Landscape Design Process

Grimm’s Gardens is dedicated to beautifying the rural areas of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Iowa.  Therefore, we offer a variety of services to our customers who are interested in adding some landscaping.

Full Landscape Plan

To have a landscape without all the sweat that goes into it, consider a full plan and have Grimm’s Gardens take care of the installation.  This is also the option for the Do-It-Yourselfers who want a more concrete plan to work off of as well as time with a professional designer.

Price: $250-$300. (Refund option available for all but initial $50)

Things to bring:

• Our designer will meet you at your house or business.
• Please share any pictures you have collected of landscapes you like or ideas you would like to incorporate.

 

What you will get:

• Quality Time with a design professional at your house or business. You reap the benefit of the knowledge and experience that our designers have.  You get the chance to show our designer your dreams for your landscape, your favorite spots in your yard, and things you would like to change.
• Comprehensive Landscape Plan. This is a CAD plan that shows where each plant is to be planted as well as the size of each area.  (If you are visual, you can measure the landscaped areas and then spray paint where each part would be.)
• Images of the finished landscape. We take pictures of your landscape and use our software to add plants and other features to YOUR HOUSE!  This is not some generic picture, it is actually your own house.  This will help you visualize all that is on the CAD plan to help make good decisions.  Plan includes one image.  Additional images are $25 each.
• Complete Estimate. This breaks down what is in your landscape piece by piece.  Be sure to take some time to look through this and understand what all is going into your landscape.  There are a few pieces that are hard to show in a plan such as drip irrigation being installed.  The estimate has every material that we will use as well as the labor to complete the project.  It is broken up into phases so that it is easy to start with one or two pieces this year and continue the project later.  If you are going to install yourself, this will be your ‘grocery list’ with all the materials you will need.
• Free Changes within reason to the design or estimate that do not affect the design fee.

 

Process:

1. Call Grimm’s and speak with a designer. We will go over fees and you will be added to our design list.  While you are waiting on the list, be collecting pictures of landscapes you like or want to incorporate to your landscape.  One great tool is Houzz.com.  They have a wealth of ideas.  Our designer will call to schedule an appointment when you are next on the list.
2. We will meet at your home. (Be sure to show the pictures that you have collected!) Our designer will visit with you about the landscape, and then walk the property with you.  Finally the designer will take the measurements needed and some pictures and return to the office.
3. Our designer spends a few weeks working on your design and estimate. The completed plan is emailed to you.
4. We meet at the garden center to go over the plan.  At this appointment, you will be shown examples of plants and materials that are in your plan.  We are able to discuss any questions or concerns you have and make any changes to the design and estimate.  The designer continues to work with you through any changes until you are happy with the plan.
5. Send in a deposit of 1/3 of the total project to secure a spot on our installation calendar.
6. The plan is installed!  Our designers will also follow up the next spring (May/June) to see how the plants are doing and take care of any replacements needed.

 

Refund Option: Those who have us install part or all of their plan will receive a portion of the design fee as a refund off the final bill.  Those who choose to DIY will receive a 10% off discount card for any materials purchased at Grimm’s Gardens up to that same portion of the design fee.  This expires in a year.

Small Landscape Image

If you want advice from our Professional Designers but only have a small area, this is a good option.  You email us information about the area and we send you a quick sketch or image and a rough estimate. It does not work well for large projects.

Price: $25 per Image or Sketch

Things to email:

• Pictures of the area to be landscaped. Some close up and some far away are beneficial.
• Measurements of the area (to the nearest half foot). To get the best advice, know the length and width of the area, as well as about how high all the windows (or other important objects) are.
• Side of house it is on (North, South, East…)
• Approximate # of hours of sunlight it receives.
• Knowledge of the soil/water – Are there areas where water pools for hours? Does the ground get hard and crack in the summer? Is it under a tree or eave where it won’t get as much water?

 

What you will get:

• 1-2 Images or Sketches of what your landscape would look like. (Images & Sketches are $25 each)
• Rough estimate of materials needed with costs.  These estimates are only approximations. Actual materials and labor costs are subject to change.

Landscape Suggestions

For the Do-It-Yourselfers on a budget, we have trained garden center staff (not our Landscape Designers) that can help you pick out plants for the area you want landscaped.  Just stop into any of our locations and ask for some plant ideas.

Price: $0

Things to bring:

• Pictures of the area to be landscaped.
• Pictures of landscape ideas you like.
• Measurements of the area. To get the best advice, know the length and width of the area, as well as about how high all the windows (or other important objects) are.
• Side of house it is on (North, South, East…)
• Approximate # of hours of sunlight it receives.
• Knowledge of the soil/water – Are there areas where water pools for hours? Does the ground get hard and crack in the summer? Is it under a tree or eave where it won’t get as much water?

 

What you will get:

• Shown several plant choices that will grow in the conditions you have.
• A chance to ask questions on how to install.
• Opportunity to purchase any materials you need to complete the project (plants, mulch, compost, edging, etc.)

Return to Landscape Design Page.