Landscape Questions to Consider
Copyright: 1996 Mystical Landscapes inc.Please write your answers the questions below, skipping any which do not apply or you are unsure about. We will go over these with you as the beginning of the design process (no need to mail ahead of time).
Summarize what is most important to you about your Landscape:
Site/house Data:
1) If you are on a Septic system (in areas where there is no sewer) do you have a map of tank and pipes?
2) Are you aware of zoning restrictions, setbacks or other legal restrictions which might affect the landscape?
4) Do you know where all utility cables are located?
a) Gas lineb) Water linesc) Sewer/Septic transfer lined) Power main and any auxiliarye) Phone5) Do you have plans drawn to scale of the property and where the house sits on it (if so, please bring a copy to our meeting)?
6) Do accurate stakes mark all property corners?
7) Do you have good relations with all of your neighbors?
8) May I contact them to communicate what we are doing and explore cooperation in areas of joint interest such as joint boundary plans?
9) Are there hidden things not apparent? (Such as buried stumps in areas, drainage problems in the winter, hard pan just below the surface in areas etc.)
10) Which animals frequent the property: (Ask your neighbors if you are new to your home.)
a) Deer,b) Rabbitsc) Other11) Are there any existing features to the landscape you would like left unchanged? (A tree you really like etc.)
12) Are you planning structural changes to the house?
a) Decks or patiosb) Garage/ Remodelc) Other13) Will the house be repainted the same colors? If not, which colors?
14) What is your water set up?
a) Do you pay for it per unit?b) Is the hose water filtered also if you have a in-house filter system?c) Do you have good pressure?d) Are you on a community well?Landscape Costs:
This includes garden sheds, driveway paving, drainage systems, outdoor lighting, forestry, trails etc.
1) What do you want to pay for yearly maintenance once established:
a) All landscape related materials (includes annuals, bark etc.)$ b) Paid help (if any): $
2) How many hours do you want to spend maintaining your landscape each week? (You will need to spend double this time for the first two years to establish the garden. If more than one person will be doing maintenance give a break down for each person per week.)
3) Total you want to spend installing your landscape over time: $
4) If doing this work in stages how do you see it breaking down:
a) Now:$ b) Year Two:$c) Year Three: $d) Yearly thereafter: $5) Are you interested in doing any aspects of the installation yourself? If so, what:
6) Are there specific dates for beginning/completion you wish to work around ?
Your Preferences:
1) Who in your family will be actively participating in the design process?
2) What atmosphere or style do you want your garden to have?
3) Do you prefer informal, semi formal or very formal?
4) Would you like to attract any form of wildlife?
a) Deerb) Rabbitsc) Birdsd) Butterflies5) Would you like a water feature?
6) Is fragrance important to you?
7) Options for seasonal interest:
a) The whole garden could be geared to be spectacular in 1-2 seasonsb) Separate beds could be geared to be spectacular in different seasonsc) Each area in the landscape could be quieter with something always happening 8) Do you have favorite plants you want to include?
9) Are there plants you dislike?
10) Do you have color preferences:
a) Colors you Dislike:b) Favorite Colors:11) Do you have pictures that capture pieces of what you want in your garden? Please bring a few to our meeting if you have them.
12) Are there particular areas in the garden you want to make special?
13) How many years before you want your landscape to feel mature (this question refers to plant size mainly)?
14) Circle the materials and techniques you like and might want:
a) Outdoor lightingb) Stone walls, Natural stone Groupingsc) Bark, Chips, Groundcoverd) Wood, Brick, Concrete, Paverse) Gazebof) Other:15) Are there materials or techniques you want to avoid?
Our Relationship:
1) Do you want to be actively included in smaller daily design revisions as we install?
2) Is there anything important to you that would make the process of designing or installing more comfortable for you?
3) Is this your first landscape project?
4) Have you worked with a landscaper before?
5) What did you like and dislike about the experience?
Your Practical Needs:
1) Storage place for tools and bicycles?
2) A place to conceal the garbage cans?
3) Screening to block a particular view or create privacy from neighbors in areas?
4) A flat play area for games?
5) Space for vegetables or herbs?
6) A composting area for a heap or worm bin?
7) Site for a hot tub?
8) Easy wheel chair access? (If so, where to?)
9) How many cars do you want to comfortably park?
10) Are there other things (boats etc.) you plan to store on the site?
11) A dog run/ animal shelter?
12) Do you want a fire pit?
13) Do have/ have plans for cat, dog or outside pets?
14) Will young children have unattended access to the landscape?
15) Do you want a dollar for dollar return on investment in your landscape when you sell?
16) Do you need water, phone, propane, cable, a security system, intercoms, or electricity anywhere else on the site?
You may wish to walk around the site and note any ideas you have as well as things you find distasteful or dysfunctional. Thank you for taking the time to think about and answer these questions.
"Dane really cares about what we want."
B. and T. Schmitz
