsheet that includes:
– plant list with common and scientific names
– numbers of each plant
– square footage of hardscape elements such as flagstone and gravel, if applicable
– linear footage of elements such as new fencing, retaining walls, and edging for borders, if applicable.