The design process is divided into the following phases. If you are starting your design project, many of the forms are available in a larger format suitable for printing directly from this site.

Design Process

PROGRAM OF NEEDS AND BUDGET RANGE:
(Click on title to be redirected to printable form)

PLOT PLAN OR ILC

SITE SKETCH / PLOT PLAN

A.	YOUR LANDSCAPE SOLUTIONS (YLS) meets with Owner(s) to discuss and clarify the overall scope and budget range of project:

Option #1:

in the studio-office (a free 11/2 hour +/- meeting)

Option #2:

on project site (at $150 per hour while on site with a one hour minimum). If the Owner(s) decide to sign a Design Services Contract with YLS with in 30 days of first meeting, this hourly fee will be credited to the final conceptual design fee amount.

B.	The Owner(s) will provide to YLS either at the first meeting or at least 7 days prior to the first meeting via fax (720.283.3303, call before faxing) or via e-mail: tls@commonsenselandscaping.com

A plot plan, improvement location certificate (ILC), site sketch, or topographic survey.

House construction plans if available, or a floor plan or sketch indicating room arrangements and dimensions.

Photos/Video (on CD, e-mail, or a hard copy) - into & out of the site. (See Photo & Video Guidelines)

The Owner(s) will develop (if necessary with YLS' assistance at the first meeting) and submit at least 7 days prior to the first meeting via fax or e-mail a PROGRAM OF NEEDS AND BUDGET RANGE form that establishes the scope of the project and the budget range (for more information about creating a budget for your project, please click on "How to Develop a Budget for Your Landscape Project" and "Landscape Budget Development Worksheet") and phasing requirements. Previous documents become a part of the DESIGN SERVICES CONTRACT.

YLS reviews the project size, scope, complexity, and the budget; then assigns a fee for the design services and target dates for the completion of the design phases based on the Fee Packages & Options for Landscape Architecture Design Services currently offered. (YLS does not quote fees or give estimates by phone, fax, or e-mail)

E.	YLS and the Owner(s) complete and sign a PROGRAM OF NEEDS AND BUDET RANGE form and a DESIGN SERVICES CONTRACT before proceeding.

Design Process

SITE SURVEY AND INVENTORY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS:

BASE PLAN

A.	From the Owner(s) plot plan, Improvement Location Certificate (ILC), topographic survey, and/or house construction plans; YLS will develop field sketches and notes to facilitate the on-site survey and inventory by YLS, the survey crew, or a licensed land surveyor.*

B.	YLS, the survey crew, or a licensed land surveyor will survey, take measurements, inventory, and record with photos and/or video, all existing site conditions, elements, and features.*

C.	YLS drafts, to an appropriate scale (1/8" or 1/4" = 1'-0"), a Base Plan of the project site indicating existing conditions, topography, elements, and features.*

Note:

* Owner(s) may provide an accurate site survey and inventory (SSI) with before photos and/or video, and an accurate Base Plan to scale(1/8" or 1/4" = 1ft) with 1 foot (preferred) or 2 foot vertical contour intervals on reproducible vellum or a computer generated disc (based on Autocadd.dwg Version 2000 or less), at no additional charge. See YLS' SURVEY & ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS PACKET (SARP) for details.

Design Process

ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM, BUDGET, & EXISTING SITE CONDITIONS:

YLS will analyze:

A.	The Owner(s)' Program of Needs and Budget Range form and Budget Development Worksheet to prioritize the needs, wants, and desired requirements as well as budget range guidelines to establish spending and phasing schedules for consideration by YLS and the Owner(s) during the Design phases.

B.	Existing on- and off-site conditions, elements, and features that reveal a need for attention during the conceptual design development.

C.	Systematic calculations and comparisons of existing site conditions, elements, and features to determine capabilities, capacities, orientations, and exposures; to determine the good and bad features (the qualities and liabilities) of the existing site.

Design Process

DESIGN / SYNTHESIS:

PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION - A
(WITH COMMENTS)

MASTER LANDSCAPE PLAN
(MLP)

AREA LANDSCAPE PLAN
(ALP)

A.	PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS:

YLS develops two or more alternative studies, plans, and estimates to fit the Owner(s) requirements to the existing site and to indicate YLS's concept of the best solution(s).

YLS will then meet with the Owner(s) to review and discuss the alternative preliminary conceptual solution(s) to the project so all parties will be thoroughly familiar and in agreement with the preliminary solutions.

The Owner(s) will select and appove the final preliminary conceptual design alternative and give directions to YLS on the PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL DESIGN APPROVAL form as to how to proceed with the completion of the FINAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN.

B.	FINAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN SOLUTIONS:

YLS prepares a FINAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGN (MLP or ALP) from the previously agreed to PRELIMINARY CONCEPTUAL DESIGN indicating use areas and elements to be developed with the physical shapes, sizes, materials, and colors represented.

YLS prepares a FINAL COST ESTIMATE and PHASING SCHEDULE for the completion of the project as agreed to by the Owner(s) and whether to be completed by a landscape contractor, the Owner(s) as a do-it-yourself project, or as a combination of landscape contractor and Owner(s) completed project; and/or coordinated by YLS.

YLS will meet with the Owner(s) to review and discuss the FINAL PLAN, FINAL COST ESTIMATE, and PHASING SCHEDULE.

With the Owner(s) direction and approval, YLS will develop professional services contracts for:

DETAIL DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENT DEVELOPMENT

PROJECT CO-ORDINATION or INSPECTION SERVICES