Our Services
Landscape Design & Construction Services
Whether you have a small landscape entry project or would like a plan for managing a large parcel, we can help you with our hourly consulting on a specific issue or with a full scope of services for designing and building your dream project.
We use our technical and artistic talents to plan and design open spaces, and the spaces between buildings. We formulate graphic and written criteria (including drawings, construction documents and specifications) that govern the allocation, arrangement, and construction of land elements and water resources. An example of this might include developing a plan for a landscape water budget around a sustainable drainage system that includes a detention pond or other kinds of rainwater harvesting systems.
Typical landscape architecture plans for residential and commercial projects might include a site analysis, determining the location of buildings and other structures, design of driveways and walks, patios, water features, and selection and arrangement of plants on your property. Detailed plans prepared by a landscape architect could also include grading and drainage, irrigation systems, runoff pollution and erosion control measures, recycled landscape materials, lighting, trellises and shade structures, and other landscape features, and designing for fire safety.
How We Work
Contract Preparation & Startup
Four-Phase Design Process
Schematic Design & Permitting
In the first design stage, Rainscape Design develops a preliminary design that addresses the planned use of your site. To illustrate this design, we select representative images, as needed, of similar gardens and landscape elements for you to review. We can provide a preliminary estimate of probable cost for elements in your design. We review the design, any cost estimate put together, along with the reference images and plant palette with you to obtain your approval before refining, as needed, the concept you select. At this point, Rainscape Design may participate in the Design Review process for your project with local regulatory agencies. If needed, we can assist you in starting the application for permits during this phase; however, ultimately, permit approval is dependent on municipal agencies.
Schematic Design & Permitting
In the first design stage, Rainscape Design develops a preliminary design that addresses the planned use of your site. To illustrate this design, we select representative images, as needed, of similar gardens and landscape elements for you to review. We can provide a preliminary estimate of probable cost for elements in your design. We review the design, any cost estimate put together, along with the reference images and plant palette with you to obtain your approval before refining, as needed, the concept you select. At this point, Rainscape Design may participate in the Design Review process for your project with local regulatory agencies. If needed, we can assist you in starting the application for permits during this phase; however, ultimately, permit approval is dependent on municipal agencies.
Design Development
Once you approve the preliminary design and estimated budget, Rainscape Design refines that design, as needed. Materials are selected, details related to colors and finishes are determined, and a more detailed cost estimate can be prepared. Additional drawings are prepared, as needed to communicate all aspects of the design to you. Again, we will meet with you to review these completed drawings and obtain your approval before beginning the Construction Documents (if they are needed). After this approval, if you wish to make changes to the design, we can integrate those revisions with an additional service fee.
Design Development
Once you approve the preliminary design and estimated budget, Rainscape Design refines that design, as needed. Materials are selected, details related to colors and finishes are determined, and a more detailed cost estimate can be prepared. Additional drawings are prepared, as needed to communicate all aspects of the design to you. Again, we will meet with you to review these completed drawings and obtain your approval before beginning the Construction Documents (if they are needed). After this approval, if you wish to make changes to the design, we can integrate those revisions with an additional service fee.
Construction Documents, Bidding and Award
Construction Drawings and Specifications are used to construct complex designs that require permits. These are legal documents that must be technically accurate, conform to industry standards and governmental codes, and be approved by the various licensed professionals involved. They are detailed representations that inform the builders of every item to be installed. Rainscape Design can help you review the bids of independent landscape contractors, or installers, to build your project. Contractors submit bids for the cost of all the construction based on these plans.
A typical Construction Document package includes dimensioned layout plans, grading and drainage plans, planting plans, and construction details for all items in your project. Additional drawings may include irrigation, lighting, civil and structural engineering plans. These drawings are supported by written specifications that describe all the components and their installation. The detailed clarity of these plans helps the contractor understand your project, resulting in more realistic bids, and helping to avoid costly mistakes during construction.
Construction Documents, Bidding and Award
Construction Drawings and Specifications are used to construct complex designs that require permits. These are legal documents that must be technically accurate, conform to industry standards and governmental codes, and be approved by the various licensed professionals involved. They are detailed representations that inform the builders of every item to be installed. Rainscape Design can help you review the bids of independent landscape contractors, or installers, to build your project. Contractors submit bids for the cost of all the construction based on these plans.
A typical Construction Document package includes dimensioned layout plans, grading and drainage plans, planting plans, and construction details for all items in your project. Additional drawings may include irrigation, lighting, civil and structural engineering plans. These drawings are supported by written specifications that describe all the components and their installation. The detailed clarity of these plans helps the contractor understand your project, resulting in more realistic bids, and helping to avoid costly mistakes during construction.
Construction Observation and Maintenance
One of the most important steps in the process of landscape design is Construction Observation. When an independent landscape contractor, or installer, builds the project then, typically, several site visits are required to ensure the work being carried out is constructed according to our drawings and your intent. This can help avoid costly mistakes in time and materials. During the site visits, we review design implementation and make adjustments accordingly. When work is substantially complete, a specified maintenance period is determined. At the beginning and end of this maintenance period, Rainscape Design may prepare a written list of items that need adjustment by the independent contractor, who remains responsible for the work. The project is officially complete after all the adjustments are made to Rainscape Design and your satisfaction.
Rainscape Design prioritizes creating landscapes that require low maintenance, but all landscapes need some long‐term maintenance. If requested, we can prepare a maintenance guide to ensure proper care that allows your garden to thrive and evolve, as designed, for years to come.
Construction Observation and Maintenance
One of the most important steps in the process of landscape design is Construction Observation. When an independent landscape contractor, or installer, builds the project then, typically, several site visits are required to ensure the work being carried out is constructed according to our drawings and your intent. This can help avoid costly mistakes in time and materials. During the site visits, we review design implementation and make adjustments accordingly. When work is substantially complete, a specified maintenance period may be determined. At the beginning and end of this maintenance period, Rainscape Design may prepare a written list of items that need adjustment by the independent contractor, who remains responsible for the work. The project is officially complete after all the adjustments are made to Rainscape Design and your satisfaction.
Rainscape Design prioritizes creating landscapes that require low maintenance, but all landscapes need some long‐term maintenance. If requested, we can prepare a maintenance guide to ensure proper care that allows your garden to thrive and evolve, as designed, for years to come.
Let us help you discover how to beautify and maximize the use of your landscape.
Rainscape Design
415.218.4058
ira@rainscapedesign.com