Verdance offers a full suite of services to ensure your new landscape will be a source of joy at every point in our process, from the initial consultation through installation and beyond:
Predesign Phase
Design Program Creation:
Continuing the work our consultation began, Verdance will collaborate with you to compose a Design Program document that thoroughly articulates your project goals, wishes, preferences, requirements, and quantitative and qualitative parameters for a successful outcome. The Design Program provides guidance for all of the work to come.
Site Survey & Mapping:
Accurately measure and document existing site and adjacent conditions, including structures and topography. Draft a scaled base plan representing existing structures, primary vegetation, topography and other site features. (This service may be performed by Verdance, a licensed or unlicensed land surveyor, or a licensed civil engineer.)
Site Analysis & Regulatory Review:
Assimilate all precedent examples and data. Analyze environmental conditions on-site and adjacent. Identify site constraints and opportunities. Identify applicable state, regional and local planning and building codes and constraints.
Schematic Design Concepts Phase
Conceptual Exploration:
Explore options to determine optimal relationships among desired functions and spaces to fulfill the Design Program. Create diagrammatic plans to show circulation routes, key sight lines, and primary functions and features. Present Design Concepts to you for review, revisions and approval.
Preliminary Design Phase
Master Planning:
Refine approved Design Concept(s) into a scaled master plan illustrating locations of hardscape and primary features, styles and types of plants, and proposed materials. Draw elevation views or additional representations as necessary to clearly convey the desired functions, aesthetics and mood of the new landscape. Present Preliminary Design to you for review, revisions and approval.
3D Visualization:
Develop a detailed three-dimensional digital model of the Preliminary Design, including proposed materials, structures, and plants, to provide a realistic preview of the proposed installation. Present you with perspective views and/or virtual walkthrough for review, revisions and approval.
Design Development Phase
Preliminary Estimate Coordination:
Estimate quantities and types of materials comprising the Preliminary Design. Pre-qualify landscape contractors suited to the scope of the project. Solicit, evaluate and compare preliminary construction estimates. Develop value-engineering strategies as needed to accommodate budget or schedule. Present comparison and strategies to you for review, revisions and approval.
Design Development:
Evaluate and select preferred materials, species, fixtures, furnishings, amenities, lighting effects, and other details to fulfill the unique vision of the Preliminary Design. Value-engineer Preliminary Design to budget or schedule as needed. Source vendors and procure samples of materials. Present recommended specifications to you for review, revisions and approval.
Construction Documentation Phase
Permit Coordination:
Anticipate permit requirements. Research additional information that may be required for permit submittals. Coordinate submittals of documentation on your behalf to appropriate building and planning agencies. Assist Contractor in responding to agency requests.
Specialist Consultant(s):
Source, evaluate, retain and coordinate qualified consultants for technical or permit drawings, reports or installation, including soil analysis, WELO, irrigation details, geotechnical, civil engineering and structural engineering.
Working Drawings & Specifications:
Prepare and deliver comprehensive installation drawings including layout, hardscape plans and details, planting plans and details, irrigation hydrozones, and lighting plans. Write specifications for all materials, fixtures and furnishings in the project scope. Finalize all details necessary to accurately bid and build the design. Respond to agency comments and requests for clarifications or revisions. Present Construction Documents to you for review, revisions and approval.
Bidding & Installation Phase
Contractor/Bid Evaluation:
Prepare the bid package of working drawings and specifications. Identify well-qualified landscape contractors. Solicit, evaluate and compare installation bids. Lead walk-through meetings with bidders and respond to bidder requests for information. Communicate with bidders on your behalf.
Installation Support:
Lead kick-off meeting with you and your contractor to ensure alignment of expectations and goals. Observe work-in-progress and support you and your contractor throughout installation to ensure the design intent and objectives are fulfilled through accurate layouts and quality materials. Meet regularly with you and your contractor to identify needs and define next actions. Inspect materials upon delivery for accuracy and quality. Place plants and fixtures for your contractor to install. Update Construction Documents to reflect field revisions.
Amenities Procurement:
Collaborate with you and your contractor to identify, select, purchase and receive plants, furnishings, accessories, and décor to provide the ideal finishing touches for your unique new landscape.
Post-Installation
Final Plans & Specifications Binder:
Prepare and deliver a physical or digital file for your records containing final versions of all drawings, details and specifications, including contract documents, material data sheets, operations manuals, and product warranties.
Personalized Maintenance Guide:
Prepare and deliver a physical or digital guide containing general and specific recommendations for the maintenance of every plant installed in your project.
Quarterly On-sites with Gardener:
Meet on-site with your maintenance provider every three months to discuss final planting, irrigation and lighting plans, observe plant vigor, address concerns and offer solutions, and review best practices for pest management, soil health and irrigation.
Throughout Project
Schedule Tracking & Reporting:
Create and publish current work schedules such as milestones and action steps, Gantt charts, and inventories of assets required, existing and needed. Collaborate with your contractor and consultant(s) to integrate external workflows into project schedule.
Budget Tracking & Reporting:
Calculate and publish current reports of expenses against budget for design fees, materials, consultant fees, and Contractor labor and materials. Analyze potential and actual overages and savings.
Project Administration:
Manage project to ensure success, including additional meetings with you or your representatives, communication via phone or email, travel, meetings with homeowner associations or municipal agencies, visits to vendors, bookkeeping, and document production.