A landscape design project moves through a series of coordinated stages, each building on the last. While every project is unique, the steps below outline how a design is developed, refined, and ultimately realized and what clients can expect at each phase.
1. Establishing the Design Framework
The process begins by gathering information that shapes the overall design direction. At this stage, the client shares details about the property, areas of focus, budget parameters, and goals for how the space should function and feel. This information helps establish the framework for the design, ensuring the scope of work is clearly defined before any concepts are developed.
What to expect: Early conversations focused on goals, constraints, and priorities—setting direction before drawings are introduced.
2. Site Review & Context
An on-site meeting allows the design team and client to review existing conditions together and gain a deeper understanding of the property. During this visit, key site features, constraints, access points, grading, and current patterns of use are documented. This site analysis provides critical context for the design, ensuring decisions are informed by real conditions and that the proposed design responds appropriately to how the space functions today.
What to expect: On-site questions, measurements, and conversations that help define how the design will work within the existing landscape.
3. Design Development
Using the information gathered during earlier stages, the design team begins developing and refining the landscape design. Layouts, materials, planting strategies, and construction approaches are explored and tested against site conditions, goals, and practical constraints. Feedback plays an important role during this phase, allowing the design to evolve while budget considerations are reviewed alongside design choices to ensure the proposal remains feasible and buildable.
What to expect: Design presentations, revisions, and clear explanations showing how ideas develop and translate into the final plan.
4. Design Finalization & Pre-Construction Planning
Once the design is approved, it is translated into detailed drawings and documentation that guide construction. During this stage, materials and plant selections are finalized, technical requirements are resolved, and coordination begins to prepare the design for implementation. An on-site layout meeting with the designer, project manager, and homeowner helps confirm scale, placement, and alignment before construction begins, ensuring the design intent is clearly understood and ready to be built accurately on site.
What to expect: Fewer design changes and a greater focus on detail, accuracy, and construction readiness.
5. Construction: Executing the Design
Construction is the stage where the approved design is brought to life on site. Crews, trades, and project management work in coordination to implement the design as intended, responding to site conditions while maintaining alignment with the drawings and specifications. Ongoing communication during this phase helps ensure decisions made in the field continue to support the original design intent.
What to expect: Regular coordination and communication to carry the design through to completion.
6. Review & Completion
At project close-out, the completed landscape is reviewed against the original design to confirm alignment with the approved plans. Final adjustments are addressed, maintenance considerations are discussed, and documentation is provided to support long-term care of the space.
What to expect: A final site walk-through and delivery of an as-built document.
Together, these stages create a clear and structured path from early ideas to a completed landscape, helping clients feel informed and confident while ensuring the final outcome reflects both the design intent and the realities of the site.
Want a good place to start?
If you are ready to start your landscape project or to upgrade your existing landscape, be sure to get in contact with Earthscape. Our team of experts is excited to help you create your dream landscape. Our professional landscaping services include design, installation, maintenance, and landscape enhancements such as landscape lighting, irrigation and much more. With locations in Elmira, Ontario and Toronto, ON we look forward to servicing clients from these areas and beyond. Our on site teams are ready to make the transition from design to construction seamless and headache free regardless of the project value. With open communication and a great track record of successful projects, Earthscape is here to help you!
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