Services and Fees
The Landscape Design Package
These are the drawings that you or a contractor will use to install your new landscape. To learn about the process-- from vague ideas to paper plans--please see The Design Process.
Our first meeting, which I call the Bid Meeting, is always free, although travel charges may apply if you live far from my downtown Santa Cruz office (see Travel Charges, below). At this meeting, we discuss your project and decide how I can help. I then calculate the project fees and go over them with you. I follow up this meeting with a detailed written bid. When you sign the bid, it becomes our contract and work begins.
Most projects involve three meetings with me: the free Bid Meeting, the Preliminary Plan meeting, and the Final Meeting.
Design Fees
Each project is different, based on the size of the area to be redesigned and project complexity. Most project fees are in the range of $3,500 to $5,500 which is a good investment in your home's value.
Hourly Consultation
This is a great idea if you have a small area that needs work or you just need some bright ideas or a second opinion. It also makes a nice gift to a spouse or newlyweds.
First I meet with you onsite for your free Initial Meeting. At this meeting I can tell you if the help you need can be completed within three hours or if it will take additional hours. I follow up this meeting with a bid, and when you accept the bid, we schedule a Consultation.
At the Consultation. I come to your home, discuss your situation and options. I then write up a follow-up report, which might include: a list of decisions we made, alternative ideas and options, plant lists, and/or sketches. It is highly customized to your needs so each report is unique.
(If this is a gift, I have the Initial Meeting with you and the Consultation with the lucky recipient)
Consultation Fees
The Initial Meeting is free (but travel charges may apply, see below).
$450 for the first three hours, additional hours at $110/hour. Minimum three hours. Travel charges apply (see below).
Installation Phase Assistance
If you will be hiring landscape contractors, services may include: bidding assistance, construction observation on your behalf, and final walk-through assistance.
If you are a DIY-er (do-it-yourselfer), services may include: assistance in layout of the hardscape elements, help in selecting the plant specimens, and help with plant placement. Please see Installation Phase Assistance (on The Design Process page) for more information.
Assistance Fees
$110/hour plus travel charges (see below).
Travel Charges
I don't charge my normal, hourly rate for time spent traveling to your house because that wouldn't be fair to you (too high). Instead, I charge a modest car repair/gasoline/time-spent fee, per the chart below.
Your location |
Fee for initial visit (the Bid Meeting) |
Fee for trips thereafter |
| Santa Cruz (City), Capitola |
free |
$2.50/mile* |
| Scotts Valley, Aptos |
$30, refunded if bid is accepted. |
$2.50/mile* |
| Beyond |
$2.50/mile*, refunded if bid is accepted. |
$2.50/mile* |
*round trip, from 101 Cooper Street, Santa Cruz |
