The GardenWild Process; from Free Consultation & Estimate to Installation day
Free On-Site Consultation Process
Most Consultations take less than an hour depending on the size & scope of what you have in mind. There is no set time "limit". We’ll find a convenient time to meet at your property when you contact to schedule and I will contact you the morning of via agreed upon method as a reminder prior to showing up.
Site Walk-Through & Habitat Assessment
- On arrival I’ll tour your property with you, if scheduling is an issue and you prefer I can stop by during the day without you present as well but having you on-site is preferred. If you have a specific space already picked out we can focus on that area. If you are excited about adding habitat somewhere but unsure of best location, I can work with that too! I can identify areas of existing habitat that can be easily enhanced with additional plantings to create a more "defined" aesthetic, or identify "problem areas" where too much/little sun precents ornamental plants from thriving but may be good candidate for a native planting. Low spots, or areas that stay soggy long after a rain are prime locations for rain gardens & wet meadows. If any invasive species are on the site or location, whether additional invasive removal or long-term Maintenace is recommended. If so, discussion of other local businesses that specialize in this.
- After assessing existing habitat, I can talk you through several options, when available, that would make the most out of your Native Habitat Enhancement which I will then use to work out an estimate for you. Depending on the size of the project, the free estimates take about a week. Larger projects include more sourcing of materials and may take longer.
Goal Discussion
You’ll share your vision! Whether it's a pocket prairie, rain garden, woodland understory, blended habitat or if you "don't care" and just want an instant improvement of curb appeal, now is the time to tell me what you have in mind and we can discuss feasibility and make sure your expectations are clearly understood.
Rough Sketch & Plan Outline
- I’ll sketch a very rough (think, 'back of the napkin') preliminary layout, highlight key installation zones, and walk you through the general approach, plant palette ideas, and aesthetic considerations. For smaller spaces we may focus on species diversity. If there are problematic plants on site, we may focus on aggressive native species to help keep maintenance low. If you have a very large area youd like to enhance, we may focus on large mass-plantings of only a few species. These mass plantings are economical, but also visually stunning when planned well. It all depends on what you want, and your site's parameters.
Site Preparation Review
- We’ll cover any minimal prep needed, note invasive or non-aggressive non-native species to remove or retain, and discuss how we integrate with existing features. Minimal prep is an ambiguous term but generally "Work that only takes 1-3hrs before planting can begin". I am not currently licensed to use chemical treatments so am only able to remove whats easily done by hand or small machine.
A Select few invasives are so serious or tough that the only recommended treatment IS herbicides and a long-term maintenance schedule. This will have to be contracted out or done before installation or a separate site chosen.
Optional Add Ons
- If your site needs goat-grazing (yes, real Goats!), herbicides or other more involved invasive removal, storm-water work, or basically any other work I am either not yet licensed or otherwise unable to realistically provide at the time of purchase this will be noted on site and included in the hard copy of any estimates. These options are determined by site itself and species present and will only be recommended to those that meet requirements.
These estimates may take an addtional a week for accurate quotes and will be sent after consultation and rarely the day of.
What's next after the consultation?
By this point, you should have a fairly good idea of what to expect and have any questions you may have, answered. We’ll agree on the project size, timeline, and any follow-up actions. I will then take everything we've discussed during your consultation, and create a more formal plan. This plan Itself will vary depending on each individual project but will generally include all costs broken down as well as images of some (or all) of the species selected for the site, visual representations of the type & style of plantings chosen, aswell as a more formal depiction of what it will look like in your space when finished**. For a majority of installations, this will take about a week. Larger or more intricate plans will take longer, but that timeframe will be communicated the day of consultation.
Please note: I am not a landscaping architect and this is part of the reason my services are priced so competitively. While I believe I makeup for my lack of formal training in passion & dedication, if you are expecting - or needing- more formal plans & designs I would be more than happy to help recommend local businesses better suited for your needs- even if you've already had your consultation and free estimate worked up. You are never, at any time prior to payment, obligated to continue with GardenWild Services and I aim for you to never feel pressured. Ultimately, I genuinely just want "put plants in peoples yards" to create vital native habit & beautiful spaces. If you, or at any point I, feel that my services aren't in your best interest - it would be my pleasure to help facilitate other local options who may be. Whether it's myself, GardenWild Services, or any other companies in our area - any added habitat is a win/win in my book.
After you receive you estimate you have as much time as you need to go forward. There's no obligation or pressure to purchase at all or within a certain amount of time, and the offer will stand (outside of price changes for materials itself) as long as GardenWild Services is in business. Life moves quick, no one understands that more than I, if you get your estimate this week but then don't have the ability to move forward until next year - just keep your physical (or emailed) copy of your quote and call me in a year!
Starting Your Project & Payment
Once you've made the decision to move forward and reached back out, we can schedule a date that works best for you. Sometimes this date can be within days , it all depends on the size of scope of planting and site-preperarion needed to start. Most installations will require to be scheduled at least a week out from consultation to allow for Misc utilities to map any buried infrastructure. While uncommon, some sites may be exempt either due to type of installation or location itself and this decision will be made onsite This is especially true of rural properties or installations where primary focus is on seed-sowing or smaller specimens. (I have installed plants in "no dig" areas, utilizing a no-till method combined with only digging down less than 6in into soil which generally avoids complications with utilities) While actual digging is always kept to a minimum to protect the soil ecosystem, having utilities marked will be required anywhere reasonably applicable and can be scheduled by yourself or GardenWild Services. If private utilities are present on property it is up to property owner to disclose & mark prior to installation day.
Payment of non-services (planting materials including seeds, potted plants, live stakes, and any additional materials chosen during consultation) will be required before the scheduled installation day.
In time as GardenWild Services grows I hope to be able to be more flexible in my payment arrangements. Growing onsite & purchasing wholesale will both allow me to significantly decrease the cost upfront as well as be more flexible with when it is due. At this time, supplies can only be purchased after your initial deposit for said supplies. In your official estimate, I will have already sourced all materials by comparing local growers for most cost-effective sourcing. If you have questions or concerns about this aspect of our process, please reach out directly and let's discuss it!
Once initial deposit has been made & installation scheduled, the final payment for services will be due on installation day prior to work starting after one final verbal outline of intended work on the day-of. If at anytime after initial deposit you change your mind - give me a call and your deposit can be refunded. Once work has started, if something changes - talk to me... Plants that have yet to be installed can still be recouped & have their amount refunded. Any hours worked prior to will be billed at $30 per whole hour with a minimum of two hours.
(So basically $60 of the total cost is nonrefundable once work has started, in addition to any plants already directly planted)
By the end of your consultation, you’ll have a clear vision of how your yard or property can transform into thriving, gorgeous, native habitat and with your free estimate & quote, a tailored plan to make it happen! If any part of this process isn't clear, or if you have more questions ... Contact me directly and I'll be happy to go over it with you 1-on-1 before you even start!
