+ preliminary consultation

Before starting any work, we offer potential clients a free preliminary consultation. This in person meeting gives us a chance to discuss improvement goals while taking in the feel of the existing landscape. During the meeting, information is collected on the home owner's aesthetic preferences (color, materials, and style), construction budget goals, and any improvements they would like to see in the landscape.

After the meeting, the home owner will be sent a proposal for the design phase of the project. This proposal will establish the project area and outline deliverables to be completed during the design process.

+ design process

After the preliminary consultation, a landscape plan and plant palette will be created based on site conditions, improvements goals, and available construction budget. Once the plan and plant palette are suitably refined, we host a meeting with the home owner to review and adjust the documents as needed to meet the the project's aesthetic and budgetary goals. After the meeting, a packet of design information is sent to the home owner for final approval.

Please note, landscapes that include elements needing approval by local or state agencies (structures, pools, etc.) will require the preparation of additional documents before construction can begin.

Once the design has been finalized and approved, a construction budget and scope of work is created in order to confirm improvement specifics and provide cost estimates for the work. This document is presented in a meeting held at the project site, and is adjusted as needed to meet final budgetary goals. After the meeting, the scope of work is revised to incorporate any desired changes and sent to the home owner for final approval.

+ Design Fees

The cost for landscape design is outlined on the design proposal document and presented as a flat-fee. Depending on the complexity of information to be prepared, design fees typically range from $1,500 - $4,500, and cover the cost of preparing the conceptual landscape plan and supporting documents needed to start the construction process. If additional documents are required to gain agency approval, this information may be prepared at an additional cost corresponding to the complexity of work to be completed.

+ Construction Process

All landscape features from start to finish are personally designed and built by Lindsey Zero, the owner and lead designer of Silver Leaf Landscapes. This method of construction provides a level of quality and continuity between the design and construction phases not offered anywhere else in the Santa Barbara region. When subcontractors are needed to complete specialized features (electrical systems, swimming pools, etc.), Lindsey personally oversees the work to guarantee it is completed to the highest standards of quality.

+ Construction Drawings

Any construction drawings needed to build proposed improvements will be completed as part of the design process. With the exception of features needing more detailed drawings (overhead structures, outdoor kitchens, gas fire pits, etc.) or plan sets to fulfill permit requirements, we are able to build exclusively from the conceptual plan and plant palette developed during the design process.

+ Construction Fees

Landscape construction fees are unique to each project, and vary depending on the size and complexity of features to be installed. Typical project costs range from $25,000 - $200,000 and are determined in collaboration with the home owner during the landscape design process. We always design our projects with a budget in mind, and work hard to help home owners feel confident in their landscape investment.

+ Project Completion

With careful management, we guarantee your plants will perform as expected in the newly constructed landscape. In addition to a comprehensive warranty on all new improvements, we offer post-construction services to inspect landscape health and update irrigation controller settings as plant water demands change. We find that most home owners appreciate this careful follow up, and recommend that all newly installed plants be well tended during their first few months to ensure long term health and vitality.