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Design and Installation

Initial Consultation:

We are happy to meet with you at no charge in our own garden – located in New Brighton, Pennsylvania – if you're considering working with us but are not certain that you want to hire us. We can also work with you by email or by phone to decide whether or not your home is a candidate for a Proper Garden.

*** If you are not local to our area, read about our Remote/Long-Distance Garden Design Service below! ***


Site Visit & Design:

We do not make site visits until you have decided you would like us to design your garden(s). Please allow at least two hours for the preliminary design meeting. We will sit down to discuss your wishes, your tastes and preferences, how you plan to use the area, the amount of time you are willing to invest in the maintenance of the garden, your schedule, etc. For example, if you typically winter in Florida, we might need to plant the latest blooming tulip varieties in your gardens to ensure that you will get to enjoy them. We like to see all of your views of the space, from all floors of the home. We take note of the styles and colors in your interior spaces so that we can be certain to create a garden in harmony with them. Following our meeting, we will take measurements of the space and set a firm date for the delivery of the final design.


Budget and Fee Structure

Following the initial consultation, we will discuss your budget for the garden before any plans are drawn. The tremendous variety of plants, shrubs, and materials available, as well as the unique requirements of each site will determine much of the cost.

For your reference, our installations have ranged anywhere from $7,000 - $40,000.

Design Presentation and Deposits:

We schedule preliminary design sessions in the order in which we receive deposits. We require half down, with the balance being due on the day that the final design is presented. We charge $500 to design each garden room (ex: front, side, or back yard). The design is provided in two weeks, in pencil and on graph paper. It is not three-dimensional.

Gift Certificates:

Beautifully designed and presented Gift Certificates are available in the following denominations:
 
$250 - 2-3 hour private consultation in your garden
$500 - Garden consultation, design, and drawing of one aspect of your building (front, side, or back yard.)
$5,000 - Garden design and installation 
$10,000 - Garden design and installation