What Does the Landscape Design Process Look Like?

Many homeowners approach landscape design without knowing what to expect — which creates anxiety about the process and sometimes leads to skipping the design phase entirely and just "starting something." Here's what the process actually looks like at JHL Landscape Design.

Step 1: The Initial Consultation (Week 1)

The first meeting is a combination of conversation and site walk. We want to understand:

What's not working about the current outdoor space
How you use (or want to use) the property — entertaining scale, family activity, gardening, relaxation
What you've seen that you love (photos from Instagram, Pinterest, or neighbors' properties are helpful)
Your timeline and budget range

The site walk portion: we document existing conditions, grade changes, drainage patterns, sun/shade exposure, existing plants worth preserving, and the architectural character of the house. We ask questions about views from interior rooms — because those are the primary landscape views many homeowners experience.

Result: a clear picture of your goals and the site conditions we're designing for.

Step 2: Site Analysis (Week 1-2)

Back at the office, we compile the site documentation:

Grade mapping from our measurements
Sun/shade analysis
Vegetation inventory (what stays, what goes)
Drainage pattern mapping

This is the technical foundation of the design. Good design is site-specific — not templates applied to your property.

Step 3: Conceptual Design (Week 2-3)

With the site analysis complete, we develop the design concept:

Spatial organization: where are the primary outdoor rooms? How do they connect?
Grade strategy: where does grade change happen, and how?
Material direction: what materials fit the site, architecture, and budget?
Planting strategy: what's the character and structure of the planted areas?

Step 4: 3D Rendering (Week 3-5)

The conceptual design becomes a 3D rendering — photorealistic views of your specific property with the design applied. We deliver:

Primary view (from house looking out)
Reverse view (from yard looking back at house)
Aerial overview
Close-up views of key design moments

The review meeting: you see the 3D rendering and respond. What's working, what needs adjustment, what questions does it raise. This is the most productive meeting in the design process — it's specific, visual, and efficient.

Step 5: Design Revision (Week 5-7)

Most projects have 1-2 rounds of revisions based on the rendering review. Typical changes: adjust patio size, move a structure, change material selection, add or remove a feature. These are changes on screen — they cost nothing to make at this stage.

Approval: when you're satisfied with the design, you approve it and we move to documentation.

Step 6: Design Documentation (for Design-Build Projects)

For projects that proceed to JHL installation:

Grading plan with finished elevations
Hardscape plan with dimensions and material specifications
Drainage plan with pipe locations and outlets
Planting plan with species, sizes, quantities, and spacing
Lighting plan with fixture locations

Step 7: Installation

Our crew executes the design. Duration varies by scope:

Focused patio project: 3-7 days
Full outdoor living transformation: 2-4 weeks
Phased master plan (each phase): 1-4 weeks

We document the installation with progress photos and keep you informed of timeline.

Step 8: Walk-Through and Completion

Before final payment, we walk the completed project with you. This is your inspection opportunity. We address anything that needs attention. When you're satisfied, the project is complete.

Ongoing: for planting projects, we provide a care guide for the new plant material and schedule a check-in at 30 days to assess establishment.

Also read:

JHL Landscape Design | PA HIC #PA035784 | ICPI Certified | Licensed & Insured West Chester: 701 S Franklin St, Suite 101, West Chester, PA 19382 Newtown Square: 12 Smedley Ln, Suite 101, Newtown Square, PA 19073 HBA Member | BBB A+ Rating

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