What to Expect From Your
Design/Build Consultation

Initial Design Consultation (Approx. 60-90 Minutes)

1

Consultant will review property with you and discuss your ideas, goals & interests

2

Review portfolio while consultant takes notes on your taste, style interests, goals, and functionality

3

Review Garden View’s process, systems, application of art principles, and how our team makes it all come together

4

Consultant and client will fill out a questionnaire to assemble a WAG (Budget) for the project

5

Consultant discusses design implementation, team creative design process and how to move forward if desired

This consultation presents valuable information and mines personal preferences so we ask whenever possible all decision making/interested parties be present. It is important to start navigating differences in goals/interests of the whole family from the beginning.
The consultation usually takes an hour to hour and a half.

What is Design/Build? And what’s the alternative?

The biggest difference is One Coordinated effort vs a series of contributors without a system of working together.

Garden View Way

Design/Build

a project delivery system used in the construction industry in which the design and construction services are contracted by a single entity known as the “Design/Build Contractor.”

Their Way

Architect & Subs Processes

When homeowners hire their own architects and subcontractors,
they often are left in the middle of headaches & disputes and there is a lack of singular responsibility which can be more costly down the road.

Mark Meahl next to custom pond1. Initial Project Consultation

Creative design team paired w/ real world construction and budget experience

Bob Ross1. Initial Design Consultation

The initial sales call with a landscape architect may be a great artist but not an experienced builder or experienced with construction costs

San Marino Design Video Thumbnail2. Design

A conceptual design presented via 3D video and images comes at a much lower cost with a more engaging, easily interpreted and realistic representation of the plan

blueprints2. Design

A good architectural design should be much more expensive because it needs to be extensively detailed.  This will make a best attempt at comparing apples to apples when used for distribution to contractors for bidding.

calculator and notes3. Estimating / Value Optimization

Experienced estimators provide selection options and accurate committed costs.  This is where our coordinated team can work with you and your budget to perform cost benefit analysis via scope, selection & phasing options

confused estimators3. Estimating

with each tradesman having their own performance and quality standards, it makes it very difficult to get revised costing, options, and scope changes from various contractors

front of the line4. Permiting

The permitting/planning process can often be more lengthy than the actual construction. We have a full-time Permit Manager who works quickly to respond to plan checker queries and push projects through the permitting process as expeditiously as reasonable.

Back of the Line at Inspectors Office4. Permitting

Many permits need to be pulled with the right contractors licenses.  Usually the architect is not a licensed contractor

overall shot of backyard with baja shelf contemporary style pool, firewall, seating area, and gym in background5. Construction

ONE coordinated effort always means a better, smoother and more cost effective project.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” -Aristotle

Ugly Pool with Many Contractors5. Construction

Lack of coordination & synergy between the dozens of trades that come together for your project can cause headaches, errors, issues, and an inferior final product.

The Garden View Team6. Warranty

Accountability is one place from a well known established company

Ugly Pool with Many Contractors6. Warranty

Who is responsible when mixed disciplines come together?

Enhanced Customer Experience
with Buildertrend

Garden View plus Buildertrend

Internal Management:

Gantt Chart
Daily Logs for landscape construction projects
Buildertrend Task List
circled object to be fixed

Convenient Owners Portal:

Work Scheduling Calendar
pathlight selections
Change Order Approval stages
easy ACH payments through owners portal

The Garden View Design Build Process

  • 1. Preliminary Consultation

    1. Consultant will review property with you and discuss ideas, goals & interests
    2. Review portfolio with Consultant taking notes on taste/style interests
    3. Discuss with consultant design styles, and how art applies to landscape design
    4. Review Garden View process and how it all comes together
    5. Consultant assembles WAG (Wild Ass Guess) price for budget preparation
    6. Consultant creates Design Proposal  for review/acceptance

  • 2. Design

    1. Project is assigned a designer and introduced to client
    2. Designer surveys & measures property
    3. Initial design plan created & reviewed with Client
    4. Adjustments are made to plan and approved by Client

  • 3. Estimating

    1. Estimator visits site, takes pictures, checks soil types, and collects misc. information
    2. Estimator imports measurements and counts from design/takeoff software
    3. Subcontractor bids are solicited and assembled
    4. Estimate entered & assembled in BTrend
    5. Estimate Reviewed with project manager
    6. Proposal is reviewed with client at Garden View offices

  • 4. Value Optimizing

    1. A new “Value Optimized” Proposal is developed
      Often part of the process of design to construction is the “Value Optimization” or the “Value Engineering” phase. The “Value Optimization” purpose is to keep the essence and functionality of the design intact but figuring out ways to reduce the amount of investment. It often requires choices, scope changes, compromises, substitutions, sacrifices, tradeoffs, eliminations, design alterations and cost/benefit analysis. Usually this entails an exercise between all participants that is primarily driven by the party making the investment working with the Garden View Team.

  • 5. Contract Signing

    1. Proposal & Terms/Conditions approved & signed by Client & Garden View
    2. Initial $1000.00 deposit paid by customer

  • 6. Permitting

    1. Permit details assembled by designer/estimator
    2. Engineering details assembled for submission
    3. Permit application submitted by Project Manager and/or Permit Expediter
    4. Back & forth with City/County permit department handled by experts in the field
    5. Build schedule developed in this interim

  • 7. The Build

    1. Build schedule built with linking of necessary trades, tasks, to-do’s, and processes
    2. POs are assembled and Time Goals distributed for project
    3. Daily logs created by the project manager to track and update job progress
    4. Build/Dispatch schedule updated daily
    5. Selections, deductions, upgrades, and change orders are assembled and put on BT Cloud for approval, denial, or request for more information
    6. Transparent billing system updated weekly based on % completion of project

  • 8. Enjoy


    Enjoy your new living space!
    1. Review the Garden View Owner’s manual that has been specifically configured for you.  It includes vital information on the type of plants, equipment and products installed and maintenance tips
    2. Review Garden View Monthly Garden tips on how & when to maintain specific plants
    3. Receive and review Garden View emailed fun & illustrated Garden Tips from Gardy and Woody
    4. Over 70% of our business is from repeat clients and glowing recommendations. If you are happy with your project please pass on the good words.

  • 9. Warranty

    1. If you have any issue the Warranty needs are logged and attended to promptly
    2. Garden View Owner’s Manual created specifically for you has warranty information, serial numbers and maintenance tips
    3. Garden View has been in existence for over 40 years we are here to help you get the maximum from your investment