The Brawner Design Process

Initial Point of Contact

To Brawner Design, any type of landscaping project is a remarkably close and personal relationship between two parties with a common goal: vision realized through successful completion! It is this concept that every project and client interaction begin and continues as an ongoing relationship. During the initial conversation, our goal is to listen, gather information from you about your project ideas, budget, and timeframe, and share with you information about us. At this time, we can determine if one our baseline design packages is best, or we can work towards a negotiated custom package. We can provide detailed plans for you to install or receive competitive proposals from our curated list of qualified contractors.

Introduction Appointment

If it is determined that the project sounds mutually feasible, and meets our capacities, we will conclude our initial conversation by setting up a meeting with you for a no cost, 1 to 2-hour consultation, to further discuss your project. During this meeting, we will listen carefully to learn more about you and your project ideas and address your concerns about improving your home. We will also offer suggestions on how to best solve your problems and achieve your goals. We will conclude this meeting by suggesting an investment range that is typical for the type of work involved and/or receive from you the investment you have in mind. Either way, we will work towards a target budget with our proposed design work.

If you would like us to proceed with design work, we require you to enter into a Design Agreement that provides compensation for this preconstruction period. The Design Agreement fees are typically equal to 5 to 10% of the proposed investment for constructing the work; however, we will provide a detailed cost breakdown in our proposal to you. The fees due are outlined in a payment schedule included within the proposal/agreement.

Design & Cost Analysis Period

The design process begins upon agreement to execute our services. During the first meeting, we come prepared to execute our services, and measure and photograph the areas involved so that we may begin the process without delay. A typical landscaping project design usually takes several weeks or months depending on the scope of work, revisions, and selections process.

Through constant and effective communication and regular meetings, we will inform you of what is required from you to keep the process moving forward. We would like for you to set aside 1-2 hours per week for meetings, as needed, to review conceptual drawings or computer aided renderings, to review plant and construction materials, and to review budget estimates. Included in the design fees is one visit to a local retail nursery and hardscape supplier (as needed) to view the proposed plantings and hardscape elements (or similar substitutions) to ensure there is a full understanding of the proposed design.

Design Completion & Next Steps

Once the design has been completed to your satisfaction, we will a construction drawing set that can be submitted for HOA and/or permit approval, along with distribution to a curated group of qualified landscape professionals for competitive pricing.

Brawner Design is available for the added service of preconstruction oversight of the bidding process. We can meet with you and the landscape contractors and provide technical analysis of the proposals and make recommendations as to the best contractor for your project. The cost for this service is a flat fee of $500.00.

Construction Period:

Brawner Design is available for the added service of construction oversight. We can provide professional oversight of the installation work to ensure that all aspects of the design and construction contract are met. This includes but is not limited to weekly site visits to inspect the work in progress and make any necessary adjustments; plant/hardscape substation approvals and review of progress billings provided by the landscape contractor. The cost for this service is negotiated based on size and duration of project, typically 2-3% of the cost of the work. Brawner Design includes in this service for no added cost daily calls, video chats, texts, and emails to respond to any questions such that the work proceeds smoothly.

We welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and create your dream!