Frequently Asked Questions
Do you provide free estimates and designs?
A design is essential in determining the cost of your project based upon square footage, materials, demolition, and installation. We do charge for our design time on a per project basis. Our hourly consultation fee is $100. Our design fee is $120/hour.
If you choose to move forward, we will deduct your one-hour consultation from your final design fee. Design costs are correlated to space size and materials used. A design copy is yours to keep, with or without a project installation. We don’t provide estimates over the phone. Learn more about our garden and design services. We provide services in the Denver Metro area.
How much will my project cost?
Know your budget. Project costs are determined by square footage, materials used, and labor. Installing a garden is similar to remodeling a room in your house or giving it a facelift. Depending on the size of the room and the scope of work involved, costs can vary. Consider your garden an outdoor room remodel. Decide what is most important to you, knowing you have options.
If necessary, we recommend breaking down your project into phases, allowing you to accommodate your budget. Your new landscape is an investment. It will ultimately save you time and resources while increasing your property value. Read more in garden services. Our services and materials are non-negotiable. We value our offerings and discerning clientele.
What are your project size requirements?
We require a minimum of 1,000 square feet for a design and installation project. While our design pricing starts at $500, it's important to note that most of our designs typically exceed this amount due to the level of detail, expertise, and time involved in creating something truly special. We believe in delivering high-quality, custom garden designs that meet your specific visions.
Design revisions will be billed at our hourly rate.
What is the design and installation process timeline?
Design and installation project timelines are determined by the project scope, current client funnel, contractor scheduling, weather, and other unknowns. Creating a design and installing a new landscape or garden can be a long process, requiring patience and commitment. As a small niche business, we adhere to quality over quantitiy. This is why we only take on a limited volume of projects each season due to the bespoke nature of our business. We can’t accomodate unrealistic timeline expectations. It’s best to contact us in the fall if you’re looking for a spring/summer project installation. Read more about our design process below.
I’m a DIY’er but need some help. What can you help me with?
We can consult and partner with you about building and caring for your garden. We can create designs, plant lists, and mood boards along with plant sourcing. Please note, we can only source plants for you in bulk not on an as needed basis.
We are here to teach you how to implement regenerative practices, such as sheet mulching, composting, enhancing soil health, and native garden management. We customize consultations to meet your needs within the scope of our offerings. Consulting fees ($100/hr) apply.
DIY designs or garden planting placement and layouts must meet a 500 square foot requirement. No exceptions.
What is regenerative gardening?
Read our article on regenerative gardening.
Do you provide garden maintenance?
While we don’t provide garden maintenance services, we do provide seasonal garden management coaching for existing clients only. We want to teach you how to properly manage your regenerative garden. Established client coaching fees ($80/hour) apply. If you are interested in becoming a design client, contact us.
We offer a complimentary 30-minute garden management session for landscape installation clients following the completion of your garden installation. This session ensures your garden continues to thrive after it has had time to establish.
Are you landscape architects?
We design living landscapes and plants are our specialty. Landscape architects are perfect for projects requiring complex sight enhancements or changes, large hardscaping or structural additions, and detailed engineering plans.
Do you design and install hardscape?
We can design and install pathways, retaining walls, and rain gardens. We are happy to work alongside your hardscaping landscaper with larger projects. We don’t design and install water features, fire pits, pergolas, play sets, trellises, decks, benches, lawn fixtures, or crevice gardens.
We never install or include artificial turf in any of our projects. We don’t remove trees, stumps, concrete, or structures.
Do you offer permaculture design or vegetable gardens?
We specialize in native naturalistic gardens and building biodiversity. We can design and install a pollinator garden, incorporating it into your vegetable garden. Native pollinator gardens invite beneficial bees, birds, and butterflies into your space, making them a great addition to edible garden success. We can also connect you with trusted, local permaculture and kitchen garden specialists.
I live in an HOA. Can you still remove my front lawn and install a drought tolerant, pollinator garden?
This depends on what your HOA allows. In the past, most neighborhood associations have held strict regulations with no allowance for complete front lawn removal. We are beginning to see a shift in our Colorado neighborhoods.
On May 17, 2023, Governor Polis signed the Water-wise Landscpaping in Homeowners’ Association Communities bill (HB23-178) into law. This bill provides HOAs with clear guidlines and rules to follow and “may not prohibit the use of xeriscape, nonvegetative turf grass, or drought-tolerant vegetative landscapes to provide ground covering to property for which a unit owner is responsible”. See our resources for more information.
Our relationship with you is important.
We are selective about who we choose to work with. Before we move forward on a consultation, DIY project, or a design and installation, we may ask for further conversation to make sure we are a good fit for one another. Our goal is to ensure an open working relationship built on mutual respect and trust. We need to know you understand our service offerings, have realistic requests and expectations, and value our small business.
Our Design Process
Preparing for design & consultation meetings.
Write down your ideas, goals and visions before your consultation or project. The more information you can provide the better. Pictures, drawings, or visions boards are great tools for initiating your garden ideas.
Please discuss your project with other decision makers in your household and agree to a mutually beneficial plan so we can avoid uncomfortable meetings or awkward surprises.
Know your budget and what you’re willing to invest in your design or project. Having a defined budget allows us to create a design or project that is within your allotted dollar amount. A budget plan gives you flexibility to install your landscape in phases if necessary. Please be open and honest about your budget. We don’t enjoy having to turn clients away.
After discussing the scope of your project, we will provide you with a rough estimate of the hours it will take to complete your design and project proposal. We do our best to keep our design time efficient without sacrificing quality.
Please keep in mind, we are usually working on multiple client designs and projects. We ask for your patience during this process in order for us to provide sufficient time and attention to all of our clientele.
Communication during the design process is critical.
Design Revisions. We do charge for design revisions. Last minute changes or surprises are challenging and it will cost you more if continual revisions are made.
Have a timeframe for designing and installing your project. Late summer and fall are slower times for our business. This is the best time to contact us about a design for the following spring and summer.
Our busy season starts in May and continues through the summer. Please don’t contact us during our busiest months of the year and expect an immediate design and project installation. Chances are, we already have client designs and projects under contract for the season.
Please don’t schedule a design or project consultation with us until you are fully committed to moving forward financially and ready to put forth the time and patience this process requires.
Plan ahead if you live in an HOA. You will have to submit plans to your HOA for approval before a project begins. It’s your responsibility to understand your HOA approval process and requirements. We require HOA approval before we’ll schedule your project. We are not involved in meeting with your HOA or interpreting the law within your HOA’s parameters.
Review our website before we meet. We want you to understand our mission and what we do and don’t do. You can also view project portfolios, testimonials and frequently asked questions. It’s important to us if you take the time to learn what we do before moving forward.