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Design Services
The Importance of Design …
Most homeowners only have the opportunity to plan out a yard two or three times in their lives. This doesn’t offer most people the chance to explore the range of possibilities available today for creating beautiful outdoor living spaces.
 A professional landscape design can help expand your horizons and present you with exciting and innovative possibilities for your outdoor space. It can also help address any challenges that the site presents and help eliminate complications during the construction phase.
The design process allows you to see and consider your options, express your personal style and preferences and ensure that the final result will suit your needs and lifestyle as well as compliment your space and respect the natural environment.
At Yards Unlimited we offer a range of design services.
Consultation
A consultation is an on-site meeting where we discuss the scope of your project and the potential of the site. In most cases this will also include a sketch of a portion of the site that we have discussed. If you only need advice for a limited space, or to tackle a specific issue, a consultation may be all that you require. Our consultations are an approximately an hour to an hour and a half in length and are a flat rate of $125 (+ HST) within the Ottawa area.
If you are working toward a more extensive revision of your space a consultation can become the first of the three meetings that make up a complete the design service.
Design
Most of the residential projects which we build are based on design drawings. A design drawing thoroughly describes the site and the project, but does not include the level of detail found on building permit drawings. For most projects a design drawing is sufficient for construction.
The design service that we provide is usually divided up over three meetings.
At the first meeting we discuss what your plans or goals are, the type of space which appeals to you, and any challenges or opportunities provided by the site conditions. We also measure and photograph the site.
At the second meeting a preliminary layout plan, based on the discussions at the initial meeting, is presented, along with a proposed plant list, and recommendations for any hard materials which are to be included in the project. Adjustments to the design can be made at this meeting to ensure that the final design will meet your needs.
At the final meeting we present a completed design plan, which incorporates any revisions that were made at the second meeting, along with a detailed planting layout and general construction notes. We also provide a plant care list with pictures and maintenance information.
The fees are set once we have had a chance to see the property and speak with you about your needs. We will also provide a proposal with costs for Yards Unlimited to install your project.
Construction and Permit Drawings
Some projects, either because they require a building permit, or because they have complicated custom features, require additional detailed construction drawings.
One of our designers is certified under the Ontario Building Code to produce building permit drawings for decks and other accessory building projects and we can provide detailed fabrication and construction drawings as required. The need for and the cost of these drawings is generally discussed at the beginning of the design process.
At Yards Unlimited we will work with you to create a design that meets your personal needs and reflects your lifestyle.
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