Our Process
Hawks Landscape is your source for creative landscape design and the finest quality installation services. Our staff is experienced, knowledgeable and capable of handling projects of any size or difficulty. Below is an example of how one of our Landscape Architects/Designers takes a residential project from the initial meeting with you to its installation in your yard.
1. Initial on-site meeting with an Architect/Designer. At this initial meeting (usually held at your site), we discuss what you would like to do, how you use your space, and what you would like your outdoor space to be. We also review your existing site conditions, budget and phasing. In preparation for this meeting, please review “Things we want you thinking about before our meeting”.
2. Gathering of Site Information. Next, we collect the information needed to put your specific landscape plan together. This includes measuring your site, cataloging any existing plant material, looking at drainage issues, good and bad views, etc.
3. Plan Development. The information gathered from the site is then combined with your needs and the skill of your Designer to create a landscape plan.
“The gentlemen were always polite, did their job and were very considerate of our property and us. I had several friends visit me during this project and all were impressed with their professionalism.” – Suzanne B., Brookfield
4. Review Meeting. You and your Designer review the plan, and it is revised if needed. Installation costs are gone over, phasing is discussed and an approximate project start date is set.
5. Work Begins. Any removals, rough grading and drainage work are done. This generally is the messier stage of the project.
6. Hardscaping and Planting Bed Preparation. If patios, walkways or woodwork are part of the project, they are done at this phase. The Landscape Designer makes many trips to the site at this time to review the project with you and answer any questions you may have. They also work with the Project Foreman to make any adjustments necessary.
7. Plant Installation and Finishing Touches. Finally, any remaining plants are installed, beds are mulched and watered and the finishing touches are put onto your landscape. Your Landscape Designer will then review the care of your new landscape with you.
All sites must pass our 10 point quality checklist before we consider the job complete:
All new plant material is properly watered.- Mulch is installed to the proper depth and is off the stems of the plants.
- All plant material is straight and installed at the proper depth.
- Bed edging is dug/installed to the proper depth.
- Any broken or dead branches/stems are pruned off the plants.
- All landscaping has been installed with the correct pitch for proper drainage.
- Any areas of matted turf are raked up.
- All paved areas have been swept clean.
- Watering instructions have been given to the owner.
- The site is cleaner than when we arrived.
Hawks is there for you during the whole process to make sure your collaborative landscape vision has been turned into reality.
Things we want you thinking about before our meeting
Thank you for considering Hawks Landscape for your Landscape needs. Hawks has been helping homeowners create the landscape of their dreams for 140 years. Our purpose is to ask a few questions that will help us understand your needs.
Every project starts with a vision. One way to find your vision is to create a list of things that may become a part of this project. At our first meeting, we will want to talk about this list and see if we can start to use all this information to create an initial outline of work to be completed.
1. What are my goals or vision for the yard?
2. What is the best part of the yard and what is the worst?
3. Are there specific issues; ie.-wet areas, steep unusable areas, poor views or sound distractions, and good things like a special tree, great views, or a favorite spot in the yard?
4. This is also a great time to look in magazines, the Hawks Landscape website, and in your neighborhood to look for ideas and to try to determine your individual style.
5. Are we trying to create an outdoor room with a patio or deck? If so, how many people on average to you plan to entertain?
6. What kind of materials would you like to use? (ie: brick, wood, concrete or natural stone)
7. Will substantial grading need to be done and will walls be involved?
8. What type of plants do you like? Any plants you don’t want to see used?
9. How much maintenance are you willing to do or have done for you?
10. Have you considered landscape lighting, play areas and structures, vegetable gardens, storage area or water features?
Other very important consideration are time and budgets:
1. What are your priority areas?
2. Are you hoping to do any of the work yourself?
3. Budgets! What is realistic for this year or for the entire project?