Following completion of the initial concept for your new garden you may feel as though you’re ready to progress to construction, however there’s a crucial step prior to this that can ensure efficiency of build, accuracy of pricing and clarity on finishes…
PLANTING
The planting scheme plays a crucial part in the look and feel of the project, and is a personalised element with a specific palette being created to align with the clients planting style, and specific plant preferences.
Within design detailing a detailed planting package is produced with all species sizes, quantities and locations specified, along with imagery of these for reference. This is created in close collaboration with the client, with consideration given to the soil profile, solar aspect and any other factors that may affect the success of the scheme.
LIGHTING
Lighting of the new garden is obviously key to bring the new garden to life at night. A customised lighting scheme activates outdoor entertaining areas, provides clear access between spaces, enhances views from internal living areas and also highlights features within the outdoor areas.
A detailed lighting plan specifies fixtures and locations for the scheme, providing a clear breakdown that can be tailored to suit the clients function and budget requirements.
POOL
The pool is often the centrepiece of the yard, and the most significant cost within the project. Due to this it’s important to get things right, and there are a range of different options that can make or break the final outcome.
Detailing of this element includes the specification of the interior finish and internal layout (eg steps, seating etc.), depth, lighting, coping and surrounds, fencing, heating, pool equipment location and pool cover inclusion. All of these items are picked up within the pool drawings, which typically include sections and setout plans.
CUSTOM ELEMENTS
Within each project there are often bespoke elements that require further detailing in order to convey specific information to specialist contractors and suppliers for a seamless install. Items such as outdoor kitchens, outdoor seating, shade structures or custom fencing and gates all fall within this category, with detailed plans, sections, elevations and 3D’s often produced prior to construction to facilitate final pricing from the contractor and sign off on design from the client.
FINISHES SCHEDULE
Each and every element of the project requires a some level of specification, and it’s within the material finishes schedule that this is all documented. This forms the ‘handbook’ for all involved with the project, providing a comprehensive breakdown, and also a record, of each and every specification decision needing to be made.
The document not only acts as a guide when the design team reviews the detailing package with the client, but also provides clear direction on ordering of materials, and directly references the associated detail drawings for each element.
CONTRACTOR COLLABORATION
Once the detailing package is complete, discussions can commence or continue with the relevant contractors in order for them to prepare final construction pricing for the project. With detailed drawings of all construction elements provided within this package, along with a preliminary finishes schedule, the accuracy of pricing is guaranteed, and the turn around time is minimised.
As outlined above the design detailing and documentation of a project is an in depth breakdown of all aspects of a project, and a crucial step in the design process. The package varies on any given project depending on the scope of works, with the associated fees typically relating directly to the overall construction estimate.
Fifth Season Landscapes provide this preliminary budget estimate within the concept design stage to not only help determine fees for this stage and any others required within the design process, but to also deliver a considered guide on construction costs to the client as early as possible.
To learn more about this stage or any other aspects of our design process feel free to get in touch with one of our team below.
