Question
I want to be able to install my landscape in phases. Should I have the design done in phases as well or all at once?
Answer
Many of our clients opt to install their gardens in phases but we always recommend getting a master plan completed before starting on the installation. Having a master plan ensures you have a cohesive design and vision for your entire property. It’s important for both your designer and contractor (along with anyone else who may work on the property) to have access to the master plan as it helps with the bidding process, coordinating phasing, installation expectations, material/product ordering, scheduling, resources, and care & maintenance of the finished landscape.
When a client knows they will be phasing their project, there are several things we can do in the design stage that will prevent the final installation from feeling piecemealed together. This process starts with a full property baseplan that takes all the existing site conditions and elements into account. As we start on your concept designs, having an accurate baseplan gives us a complete understanding of the property to be able to segment the project for phasing in the most efficient way. Some of the elements we look for are existing fence lines, building placements, and your preference for wanting certain areas installed first. Knowing this information helps us create transitions between hardscaping elements and planting areas that can be divided easily and efficiently.
Having multiple patio spaces is a common design element especially for entertaining but it might not be in the budget to do all of it in one go. Having a planting bed between patio spaces allows for a natural division point. Gravel paths can be combined with flagstones or paver steppers at key transition points (fence lines, lawn areas, planting beds, etc) so a partial path can be installed for access even when the remaining landscape hasn’t been completed. Hardscaping is also how we typically divide up phases for plant material as well. A walkway is an easy place to draw a line for what will or won’t be included in the current installation phase without plants getting trampled in the following phases.
While most materials can be installed in phases, there are a few that are more cost effective to do all at once. This includes things like concrete, retaining walls, and lawn spaces. Due to how concrete is installed, it makes more sense to pour it in one phase, if possible, to avoid cold joints and avoid paying for the cost of crew & equipment mobilization multiple times. Retaining walls, no matter the material used, involves some amount of excavating, grading, and base preparations. To avoid previous work getting torn out or needing to be re-done, it’s best to install retaining walls all in one piece. If you have multiple retaining walls proposed that are not connected to each other, those may be possible to break up into phases depending on location and slopes. Lawn space should also be completed in one phase because grading and soil work needs to be completed before sod or seed can be laid down. Like retaining walls, if you have multiple lawn spaces, they can be broken up into phases as long as future construction efforts are taken into account so your new lawn doesn’t get ruined by necessary equipment access (ie, a front yard lawn should wait to be completed until all backyard construction is complete). In general, any landscape element or material that requires a specific sequence to install is better to install altogether rather than breaking it up. Creating a master plan that can be segmented by material and/or labor is one of the ways we can ensure each phase of your project is as close to your budget and phasing goals as possible.
When should I start my design?
Getting us involved as early as possible is always going to yield the best results. Even if you’re still in the design phase with your architect, bringing us on board can be helpful for siting your home and other things like septic drainfields and working around environmentally sensitive areas. When we start the master plan early on, we can coordinate with your architect and interior designer on material selections for the outdoor spaces along with budgeting and phasing based on the construction timeline of your home.
What if I want to make changes to my master plan?
As the first phase of your project gets installed, you may realize that you need an extra pathway to a viewpoint, or you need a covered structure over a patio space. We recognize that wants and needs change over time as the space does and a master plan is never closed to revisions. We can always update your master plan as your project progresses. On larger properties especiallt, it’s a great idea to revisit the master plan after each phase of installation to make sure that your goals are being met. This may include revisions or additions to hardscaping, planting areas, lighting, material selections, or all of the above.
A master plan is your best way to maximize efficiency of phasing, so you don’t have to undo anything to move onto the next step of your project. While a master plan may sound daunting, we coach and collaborate with you through the entire process (from design to installation) so it doesn’t feel overwhelming. We love designing gardens that are meant to shift and evolve with your family and a master plan is the perfect starting point to creating an outdoor gathering space that you’ll enjoy for years to come.
As school starts and summer comes to a close, now is the best time to start on your master plan so you can enjoy your garden next summer. To read more about what goes into the development of a master plan, you can check out our previous post about it here. If you’re ready to get started, you can fill out our new client questionnaire here.
~Colleen
