landscape construction | Madrone Landscape

Your Ideal Landscape: A Step-by-Step Guide

Sep 8, 2023

Plants breathe life into gardens, offering seasonal dynamism. During the spring, radiant flowers blossom, and deciduous trees flaunt lush foliage, only to become stark in winter. This landscape design guide will help you factor in these seasonal shifts for a well-thought-out strategy that beautifully balances the ever-changing nature of plant life.

However, lasting elements like hardscape materials (think concrete, stone), outdoor furniture, pergolas, fire pits, and water features provide a constant backdrop. When harmonized with seasonal plantings, these elements impart a unique ambiance throughout the year.

Wondering how to transition from a bland lawn with deteriorating surroundings to a dream garden space? This landscape design guide will help you.

The initial steps are straightforward; but as you proceed, expertise in design becomes essential. A landscape designer will greatly benefit from your preliminary research and ideas. Investing time in understanding and pinpointing your preferred landscaping styles will refine your design aspirations.

Discover Local Landscaping Styles

Embark on a neighborhood stroll. Bring along a companion to evaluate various landscape styles. Discuss the highs and lows of each design, noting standout plants and materials. Equip yourself with a notebook for jotting points and a smartphone for capturing images. Don’t restrict your exploration to just your immediate neighborhood. Venture further to discover unique architectural and landscape inspirations.

Madrone North County Native Natural Landscape

Gather Digital Inspiration

Following your local exploration, dive into the vast digital world. Platforms like Pinterest, Houzz, Instagram, and HGTV are treasure troves for landscaping ideas. Tailor your online search for region-specific inspirations like California or Mediterranean landscapes, emphasizing drought-resistant or native plants. Familiarize yourself with terms like “xeric” or “ornamental grass” to better communicate with industry professionals.

Craft a Materials Palette

With a collection of inspiration at hand, start categorizing. Separate your finds into:

Character: Character photos contain a mix of elements, including furniture, architecture, vegetation, and landscape. These images are often broad angles and represent a particular style or sense of place.

Hardscape: Hardscape is the structure and backbone of a site—walls, flatwork, fountains, walkways, boulders, rock mulch—anything that is installed once and stays put. Hardscape elements are typically the biggest-ticket items, consistent throughout all seasons, and relate closely to building layout and materials.

Plant Palette: Plants breathe life into a space—yet come with a unique set of opportunities and strengths; not the least of which is need for the proper combination of sun, soil, and water. Taking plant inspiration from the neighborhood is often one of the best ways to find climate-appropriate plant selections. Even so, the microclimates within your property (particularly sun and wind exposure) may differ and affect plant viability. A palette based on the desired look can be combined with some horticultural know-how to develop a specific plant list.

Transition to Professional Collaboration

Having established your materials palette, you’ve laid a solid foundation for your landscape’s transformation. This groundwork has set the stage for the next pivotal phase. While it’s empowering to spearhead the initial steps on your own, partnering with a professional will ensure the fruition of your vision. From this point on, the subsequent steps will be a collaborative effort, where you and the landscape expert work hand in hand. Their expertise will be invaluable in bringing your landscaping dream to life, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.

Madrone Landscape Design Concept Drawing Plan

Develop a Conceptual Plan

Begin the design phase with a precise base map. This should encompass utility locations, existing greenery, and structural details. If unsure, consider hiring expert help. Concept plans broadly represent proposed changes, highlighting primary features.

Sketch Ground-Level Views

Vignettes or sketched views offer a ground-level perspective of your landscape. They provide a tangible feel of the space, supplementing your concept plan. Employ tools like Adobe Photoshop for digital sketches or stick to hand-drawn illustrations.

Delve into 3D Modeling

3D modeling tools, such as Google Sketchup, can elevate your design visualization. With an accurate base map, these tools help in plotting out your envisioned space in three dimensions.

Bring Your Design to Life with Rendering

Photorealistic rendering tools like Lumion offer a tangible glimpse of the potential landscape. By blending 3D models with realistic textures and elements, you get a vivid visualization of your dream garden.

Not everyone might find all steps achievable. But even accomplishing the initial stages can significantly assist landscape designers in realizing your dream. From plan drawings to advanced visualization tools, every stage plays a crucial role in materializing the perfect landscape for you.

Contact Us for an Ideal Landscape

Ready to bring your landscaping vision to life? Connect with our landscape design team today and let’s craft your dream garden together! Reach out at [email protected] or call (805) 466-6263.

All About Design-Build Landscape Construction

Jul 29, 2022

Top tips for a better investment and landscape, from design through construction

What is Design-Build Landscaping?

Design-Build landscaping is exactly how it sounds: one team provides both the design and installation of the landscape, rather than splitting those services between companies. Design-build landscaping is quite common and provides multiple benefits. Unfortunately, a homeowner or building owner will often hire a landscape contractor to install plants and irrigation without design. This is not the ideal scenario. As with any type of building, it is always best to begin with a design.

Why Design-Build?

When the same company performs both design and installation, their professionals work together often and can provide a more seamless delivery. The teamwork involved in the design-build process for landscape construction can add a lot of value to your finished landscape. Often an integration of architects, designers, engineers, and builders, the design-build process takes advantage of professional, licensed experts working together from concept to finished construction. The goal of this integrated process is to fulfill your priorities of landscape design and budget. At Madrone Landscape we believe strongly in the design-build process because the benefits are twofold: it allows us to do incredible work with and build great relationships with both our peers and our clients.

Design-Bid-Build vs. Design-Build: What are the Differences?

Design-Bid-Build: The design-bid-build process is common in the construction industry for clients who want separate design and construction firms. A landscape designer will provide plans for you, and then you will ask contractors to bid the plans. The design can go quickly if there are no cost limitations discussed. Once the contractors provide their costs to install the project, you may be shocked to see how much it will cost to build. This is when you or the contractor decides how to change the design to fit within the construction budget (this process is called value engineering, where items are removed from a plan or less expensive options are chosen to reduce overall cost). You may also go back to the landscape designer to re-design (typically for an extra fee). In design-bid-build, you select a contractor based on the bid price. It then becomes your responsibility to orchestrate all of the design and construction activities – including introducing the contractor to the designer.

Design-Build: At Madrone Landscape, we specialize in the design-build process. Our landscape architect and designers not only help you with the initial design, they also help navigate any obstacles encountered during construction. We provide construction cost estimates during the design process (for more information, see our design page). This usually adds time to the overall design time, for good reason. Knowing construction costs during the design process allows you to make decisions on where to spend money and keeps the plan within the desired budget. A cost-informed design means the value engineering is done well before the project starts. The entire team will be working together with the landscape designer to make sure that there are few unforeseen lapses between designs or construction activities. For new construction, this will include your engineers, architects, and builders. For custom residential updates, your design-build team becomes your expert advocate through design and construction and we handle scheduling and coordination with all parties involved.

Five Tips When Choosing Design-Build Landscaping

1. Know what you need/want before you start.

Often, a client will come to us with a list of items they want designed into their landscape, such as a patio, wall, fountain, or pergola. What they may actually mean is that they need a shady place to entertain guests with pretty things to look at. While your spouse may want a fountain, he or she may appreciate boulders and flowers just as much. When you prioritize your goals before starting design, you can prevent being caught off guard during the design process. Design is almost always a team decision. If you and your family can align your wants and needs before the design starts, the design will turn out better and go more quickly.

2. Establish a construction budget.

Before starting the design process, establish a budget or range for what you intend to spend on construction, and share that information with your designer. This will help them design within range. Typically, the construction cost of landscapes is between 10 to 25 times the design fee, although this may vary.

3. Take your time with budget decisions.

During the beginning of the design process decisions are easy; we refer to this as the honeymoon period. You may find yourself saying, “I love that stone veneer, it looks just like the picture I saw on Houzz!” After construction costs are introduced, major design elements may be on the chopping block. Do you keep the outdoor kitchen, or the stone paving? Allow yourself time, so you don’t rush these decisions.

4. Trust your gut – and your landscape team.

Taking on a big project and the resulting investment of your funds will greatly affect your daily life. You need experts you can trust to help you achieve your goals. If you don’t have a level of trust with your landscape team, the relationship and project will not work. You need to feel comfortable giving them both positive and negative feedback, and they need to feel comfortable giving you good and bad news. Your designer will not only be helping you with the initial design, but also will be helping to navigate any obstacles encountered during construction.

5. Communicate often and clearly.

During design and construction, changes happen. To best facilitate these changes, we will ask a lot of questions to make sure we are designing efficiently. Whether you would like to give us artistic license on decisions, or you have particular opinions that need to be known, it is important you communicate your preferences clearly.

A Better Investment and Landscape

It’s our experience that the design-build process produces a better product with stronger teamwork and a healthy working relationship. The process takes time to do well. Expect two to six months of design before construction for custom residential updates, and often longer for new home or new commercial construction. Being well prepared can shorten this time frame. If you have new construction, you should consider hiring your landscape architect at the same time that you hire an architect. We strongly believe that the design-build relationship you foster with us will make you feel good about the investment and the landscape you create.

Do you have additional questions about the design-build process and its benefits? Email us at [email protected] or give us a call at 805-466-6263.

Five Questions to ask Before Hiring a Landscape Maintenance Contractor

Jun 1, 2022

Top tips for selecting a landscape maintenance team

From weekly or seasonal maintenance to event preparation or landscape enhancements, here are the top questions to ask to ensure you hire a licensed landscape maintenance team who will meet your needs.

1. How long have you been in business? What kind of insurance and licensing do you have?

A company that has been in business ten years or more is likely a reliable, trustworthy contractor. Whether you are a homeowner who needs weekly maintenance or a commercial property owner who needs pest control, check the company’s portfolio to see whether they have expertise on projects like yours.

Madrone Landscape has been in business for over 40 years. We offer weekly gardening services for residential clients in North San Luis Obispo County and estate maintenance for the broader San Luis Obispo County, Northern Santa Barbara County, and Southern Monterey County. We also offer high quality commercial, municipal, and HOA maintenance services for all of San Luis Obispo County.

For additional consideration, ensure that your landscaping company has workers compensation insurance, general liability insurance, bonded workers, and appropriate state licensing. For weed, pest, and disease control, your maintenance contractor will need to be spray certified.

Madrone Landscape has workers compensation insurance and general liability insurance. Our landscape maintenance crews are bonded, and we maintain a California state landscape contractor license.

2. Do you have specialists on staff? What services do you offer?

Professional landscaping firms will employ experts with degrees in landscape architecture and horticulture. They should have expertise in landscape irrigation, as well as a thorough knowledge of the type of plants you have growing in your landscape design.

Homeowners, commercial property owners, and HOAs all require different services for different properties. Ensure the company you hire provides the services you require. Traditionally, maintenance projects may include mowing and editing, irrigation repair, fertilizing, dead-heading, and mulching. Larger projects may need specialized maintenance at different intervals throughout the year. Consider whether you need seasonal maintenance, event preparation, and/or regular landscape enhancement.

3. How do your maintenance crews practice sustainability? Do you offer alternatives to chemicals?

If sustainability is important to you, be sure to ask about alternatives to fertilizer and chemicals. Companies at the forefront of landscaping will employ methods such as compost tea fertilizer, integrated pest management, and organic fertilizers, ensuring your yard is a safe and healthy place for your family.

At Madrone Landscape, we are known for sustainable practices. We focus on plant health and the effective use of water. Our Healthy Gardens program introduces organic methods to fertilizer and weed, pest, and disease control.

4. Can you provide us with an estimate? How do you communicate with clients?

A professional landscape contractor will provide you an estimate tailored to your individual needs. After visiting your project and listening to your wants and requirements, they will ask you questions to determine your exact needs.

Once you’ve accepted your estimate, your contract ensures you know what to expect on each visit, from weekly maintenance to seasonal maintenance, plant replacement, and irrigation repairs.

At Madrone Landscape, each contract is different—just like each project. Madrone Landscape provides a customized written estimate for each project. Once we’ve discussed your estimate, we put together a landscape maintenance contract specifically for you. Our Maintenance Manager, Coner Boaen, is the one point of contact for our maintenance clients.

Check with your landscape maintenance contractor to see whether they will have an account manager assigned to you. Will they call you to schedule appointments, or simply send notices in your invoice?

5. Will you provide references?

In addition to checking Yelp to see how the company ranks, ask for references, including addresses. Check the properties to see if they are maintained at the level you expect for your own property, whether residential or commercial. Madrone Landscape recently was awarded “Top-rated Local” for ranking in the top-five landscape companies in the state for customer satisfaction.

We are happy to provide a list of references for you to call and testimonials for your review!

Do you have additional questions? Call us at the office and ask for Coner Boaen, Maintenance Manager at (805) 466-6263.

On the Boards: Modern Family Retreat

Apr 10, 2022

With a modern design style, this family retreat features patio spaces, a deck, fireplace, water feature, lawn, play area, hot tub, retaining walls, and railing.

The main vision for this Paso Robles landscape design was to create terraced levels to accommodate family and entertain guests. This was naturally achieved using the landscape’s significant slope, which simultaneously introduced challenges and invited the opportunity for both integrated and distinctly separate spaces. With retaining walls in place and a design featuring railings and gates for the safety of children, we prioritized creating a secure design without sacrificing beauty and the natural aesthetics of the landscape.

The entertainment patio is tucked into a transitional space between an upper play area and lower deck. A fireplace and water weir feature frame two of its sides leaving it open on the third side to views of a native oak woodland.

The landscape’s functional and striking modern style was created using clean lines and uniform design elements such as concrete, cable rails, and a simple plant palette.

On the Boards: Atascadero Oasis

Feb 15, 2022

Designed to succeed in the Atascadero climate, this Mediterranean-style oasis provides ample space for play, multi-functional entertainment features, and the tropical airs of the lush plant selections. The 7,000 SF design-build project is shaping up to be an inviting retreat for family and friends.

Its multi-purpose entertainment spaces include a pool, fire feature, outdoor kitchen, and reduced-footprint lawn that transitions to a patio. The custom kiva fireplace wall is built to warm colder nights and cozy up the recessed seating area just past the pool and mountable movie projector screen. The outdoor kitchen and bar seating make for picture-perfect socializing and party hosting.

Chock-full of fun elements and smooth transitions, this thoughtful and cohesive landscape is sure to be a delightful retreat for both family and guests.

Interested in talking to us about your landscape design? Contact our team at [email protected] or (805) 466-6263.

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