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THE DESIGN PROCESS
Conceptual Design – My conceptual design process begins on your property.
I will ask you questions about your property and how you plan to use it, listening
carefully to your responses. I shall then document your property’s characteristics
and strengths. My designs respond to each site’s unique microclimate and
setting, the surrounding buildings’ architectural style, and of course
the client’s inspirations. In my studio is where the creative process takes
place, developing conceptual plans and researching style images to convey the
design to you. When we meet again, we will review the conceptual design alternatives,
a preliminary budget, and choose a design direction for the next phase of my
work.
Design Development & Documentation – During this design phase, material
choices for paving, fences, pergolas, benches, as well as plant selections are
made and you will be asked to share your thoughts on the major items. Construction
details and design specifications of your landscape project are developed — careful
attention must be made in these documents as these drawings and specifications
direct the contractor how to price and build your landscape project. Then I will
visit plant nurseries to personally select the larger, woody plant materials
that are your landscape’s most important sculptural pieces. Lastly, I will
solicit, compile and review bids from qualified landscape contractors and assist
you in selecting the right choice for implementing your project.
Design Implementation – As your landscape project is installed, I will
be carefully overseeing the progress of and collaborating with your landscape
contractor to ensure that the design intent, budget, material quality, schedule
and our shared expectations are met. Scheduled site visits for construction review,
progress updates and plant material layouts also allow me the opportunity to
provide on-site design solutions for any potential problems as well as take advantage
of unexpected opportunities.
CLIENT ROLE
The client’s role can be an involved as they want and our experience has
seen both ends of the spectrum and everything in between. A couple of suggestions
that we have before our initial consultation (or upon starting the design process)
is to jot down things you like and dislike about your homes or property - think
about the views you have out of your home’s windows as well; the road,
the neighbors, etc., and if you have any magazine cut-outs or personal photos
of landscape or styles that you like, those are helpful as well. Background information
about your property would also be helpful too; topographic survey, plat of survey,
etc. But don’t be concerned if you do not have time to do all the above,
Bergfeld Studio’s job is to ask you questions and listen to your answers,
make critical observations about your property, and walk you through the design
process. This is all in order to develop the best landscape solution that fits
your home and property.
DESIGN FEES
Initial Consultation:
Typically, there is no charge for an initial consultation with Bergfeld Studio.
We believe that we are trying to build a personal relationship with you. And
that relationship starts during the first phone conversation. During the initial
consultation, Bergfeld Studio will meet you at your project site and listen to
your needs and help you by professionally evaluating your design problem.
Please feel free to contact us with your landscape design needs. We would be
happy to learn more about your project.
Phase One - Conceptual Design/Landscape Master Plan:
Bergfeld Studio works on an hourly, not to exceed basis for conceptual design
services (or sometimes called schematic design). In our proposal, we spell out
for you what our design tasks are, the type of design product you will receive
and how much time we anticipate this task taking us. Bergfeld Studio works on
an hourly-not to exceed basis, in other words, you are billed for only the time
spent on your project and we do not exceed the estimated time/cost unless your
approval is received.
Phase Two– Design Development, Construction Documentation, and Bid Period
Phase Three – Construction Implementation and Observation
In consultation with Bergfeld Studio, the Client determines a construction budget
at the end of Phase One. A flat, fixed fee is then used to continue providing
professional services through Phases Two and Three. This design fee is based
on a percentage of the construction budget as well as the complexity of the project
itself.
Phase II - Design Development, Construction Documents and Bid Period: 8-15%
Phase III - Construction Observation and Design Implementation: 4-8% |
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