If you’re looking to improve the look of your home’s landscape, you may want to consider hiring a Seattle Landscape Architect. Their services are not cheap, but they can make a huge difference to your property’s aesthetic and longevity.
The price of their services depends on the size and scope of your project. The more complex your design is, the higher it will cost.
Site Analysis
The site analysis process is an essential part of the design and development of any architectural project. It involves a series of steps including conducting research, visiting the site and observing existing conditions.
A thorough site evaluation will help you identify strengths, opportunities and weaknesses of a property. It will also guide you in developing a plan and concept that meets your goals.
Your site analysis will steer you toward building forms that have inexpensive site development costs, site layouts that take advantage of existing and natural features, development concepts that are readily approvable and quickly built, and solutions that maximize value for your investment.
When you conduct a site analysis, you’ll want to consider both objective and subjective data at three different scales: Global, Macro, and Micro. You’ll also want to be strategic about the information you gather and the way you present it.
Conceptual Design
Conceptual design is the first part of a multistage project planning process. During this phase, teams identify the problem to be solved and brainstorm solutions.
A conceptual design may include preliminary drawings, sketches, floor plans, elevations, 3D renderings and a site plan. The architect may also do site inspections and other tasks during this stage.
The conceptual design process is a great way to determine whether a project is worth pursuing. It also helps ensure that the resulting design meets all of the client’s goals and requirements.
Landscape architects typically charge between $500 and $10,900 for small projects that include a planting plan and basic construction documents. More expensive projects involve detailed concept designs, elevations and complex hardscape plans.
Construction Documents
Landscape architects create construction documents that explain their designs to contractors, builders, and home owners. They also create detailed plans for walkways, patios, pools, ponds, and other structures that will be built in your yard or garden.
The construction process can be time consuming and difficult. It’s important to hire a professional who knows what they’re doing and can make sure the design is done correctly.
They also can ensure that all necessary permits are secured and followed up on by your contractor before work begins. This can save you time and money in the long run.
Some companies have their own in-house construction team that will take over from the landscape architect after they’ve created all of the construction documents. This saves you the hassle of hiring two different firms to handle all of the design and construction aspects of your project. It also reduces the time spent from design to completion and enables your contractor to focus on the actual construction itself instead of spending valuable time in meetings with the design firm.
Construction Administration
Construction administration is the process that takes place after all design plans have been created, submitted and approved by the client or local building department. During this time, architects conduct regular site visits and answer any questions the contractor/client might have.
They also review shop drawings and submittals from the contractor to ensure that the work is being built according to the design documents. If anything changes, they make the necessary changes and record them in their project files.
In addition, a construction administrator can help save the client money on their project by making sure it’s completed to the client’s expectations. They can also spot issues with the construction that could affect the overall quality of the project and let the contractor know if additional work is required before payments are made to the contractor.
Construction administrators often use construction project management software to execute these duties. It’s a great tool that helps them track and manage their work no matter where they are. It shows task lists in real-time and displays percentages of work complete, giving them the transparency they need to do their job properly.