Our Process
professional landscape designers since 1999
6 Steps
Our Process
Step 1: Start With Alignment
Before we schedule a consultation, we first review how we work to ensure we’re a good fit for each other. We’ll share an overview of our design-first process, investment expectations, and what it’s like to partner with Trio. If our approach aligns with what you’re looking for, we’ll invite you to complete a short questionnaire (about 15 minutes). The questionnaire helps us understand your goals, challenges, lifestyle, preferences, and budget considerations. We also ask for photos, surveys, or inspiration images if you have them.
This step ensures our consultation is thoughtful, productive, and tailored specifically to you.
Step 2: Consultation + Vision Planning
Your paid consultation takes place via Zoom and begins with a live walkthrough of your property, where you’ll take us outside and show us the space in real time.
After the walkthrough, we review photos, satellite imagery, and shared screens to explore layout ideas, challenges, and opportunities in more detail.
We’ll discuss how you want to live in your outdoor environment, review design possibilities, and talk through realistic investment ranges. You’ll gain professional insight into what your property can become — supported by visuals and ideas tailored specifically to you.
Most clients choose to continue into a scaled design plan. Others use the consultation insights to guide smaller improvements on their own.
Either way, you leave with clarity and direction.
Step 3: Design Agreement
For projects that require scaled plans — which is most of our work — we provide a written design agreement outlining scope and investment.
Design fees typically range from $800–$5,000 depending on the size and complexity of your project.
Once the agreement is signed and the deposit received, we begin the design process.
While most of our projects are full design-build, some simpler replacement projects may move directly into proposal after consultation when appropriate.
Step 4: Site Documentation + Design Development
Our team visits your property to take detailed measurements, photos, and site notes.
From there, your designer develops a scaled plan that integrates:
- The ideas discussed during your consultation
- Sustainable and appropriate plant selections
- Materials chosen for longevity and aesthetics
- Functional layouts that reflect how you live
This phase transforms ideas into a clear, build-ready plan.
Step 5: Plan Presentation + Investment Proposal
We present your completed design along with material selections, plant imagery, and project phasing options.
This is a collaborative review. You’ll have the opportunity to:
- Ask questions
- Refine details
- Confirm scope
- Discuss investment ranges
Some clients choose to use their completed design to manage installation themselves or complete the project in phases.
Many prefer to have our team bring the plan to life — ensuring materials, plant quality, layout accuracy, and long-term performance align exactly with the original design intent.
Your design is yours. However, when Trio installs the project, the same team who created the vision oversees its execution — preserving details, protecting your investment, and delivering the experience we designed together.
For projects we install, a formal agreement is signed, a deposit is collected, and your project is added to our construction schedule.
Step 6: Installation + Stewardship
One week before installation, we confirm details and logistics.
During construction:
- Your designer remains your primary contact
- Our project manager oversees daily execution
- Our crew maintains communication on site
Before completion, we walk the project with you to ensure everything aligns with the plan.
With your final invoice, you’ll receive watering and care instructions to support the long-term success of your landscape.
After installation, we check in and remain available for plant and project questions. Your landscape is an investment, and we want you to enjoy it for years to come.
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Let's Start Planning
We would love to share more on how our landscape design services can work with your needs!
Please call us or fill out the form to be contacted and have a 15 minute free phone call overview of your project to confirm we are a good fit and review how our services work.
What happens next? Once we agree we are a good fit for each other we can prepare to schedule for our comprehensive landscape consultation, as this is the first step in helping you create a fantastic landscape!
Consultations are 11am-4pm Tuesday-Thursday.
All meeting are by appointment.