About Us

Landscape Design, Landscaping, Landscape Installation, Design and Install, Landscaper, Marin, CA, San Rafael, CA, Marin County

Design:

The most important landscape decision you will make is your choice of designer. While a design costs a fraction of the total project cost, it determines most of the functional, visual and resale value you receive. Because the value of an idea that has not yet been imagined is hard to quantify, it is common for people to believe they are getting a good deal when a gardener offers them a quick and free design. It is equally common to see home-owners spending thousands of dollars doing things that could have been done more attractively and functionally for the same budget, by using a different design or installation method.

One example is client who brought me on board to review an existing design they were about to install. After asking them a few questions about what was important to them I was able to suggest an approach that gave them more of what they wanted and cost $21,000.00 less than their original plan. While you should not expect miracles from even the best designer, and saving $21,000.00 is not common, in almost every instance developing or refining one good idea more than pays for the entire design process.

Rather than having a trademark "style," my focus is on understanding the unique priorities of each of my clients. I then use my eighteen years of experience as an installer to design a garden that not only reflects those priorities but is cost-effective to install and easy to maintain. As a result of going over your answers to my extensive landscape questionnaire my first design is often well received by clients and subsequently installed. This saves money in design fees. By thinking things through thoroughly at the beginning we also avoid most change-orders, saving thousands of dollars in the installation. About 50% of my clients write a check at the end of the job for the exact amount of my initial design estimate as a result of avoiding change-orders.

I offer an optional half hour consultation to meet on site, provide a design estimate and give you a copy of the questionnaire and references, which you can also view here. If you want to benefit from the power of good design and save money, consider attending one of my classes on design through www.MarinLearn.com.

"Dane provides a unique holistic approach that encompasses you, your home and your landscape." Alex Thomas