Why a little prep goes a long way
A consultation is most useful when it’s a conversation about priorities, not a first introduction to the property. You don’t need a finished vision — that’s what the design process is for — but a rough sense of what you want out of the space saves everyone a second visit.
Before The Visit
What to think through
How you use the space
Daily use — morning coffee, kids, pets — matters as much as the occasional big gathering. Both are worth mentioning.
A rough budget comfort zone
You don’t need an exact number, but a ballpark range helps shape realistic options instead of a design you’d have to scale back later.
Timeline
Is this for a specific event, or whenever it comes together? Both are fine — it just changes how we sequence the work.
What To Have Ready
Worth pulling together beforehand
- A few photos of the space in different light — morning and afternoon sun exposure tells us a lot
- Your HOA’s design guidelines, if you have one, especially around plant lists and structures
- Rough measurements if you have them — helpful, but not required; we’ll measure properly on site
- Any utility locate information if you’ve had it done recently, or we’ll arrange it as part of the process
- Examples of spaces you like — a photo, even from a different climate, communicates more than a description
Questions Worth Asking
What to ask whoever you hire
- How do you handle drainage and grading, not just what goes on top?
- What’s the plan for the first season after installation — who’s watering, and how often?
- What happens if something doesn’t establish — is there a follow-up plan?
- How do you sequence a project if I want to phase it over a couple of seasons?
Our own design & installation process and patio process pages walk through how we answer these.
Start your project
Tell us about your outdoor space
Share a few details about the property and what you’d like to change. We’ll come back with the questions that matter and an honest view of what the work involves.
Demonstration site — the estimate form is a working interface that intentionally sends nothing.