Client Tips
Over the years I have found the following to be helpful guidelines for creating a relaxing, efficient and pleasing project for all concerned.- Start by picking the best designer your can find. A good design will insure that your money is spent well, gaining you more resale value, beauty, functionality and ease of maintenance for each dollar invested. It is probably the most important decision you will make.
- If you are new to landscaping I highly recommend "Successfully Landscaping Your Marin Home." If it does not save you money and give you value, return it for a refund (It also includes coupons from places I shop that will save you more money than the book costs).
- Think carefully about what is most important to you before you begin. Changes can be expensive and frustrating - best to avoid them when possible. Our questionnaire will help you clarify what you want up front when changes are free.
- The most pleasing and functional gardens begin with an overall plan. Before spending thousands on little pieces that may need to get re-done later, invest a few hundred dollars to begin with an overall plan that you can implement in stages if you cannot do it all at once.
- Spend time cutting out pictures from magazines and noticing what exactly you like about other gardens in the neighborhood. Self awareness is often the best preparation for getting what you want.
- If you like another garden and wish to copy it, let go of your attachment to the exact form. What is perfect for that garden will need to be adapted to be perfect for yours.
- Consider using smart irrigation timer, with an on-site weather station. This can save an average of 30% of irrigation water costs every year and earn you rebates on your water bill. The best part is that you can then walk away from your timer, not worrying when to turn it on or off or adjust zone times ever again!
- Mulching your soil with 2-3 inches of bark or other soil coverings will cut back on weeds by over 50%, hide irrigation lines and conserve 30% of water by insulating the soil from the sun. It also provides food for worms and erosion control - one of your best soil investments.
- There are generally savings of as much as 30% for installing an entire landscape at one time rather than breaking it down into stages. While implementing a good design in stages is better than implementing a poor design right away that does not meet your needs, the discount I often pass on to clients who do whole-landscape projects plus the savings of what has been an average of 7% inflation in landscape material costs per year can add up to a considerable amount. If you do break it up, ask how to do so to save money.
- If money is an issue, buying smaller plants is one of the best areas to save without compromising the overall design. A four inch plant costs two dollars and another to install. A one gallon plant costs eight dollars and two dollars to install. That's a 300% increase for just six months of waiting.
Dane taches classes on Landscape Design and other subjects through www.MarinLearn.com.
He also writes periodic articles for the Sonoma County Gazette including:
"Dane seems to love creating a beautiful world and sharing his knowledge. He has a special talent for listening, and his commitment and reliability are outstanding."
S. Worsley and B. Fitzgerald
We also do landscape design and installation in Mill Valley, landscape design and installation in Corte Madera, landscape design and installation in San Rafael, landscape design and installation in Novato, landscape design and installation in Larkspur, landscape design and installation in San Anselmo, landscape design and installation in Tiburon. Marin Landscape Designer and Marin Landscape Architect.
