PROCESS
PHASE 1
Contact either via email or phone to discuss and organise an appointment for a site meeting.
On Site appointment Together we will discuss and assess your space. Defining the project Scope and to develop a brief are important steps in the process, understanding opportunities & constraints, your individual wishes, requirements and architecture and how the garden is to function is vital to success. It's a great help to have any architectural floor plans, elevations and surveys for this meeting. Hand drawn sketches may be developed during the meeting to communicate early ideas.
$350 inc GST. in metro Melbourne, additional travel fee may apply for other areas.
Fee structure/proposal is then produced for your design project, as each is different, incorporating the project scope and brief as discussed on site, it is then sent for your consideration in order to continue on to phase 2.
Acceptance - After approval of the fee proposal, and receipt of deposit, Vivid Design often assess the site again, perform a detailed measure up, take levels as required (site specific) and take reference photographs. We’ll also ask for documents such as titles, site surveys or architectural plans to be emailed to us if that hasn't happened already.
On Site appointment Together we will discuss and assess your space. Defining the project Scope and to develop a brief are important steps in the process, understanding opportunities & constraints, your individual wishes, requirements and architecture and how the garden is to function is vital to success. It's a great help to have any architectural floor plans, elevations and surveys for this meeting. Hand drawn sketches may be developed during the meeting to communicate early ideas.
$350 inc GST. in metro Melbourne, additional travel fee may apply for other areas.
Fee structure/proposal is then produced for your design project, as each is different, incorporating the project scope and brief as discussed on site, it is then sent for your consideration in order to continue on to phase 2.
Acceptance - After approval of the fee proposal, and receipt of deposit, Vivid Design often assess the site again, perform a detailed measure up, take levels as required (site specific) and take reference photographs. We’ll also ask for documents such as titles, site surveys or architectural plans to be emailed to us if that hasn't happened already.
PHASE 2
Sketch designs are refined, creatively exploring opportunities, distilling to the best concept to be presented to you which includes:-
Concept plan, drawn to scale, showing overall layout, main design effect and features, key plantings such as trees, hedges and overriding themes in various areas. Recommendations for surface choices and materials
Presentation of the plan to you either on site, or video conferencing in order to explain our rationale, show you related images & palette photographs and the proposed concept design, explaining how the design responds to your needs and the site context to seek your comments.
Feedback from you is then considered and the drawing is adjusted accordingly.
Invoice will be issued at this point.
Concept plan, drawn to scale, showing overall layout, main design effect and features, key plantings such as trees, hedges and overriding themes in various areas. Recommendations for surface choices and materials
Presentation of the plan to you either on site, or video conferencing in order to explain our rationale, show you related images & palette photographs and the proposed concept design, explaining how the design responds to your needs and the site context to seek your comments.
Feedback from you is then considered and the drawing is adjusted accordingly.
Invoice will be issued at this point.
PHASE 3
Development of the concept further with choices of materials, square metre area/quantites & selections. Dimensions added to assist contractors at site set-out stage.
Planting Plan/s cover exact plant choices, genus & species, their recommended pot size, the exact locations and the numbers required for the project.
Landscape Design is now complete and we can help you by referring you to a suitable landscape contractor.
Invoice will be issued at this point
Planting Plan/s cover exact plant choices, genus & species, their recommended pot size, the exact locations and the numbers required for the project.
Landscape Design is now complete and we can help you by referring you to a suitable landscape contractor.
Invoice will be issued at this point
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
These different detailed aspects can be selected as required and may be warranted depend on the project and budget.
3D model/s can be useful tools in phase 2, especially when designing difficult sites with height variations or when a client requests a more immersive view to better understand the design.
Detailed Hardscape plans specifies selected materials such as type, thickness, bases, construction details for landscape elements, features & focal points. Sections and elevations are used as required. This can mean a set of 10+ sheets of detailed information depending on the size and complexity of the design. This is a process where the design gets split up to provide much greater detail in quantity and specifications, useful if several different landscape contractor quotes a required to accurately price the same project.
Lighting plan/s will show the manufacturer, type, quantity and quality of lighting fixture specified to do a specific job in the lighting design.
Plant purchasing can be organised on the clients behalf if desired to ensure exact species and quality plants.
Construction Consultancy during the build is available. We can meet you and the landscape contractor to answer questions/brief landscaper, check site set out, during the build, at planting stage etc...
3D model/s can be useful tools in phase 2, especially when designing difficult sites with height variations or when a client requests a more immersive view to better understand the design.
Detailed Hardscape plans specifies selected materials such as type, thickness, bases, construction details for landscape elements, features & focal points. Sections and elevations are used as required. This can mean a set of 10+ sheets of detailed information depending on the size and complexity of the design. This is a process where the design gets split up to provide much greater detail in quantity and specifications, useful if several different landscape contractor quotes a required to accurately price the same project.
Lighting plan/s will show the manufacturer, type, quantity and quality of lighting fixture specified to do a specific job in the lighting design.
Plant purchasing can be organised on the clients behalf if desired to ensure exact species and quality plants.
Construction Consultancy during the build is available. We can meet you and the landscape contractor to answer questions/brief landscaper, check site set out, during the build, at planting stage etc...
FAQ
How much does garden design cost?
Scopes and briefs vary considerably; for some clients the word ‘landscape’ means a pool, pavilion, outdoor kitchen, tennis court - as well as some super-advanced plants…. for other clients, the word landscape could mean paving, a feature, lawns and garden beds with plants to grow over the coming years. Naturally this has an enormous bearing on costs for both design, detail required in the drawings and naturally, the build.
How much will the garden cost to build?
Budgets vary wildly, just as homes and properties do. We have no vested interest in pushing you to spend more on the build and are solely focussed on designing the right garden for your needs on our hourly rate. An important first step is setting a realistic construction budget range - let’s talk about that right at the start so everyone is one the same page.
What if I want to build my garden myself?
No problem. Many of Vivid Design’ clients are reasonably keen gardeners that while confident with the act of gardening, need guidance with the layout and design to ensure the garden is successful when judge on a range of criteria. Some of our clients use their plan to have a contractor construct the ‘built’ aspects of the garden such a paving or retaining walls but then happily source the plants and prepare the soil and plant the gardens themselves.
my Landscaper/Builder/Friend wants to build the garden from your design?
No problem. We are not a construction company - we design gardens for our clients, so you can have whomever you like build the garden. Many of our clients like the fact that we have no vested interest in the budget being invested… we work to help our clients get the best impact from the budget they have and prepare drawings for them. When the time is right, we can assist with finding the right contractors for you, we can even manage the whole process if you would like us to, assist you with comparing quotes and inclusions etc… it’s all up to you. We can be available on an ad-hoc basis for hourly rate visits during the build to answer questions from you or your contractor to keep the project on track.
Who do you work for?
We think a great garden improves everyone’s lives so we don’t discriminate! We love working with diverse people to create distinctively different gardens with varying briefs, sizes and budgets - we never get bored. A majority of our work is for residential jobs where people are building or renovating their forever home. Many of our clients are in homes in very established suburbs and they just want a much better and more functional garden. In the commercial space we work for schools/early child care, hospitality venues, cemeteries, gated communities, wineries, National and International industry bodies and Horticultural show co-ordinators and even some artistic projects at the amazing sculpture park down at Point Leo Estate. We also work for the AFL creating temporary landscapes for corporate events too.
Where do you work?
Mostly in Melbourne, Australia. We are currently in the Essendon area so increasingly we are doing gardens in Moonee Ponds, Essendon and Strathmore. As we were based in South Yarra for 13 years previously, when we first started our business, as a result, we still have a huge client referral base in the East/South East so lots of gardens in Kew, Hawthorn, Armadale, Canterbury, Malvern and Glen Iris. In recent years we have done a lot more work in Balwyn and St. Kilda, Caulfield and Elwood and as we work from referrals a lot we tend to have clusters in certain areas for a period. We have done multiple projects in Newtown and Geelongs suburbs and some larger rural projects extending down on the Bellarine and Mornington Peninsulas. In short we don’t mind where we go. We have designed gardens in Singapore, China (Beijing and Nanjing) as well as in Perth and Sydney. Happy to go anywhere and zoom meetings make it increasingly easy to do real work on real projects anywhere in the world.
Can you design my garden remotely?
Yes we can. With a decent site survey we can use face time and zoom and carry out all the meetings needed in the design process. We can successfully design and present concepts and plans on line and for many clients, we can literally share screens and you can watch us modify your plans on your screen in real time so we are all talking about the same aspect of the work. This saves time for many of our busy clients when it is difficult to organise meetings around their busy schedules.
Our software enables us to create a plan that is representative of your property in space so we can watch the sun tracking throughout the day and at any time of the year. This means we can design individually to capitalise on shade and sun accordingly and make sure the right plants are in the ideal aspect.
Our software enables us to create a plan that is representative of your property in space so we can watch the sun tracking throughout the day and at any time of the year. This means we can design individually to capitalise on shade and sun accordingly and make sure the right plants are in the ideal aspect.
What happens at THE INITIAL ON SITE APPOINTMENT?
Usually both Joby and Carolyn come to site but not always. We walk around your space and talk about the concerns you have and importantly how you need the garden to work for you. We talk about the scope of the work which means what needs to be included in the design thinking/planning. We talk about the brief and what things you would like the garden to achieve terms of use. We talk about your wants and desires, favourite feelings/themes and oftentimes plants. This meeting also provides you with the opportunity to see what we will bring to project, we identify opportunities and, often, issues that you may not have considered. For some people this chat includes how we are going to create an alfresco area or get the bikes/bins etc stored, for others it’s a need to create a kid friendly garden or a bee/bird attracting garden, for some it’s all about an ethereal view from the home or where to position a swimming pool or pavilion so it’s coordinated with the garden for maximum effect and practicality …. The initial consult defines the ‘scope’ of the design work, creates a client brief and also allows for the creation of a specific fee proposal for you to consider.
I’m at house design stage, should I have landscape planning done now?
In almost every case, having the garden planned, even if at a conceptual level, before a building/renovation project starts (or during the construction) makes complete sense. It allows for the logical staging of works and prep work to be carried out, for example setting levels for the whole area if a machine is on site for example or even having a delivery of materials needed in the future while access is easier. Pool builders want to be on the site first as access down the track is almost always difficult. Sometimes an idea of ours from the landscape design can influence what the architect does in relation to their work, furthering the integration of house and garden. Also forward planning allows for electrical and plumbing connections to be logically placed (out of plain sight) in the new garden allowing for the future needs of the garden to be readily accommodated rather than considering it all too late and then realising many opportunities have been lost. Always best to execute things knowing the full picture so it’s done cohesively, smarter and often in a more cost-effective manner.
Do I need detailed Hardscape plans?
Built, bespoke elements such as ponds, intricate levels, pergolas or retaining walls usually require detailed construction drawings to be created. Other jobs need plans prepared for council compliance. It is difficult to know what detailed construction or compliance drawings may be required until a concept design has been finalised with the structures proposed. Some landscape items trigger Council permits and others don’t. We are happy to estimate any extra time involved for any necessary detailed construction or council required drawings.
I have my final Landscape Design with Planting Plan, so what happens now?
Vivid design has a short list of friendly, reputable, reliable, competent landscape constructors that will be recommended to each client, if requested, depending on the type of project and skill set required, then we can leave you to it or be involved as you like.
Vivid design can seek quotes, make recommendation and engage the landscaper on your behalf, overseeing the construction as required. Once the hardscape is built and the soil work carried out we can assess the quality of the soil prep (huge key to success) and we can source plants for you or ensure the contractor is proving the plants as per the specification. Meetings between client and landscaper form an important part of this service. This is known as contract administration and we provide this service at a fee (on your fee proposal).
Vivid design can seek quotes, make recommendation and engage the landscaper on your behalf, overseeing the construction as required. Once the hardscape is built and the soil work carried out we can assess the quality of the soil prep (huge key to success) and we can source plants for you or ensure the contractor is proving the plants as per the specification. Meetings between client and landscaper form an important part of this service. This is known as contract administration and we provide this service at a fee (on your fee proposal).
I have a really small garden, is it worth getting a design?
Of course, the smaller the space the less there is to look at, so what you look at should be wonderful. Small spaces are precious and are often combined with privacy issues, so designing your small garden properly will have a huge bearing on how comfortable you feel in the space & the effect of what you look at day in day out if it is your only view from the home.
I have a really large, rural garden, can you help?
Many clients just don’t know where to start in those really vast spaces in a rural context. Our focus is to highlight the natural landscape, create protection from the elements and make sure the garden works harder than the work you have to do in it! Too many clients have come to us over the years that are overwhelmed at times by their large rural gardens maintenance requirements. Keeping one eye firmly fixed on practical and labour saving design elements and planting choices are crucial in large spaces. Within that context, the creativity can kick in and an amazing rural garden design can start to take shape; perhaps capturing dramatic views, creating wonderful journeys with sunny spots in winter or shady groves in summer for respite all to be enjoyed and to invite you outside. Gracious entrances and beautiful driveways, not necessarily the straight gravel type that the builder installed for practical reasons.
Can you design pools?
Many of our clients wish to incorporate pools into their garden spaces. So we define the location, dimensions, levels, materials and coping, creating a look for them and seamlessly incorporating them into the overall landscape design. The technical drawings and engineering for the structure of the pool would be by the Pool builder and an Engineer. We can share the files with the Pool builder for accuracy.
Do you create ‘Master Plans’?
The word Master Plan can mean different things in the Landscape Industry, some of our peers call their concept plans 'masterplans'. We, however along with most Landscape Architects, define a Master Plan as a dynamic, long reaching planning document that allows for the development of an area over a period of time, creating provisions for future needs and planning of a whole site as budgets and time allows. So yes, we do create Master Plans but these are usually reserved for schools or large commercial spaces where the developments proposed might consider the next 10 years of planning. So by definition ‘Master Plans’ are not detailed - they are planning documents that allocate spaces and long-term plantings for the future development of a site.
We do create Master Plans for large rural properties where we might define and design vehicle entries and driveways, turning circles, locations for future sheds/outbuildings, pool, courts, orchards or garden pavilions etc…. The implementation might be over a +5 year period but the result is that the design is still cohesive, connected, prioritised and planned - although the implementation may be spasmodic.
We do create Master Plans for large rural properties where we might define and design vehicle entries and driveways, turning circles, locations for future sheds/outbuildings, pool, courts, orchards or garden pavilions etc…. The implementation might be over a +5 year period but the result is that the design is still cohesive, connected, prioritised and planned - although the implementation may be spasmodic.
Do vivid design build the garden?
No. We are an independent design company that has no interest in upselling products or getting you to increase your budget for percentage reasons. We are committed to designing the best garden to fit your budget whatever the size. We have developed many great relationships with landscape contractors and builders over our career and will put you in touch with the contractor with the correct skill set required for your project.
Can the garden be built from the PHASE 2 'concept' drawing?
Yes & No.
Yes, with a little more detail provided by us, such as the planting plan and or lighting might just be all that's required for success.
Yes, if you are intending to build the garden yourself and you know what type of plantings that will succeed and have a clear idea on elements such as paving & lighting.
Yes, you may have a trusted landscaper/gardener friend that will help you.
No, if you intend on the result to be exactly as envisioned or you don't know about plants. Also no if you are getting three quotes as realistically, a concept drawing doesn't cover all the specific detail in order to get three comparable quotes. Keen gardeners are sometimes perfectly happy with Phase 2 design - they just need the ideas, however most clients go to Phase 3 and many want some of the additional services as well so they can move on and have the garden professionally constructed.
Yes, with a little more detail provided by us, such as the planting plan and or lighting might just be all that's required for success.
Yes, if you are intending to build the garden yourself and you know what type of plantings that will succeed and have a clear idea on elements such as paving & lighting.
Yes, you may have a trusted landscaper/gardener friend that will help you.
No, if you intend on the result to be exactly as envisioned or you don't know about plants. Also no if you are getting three quotes as realistically, a concept drawing doesn't cover all the specific detail in order to get three comparable quotes. Keen gardeners are sometimes perfectly happy with Phase 2 design - they just need the ideas, however most clients go to Phase 3 and many want some of the additional services as well so they can move on and have the garden professionally constructed.
Do you design pavilions and other roofed structures?
With pavilions, sheds and carports we can design the look and feel and how they should integrate, but the builder who is building the structure, or your architect, will need to do any technical drawings, seek any permits from council that may be required and engineers will be required for any structural elements.
We can share files with the builder/architect accordingly. For clients wanting structures that need building permits or council approval, we do recommend a great Draftsperson who works with our designs to create the necessary plans. We can put you in touch, or coordinate that aspect for you as well.
We can share files with the builder/architect accordingly. For clients wanting structures that need building permits or council approval, we do recommend a great Draftsperson who works with our designs to create the necessary plans. We can put you in touch, or coordinate that aspect for you as well.
Do you draw irrigation plans?
Irrigation plans are not usually produced, unless for large rural properties, as most landscape contractors, certainly from Landscape Victoria, are competent at installing irrigation systems, especially with drip systems.