Chris & Terrie's Approach
to
The 4 PHASES OF LANDSCAPING
* CONSULTATION *
* DESIGN *
* INSTALLATION *
* MAINTENANCE *
PHASE 1: THE CONSULTATION
The first step to any "good" renovation plan is knowing where you're heading. A "yard map", if you will.
In this very important preliminary stage, we, the designers will spend an hour or so with you, in order to determine and understand your needs and visions, and how best to achieve this, and meld the two together to create the best outcome possible for you and your family's lifestyle.
This is where you get to ask all the questions you want, which will help you come to a conclusion on how to further proceed to achieve your goal. You may have some ideas in mind, or you may be looking for ideas from us. Either way, we will help you to move forward, with a very good general plan in mind.
A 1-hour consultation is $100 but this fee is waived if you hire us to create the computerized design of your site. Design costs vary and depend on the size of the area and the complexity of the desired results.
If all you want is some guidance to give you the kick start you need to proceed on your own, we are happy to spend that time with you and will strive to answer as many questions as possible.
By the time we leave, you will have a much better vision and understanding what your next steps might be. A consultation gives you peace of mind of finally having a plan in mind, as opposed to the head-scratching that most home-owners go through, especially after a long winter!
Let us be your guide! Don't waste any more time wondering; rather, look forward to having a professional designer provide you with proper direction and be done with it already! Sit back, relax, and wait for the meeting.
In the meantime, you can get in line during the busy landscaping season, especially in spring and early summer, by filling out the form below to secure a meeting time. Or, you can give us a call, shoot us a text, or write us an email. Get in the queue asap because as you know, the seasons are short in these parts of the province. That's why booking your consultation is your first and most important step to getting to point B.
The first step to any "good" renovation plan is knowing where you're heading. A "yard map", if you will.
In this very important preliminary stage, we, the designers will spend an hour or so with you, in order to determine and understand your needs and visions, and how best to achieve this, and meld the two together to create the best outcome possible for you and your family's lifestyle.
This is where you get to ask all the questions you want, which will help you come to a conclusion on how to further proceed to achieve your goal. You may have some ideas in mind, or you may be looking for ideas from us. Either way, we will help you to move forward, with a very good general plan in mind.
A 1-hour consultation is $100 but this fee is waived if you hire us to create the computerized design of your site. Design costs vary and depend on the size of the area and the complexity of the desired results.
If all you want is some guidance to give you the kick start you need to proceed on your own, we are happy to spend that time with you and will strive to answer as many questions as possible.
By the time we leave, you will have a much better vision and understanding what your next steps might be. A consultation gives you peace of mind of finally having a plan in mind, as opposed to the head-scratching that most home-owners go through, especially after a long winter!
Let us be your guide! Don't waste any more time wondering; rather, look forward to having a professional designer provide you with proper direction and be done with it already! Sit back, relax, and wait for the meeting.
In the meantime, you can get in line during the busy landscaping season, especially in spring and early summer, by filling out the form below to secure a meeting time. Or, you can give us a call, shoot us a text, or write us an email. Get in the queue asap because as you know, the seasons are short in these parts of the province. That's why booking your consultation is your first and most important step to getting to point B.
PHASE 2: DESIGNING YOUR SPACE
Believe it or not, the most important phase of landscaping is the design itself. The "shotgun" approach is not recommended under any circumstance, for more reasons than one.
It may seem, at the time, like a good idea to pounce on a great deal on some attractive plant materials or treelings at the local garden centre, as their stock is depleting in July and the staff is marking down their stock in preparation of dismantling the temporary structures. You know... ? ... those pop-up gardens that got us sooo very excited when they made their first appearance at the end of a long, cold winter?!!
Truth be told - ask any new homeowner who is staring blankly at the mish-mash overgrown and intertwined plants, shrubs and trees - the "shotgun" approach is nothing short of a future headache and extra expense for existing and new owners alike.
The vast majority of the incredibly beautiful yards you see when you're driving past them (in utter envy), have very likely been developed in stages, by experienced professionals in the field of horticulture and landscape design.
This is where "My Beautiful Yard"'s post-secondary certification, as well as decades of hands-on experience, both on a professional and personal level, come into play for you. We can design your yard to suit you and your family's needs and wants, whether it's residential or seasonal. We can also transform your company's grounds into an inviting space for you, your staff, and most importantly, your clients. There's definitely something to be said for curb appeal too! It's a very effective way of boosting the value of your property when done correctly.
We are proud to say we have been designing and installing landscapes for more than 40 years combined. Both graduates from
the Horticulture Technician program at Cambrian College in Sudbury in the mid 90's, together, we have been creating and working in this field, ever since.
We are able to instantly visualize the incredible transformation of your property the moment we step foot in your yard. We will use these visions, along with your own, to come up with a plan that best suits YOUR needs and YOUR budget.
After purchasing the initial draft design, you will have several opportunities to see your before and after computer-simulated designs, utilizing real-time photos superimposed onto the actual photos we will take with our camera. You will also receive a plan that will give you a perfect "bird's eye view" of the design. You will have an incredible visual before it even happens!
Once we present you with the final version of your design, you will have ONE of TWO important choices to make:
Option #1: You are charged only for the design itself, including two versions of your blueprints (hard copy and digital), all plant lists, and the "Before & After" photo album. Those are yours to keep, no matter what.
Option #2: If you wish to hire "My Beautiful Yard" for Phase II (the installation) of your landscaping project, your pre-paid design fee will be deducted from your final invoice (cost of installation - excluding materials and taxes). Yes, it will be free with the installation! See Phase II below to find out what that phase entails.
Having these two separate options allows you to have complete control over what you want to accomplish within your budget. Choose the one that is right for you.
Believe it or not, the most important phase of landscaping is the design itself. The "shotgun" approach is not recommended under any circumstance, for more reasons than one.
It may seem, at the time, like a good idea to pounce on a great deal on some attractive plant materials or treelings at the local garden centre, as their stock is depleting in July and the staff is marking down their stock in preparation of dismantling the temporary structures. You know... ? ... those pop-up gardens that got us sooo very excited when they made their first appearance at the end of a long, cold winter?!!
Truth be told - ask any new homeowner who is staring blankly at the mish-mash overgrown and intertwined plants, shrubs and trees - the "shotgun" approach is nothing short of a future headache and extra expense for existing and new owners alike.
The vast majority of the incredibly beautiful yards you see when you're driving past them (in utter envy), have very likely been developed in stages, by experienced professionals in the field of horticulture and landscape design.
This is where "My Beautiful Yard"'s post-secondary certification, as well as decades of hands-on experience, both on a professional and personal level, come into play for you. We can design your yard to suit you and your family's needs and wants, whether it's residential or seasonal. We can also transform your company's grounds into an inviting space for you, your staff, and most importantly, your clients. There's definitely something to be said for curb appeal too! It's a very effective way of boosting the value of your property when done correctly.
We are proud to say we have been designing and installing landscapes for more than 40 years combined. Both graduates from
the Horticulture Technician program at Cambrian College in Sudbury in the mid 90's, together, we have been creating and working in this field, ever since.
We are able to instantly visualize the incredible transformation of your property the moment we step foot in your yard. We will use these visions, along with your own, to come up with a plan that best suits YOUR needs and YOUR budget.
After purchasing the initial draft design, you will have several opportunities to see your before and after computer-simulated designs, utilizing real-time photos superimposed onto the actual photos we will take with our camera. You will also receive a plan that will give you a perfect "bird's eye view" of the design. You will have an incredible visual before it even happens!
Once we present you with the final version of your design, you will have ONE of TWO important choices to make:
Option #1: You are charged only for the design itself, including two versions of your blueprints (hard copy and digital), all plant lists, and the "Before & After" photo album. Those are yours to keep, no matter what.
Option #2: If you wish to hire "My Beautiful Yard" for Phase II (the installation) of your landscaping project, your pre-paid design fee will be deducted from your final invoice (cost of installation - excluding materials and taxes). Yes, it will be free with the installation! See Phase II below to find out what that phase entails.
Having these two separate options allows you to have complete control over what you want to accomplish within your budget. Choose the one that is right for you.
PHASE 3: THE INSTALLATION
Whether it's our design, your personal design, or someone else's, our sole mission is to install your new project, and see it to completion with the utmost attention to detail every step of the way, ensuring the best possible outcome. We promise to treat your property as if it were our own, with 100% pride and care because quite frankly, it is the only way we know how to operate. There is no other way to be. Our motto is "Do it right the first time, or don't do it at all".
Taking shortcuts has never worked in any business and we were taught by the best, not only by our parents but as mature students in college.
Depending on the scale of the project, we will install the following:
PLANTSCAPING: flower beds, shrubs, trees, containers and window-boxes, raised-gardens, herb gardens, rock gardens, bulbs, etc.
HARDSCAPING: stone and organic mulching, grading, sodding, lockstone, flagstone, patio stones, walkways, borders, concrete planters, fire pits, Manitoulin rockery, ponds, etc.
ACCESSORIES: water-fountains, custom-built Manitoulin-cedar planters/ rail-fencing, arbours, etc.
We use only the best soil amendment mixture possible, which we refer to as "our secret recipe". Good soil is the foundation of every beautiful yard and the goal is always to preserve water as much as possible by utilizing the proper plant material and mulch for that particular site. We wholeheartedly believe in good mulching practices and the use of quality landscape fabric to reduce weeds for as long as possible. Ask us about our miracle mulch... that we call "red gold". It's an application that can give you up to 5 years with very little weed growth.
SUB-CONTRACTING: If a certain job is out of our league or we do not have the time or resources to do it ourselves, we will hire a sub-contractor as per our contractual agreement or you can hire your own.
We will work tirelessly for as long as it takes, every day, in order to complete your installation. We do not bounce from site to site, unless there is a significant wait time or backorder regarding the materials that are to be delivered at the job site.
Our goal is to serve YOU from start to finish, until we, and you, the customer, are both 100% satisfied with the results.
Whether it's our design, your personal design, or someone else's, our sole mission is to install your new project, and see it to completion with the utmost attention to detail every step of the way, ensuring the best possible outcome. We promise to treat your property as if it were our own, with 100% pride and care because quite frankly, it is the only way we know how to operate. There is no other way to be. Our motto is "Do it right the first time, or don't do it at all".
Taking shortcuts has never worked in any business and we were taught by the best, not only by our parents but as mature students in college.
Depending on the scale of the project, we will install the following:
PLANTSCAPING: flower beds, shrubs, trees, containers and window-boxes, raised-gardens, herb gardens, rock gardens, bulbs, etc.
HARDSCAPING: stone and organic mulching, grading, sodding, lockstone, flagstone, patio stones, walkways, borders, concrete planters, fire pits, Manitoulin rockery, ponds, etc.
ACCESSORIES: water-fountains, custom-built Manitoulin-cedar planters/ rail-fencing, arbours, etc.
We use only the best soil amendment mixture possible, which we refer to as "our secret recipe". Good soil is the foundation of every beautiful yard and the goal is always to preserve water as much as possible by utilizing the proper plant material and mulch for that particular site. We wholeheartedly believe in good mulching practices and the use of quality landscape fabric to reduce weeds for as long as possible. Ask us about our miracle mulch... that we call "red gold". It's an application that can give you up to 5 years with very little weed growth.
SUB-CONTRACTING: If a certain job is out of our league or we do not have the time or resources to do it ourselves, we will hire a sub-contractor as per our contractual agreement or you can hire your own.
We will work tirelessly for as long as it takes, every day, in order to complete your installation. We do not bounce from site to site, unless there is a significant wait time or backorder regarding the materials that are to be delivered at the job site.
Our goal is to serve YOU from start to finish, until we, and you, the customer, are both 100% satisfied with the results.
PHASE 4: MAINTENANCE
When "My Beautiful Yard" is hired to do your design and installation, we will do everything in our power to assure it is the lowest maintenance possible. Contrary to what some people believe, "maintenance free" landscaping does NOT exist but "low maintenance" does. "My Beautiful Yard" strives to create the best low-maintenance designs, choose the best, hardy, native plants whenever possible, the best soil amendments (our secret recipe), and the best mulching options for your project.
We do this to ensure that you will enjoy your beautiful yard for years to come, without feeling compelled to spend hours upon hours trying to keep it looking great.
If you wish to hire us to do your maintenance, whether it's only once or twice a year, or on an ongoing basis, we are happy to help. Our future plan is devise a tier-based maintenance model which will allow you to purchase a package ahead of time with the ultimate goal of keeping you on target all year long without having to remember to call us and set up appointments. Sign up for a membership on our website (COMING SOON) to stay abreast of new developments and additions to our services.
Here is a partial list of the tasks involved in regular maintenance:
- spring cleanup
- debris removal
- organic pest/disease ID and control
- tilling beds
- pruning (shrubs and trees)
- cutting back (perennnials)
- dividing and transplanting
- relocating plants (perennials, shrubs, trees)
- raking
- weeding
- deadheading
- watering
- fertilizing
- soil amendment/topping
- aerating'
- reshaping
- mulching
- grass-cutting (in some instances)
- edge-trimming
- more
Some people love these tasks as it can be very therapeutic to be "one with nature", while others do not find it to be a gratifying experience at all, or they do not have the luxury of all the extra time it takes to keep the yard beautifully manicured and in good health.
Whether we installed your design or not, we are happy to work for you even if all you need is some yard maintenance, as a one-time deal, or on a regular basis, or just from time to time. Minimum fees apply.
It is worthy to keep in mind that the longer you go without consistently pruning plants, shrubs and trees the proper way, the more it will cost you in the long run to get it back to its original, natural, healthy state. Not only can it take a long time to prune an overgrown shrub/tree correctly, but neglected plant materials are prone to pests and disease when ignored for any period of time.
Sometimes just a year or two can put you right back! Just ask the new homeowner who has inherited someone else's unorganized and overgrown 'plant party'. It can become quite daunting, as it is very easy to become overwhelmed if you do not have a green thumb or don't have the time. To avoid that downfall over time, it is definitely best practice to keep up (weekly or bi-weekly) with the most basic tasks the whole season long, or at least until it is the right time for us to intervene. We will be happy to (literally) take a load off your back so you can enjoy the simple things in life, such as spending time with friends and family, or that new hammock you just bought!
When "My Beautiful Yard" is hired to do your design and installation, we will do everything in our power to assure it is the lowest maintenance possible. Contrary to what some people believe, "maintenance free" landscaping does NOT exist but "low maintenance" does. "My Beautiful Yard" strives to create the best low-maintenance designs, choose the best, hardy, native plants whenever possible, the best soil amendments (our secret recipe), and the best mulching options for your project.
We do this to ensure that you will enjoy your beautiful yard for years to come, without feeling compelled to spend hours upon hours trying to keep it looking great.
If you wish to hire us to do your maintenance, whether it's only once or twice a year, or on an ongoing basis, we are happy to help. Our future plan is devise a tier-based maintenance model which will allow you to purchase a package ahead of time with the ultimate goal of keeping you on target all year long without having to remember to call us and set up appointments. Sign up for a membership on our website (COMING SOON) to stay abreast of new developments and additions to our services.
Here is a partial list of the tasks involved in regular maintenance:
- spring cleanup
- debris removal
- organic pest/disease ID and control
- tilling beds
- pruning (shrubs and trees)
- cutting back (perennnials)
- dividing and transplanting
- relocating plants (perennials, shrubs, trees)
- raking
- weeding
- deadheading
- watering
- fertilizing
- soil amendment/topping
- aerating'
- reshaping
- mulching
- grass-cutting (in some instances)
- edge-trimming
- more
Some people love these tasks as it can be very therapeutic to be "one with nature", while others do not find it to be a gratifying experience at all, or they do not have the luxury of all the extra time it takes to keep the yard beautifully manicured and in good health.
Whether we installed your design or not, we are happy to work for you even if all you need is some yard maintenance, as a one-time deal, or on a regular basis, or just from time to time. Minimum fees apply.
It is worthy to keep in mind that the longer you go without consistently pruning plants, shrubs and trees the proper way, the more it will cost you in the long run to get it back to its original, natural, healthy state. Not only can it take a long time to prune an overgrown shrub/tree correctly, but neglected plant materials are prone to pests and disease when ignored for any period of time.
Sometimes just a year or two can put you right back! Just ask the new homeowner who has inherited someone else's unorganized and overgrown 'plant party'. It can become quite daunting, as it is very easy to become overwhelmed if you do not have a green thumb or don't have the time. To avoid that downfall over time, it is definitely best practice to keep up (weekly or bi-weekly) with the most basic tasks the whole season long, or at least until it is the right time for us to intervene. We will be happy to (literally) take a load off your back so you can enjoy the simple things in life, such as spending time with friends and family, or that new hammock you just bought!
So, again we ask... since your beautiful yard is just waiting for you... WHAT are YOU waiting for?
Book your (no obligation) consultation below... it's the first step to END all that head-scratching!
Believe us, you'll be glad you did!
We look forward to hearing from you and working with you ;)
Chris & Terrie
... oh, and Rio!!
Book your (no obligation) consultation below... it's the first step to END all that head-scratching!
Believe us, you'll be glad you did!
We look forward to hearing from you and working with you ;)
Chris & Terrie
... oh, and Rio!!
Copyright/Photo Credits: Chris @ MyBeautifulYard
(unless otherwise stated)
(unless otherwise stated)