COTTAGE & HOME OWNER

PAGE INDEX

• SERVICES TO COTTAGE/HOME OWNERS
  • INTRODUCTION: WHY HIRE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?
  • ON-SITE CONSULTING BY AESTHETICS+DESIGN
  • OUR DESIGN PROCESS
  • HIRE AESTHETICS+DESIGN AND SAVE

PROJECTS

• To view projects, please proceed to our PROJECTS page, thank you

SERVICES TO COTTAGE/HOME OWNERS

• why hire a landscape architect?
• what is the difference between a landscape architect and a landscape designer?
• what services do you provide?
• how much does it cost?

    etc.

• Professionalism

INTRODUCTION: WHY HIRE A LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT?

When hiring a landscape architect in Ontario you can be assured that the individual you are hiring is a full member of The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA). Any person in Ontario, who is not a full member of the OALA, and uses the designation landscape architect, is guilty of an offence according to The OALA Act - Bill Pr37 (Chapter Pr12 Statutes of Ontario, 1984) Professionalism Recognized as a profession by the Province of Ontario, landscape architects in Ontario exhibit six basic attributes expected of all professionals by society. These are: An Intellectual Base. Landscape architects in Ontario have a minimum of four years of university education and two years of apprenticeship or equivalent. Foundations in Private Practice. The standards of the profession are derived from the understanding that meeting the needs of individual clients does not compromise the public interest and that yearly income is paid by fees from many clients. An Advisory Function. The main service of a landscape architect in Ontario is to render advice on the wise and attractive use of the landscape of Ontario. Supporting this function, is the rendering of advice on the technical aspects of landscape construction. Tradition of Service. Landscape architects provide objective, impartial, unbiased services consistent with the public interest. Code of Conduct. Landscape architects render services within an accepted code of ethics. A Representative Institute. The Ontario Association of Landscape Architects represents all landscape architects in Ontario and is their governing body. (excerpt from an OALA brochure)

• How it works

ON-SITE CONSULTING BY AESTHETICS+DESIGN

How it works
Senior landscape architect Marius F.M. de BRUYN (OALA) would come to your cottage/home and provide you with verbal advice on any of the topics below:

• design potential for your property
• landscape preservation and/or restoration potential for your property
• tips, hands-on training in:
  • landscape maintenance
  • landscape construction (building , planting, etc.)

or provide you with:

• feedback on your own design ideas
• a professional critique of your own landscape design or sketch.

*If you are within a 30-minute travel radius of AESTHETICS+DESIGN's Oakville office (assume Trafalgar Road & Dundas Street), or Dwight office (assume Hwy 60&35), if not, a fuel surcharge will apply. Please contact us us for a surcharge quote.
**75 minutes if the site is in Oakville or Dwight.

• How it works
• Part I: Idea generation
• Part II: Design generation
• Part III: Project implementation
• Part IV: Post-construction
• Fees

OUR DESIGN PROCESS

How it works - a simplified description
Part I: Idea generation

1. Senior landscape architect Marius F.M. de BRUYN (OALA) would come to your cottage/home for an initial information gathering session and to survey your property.
2. At our office, your property would be analyzed, then initial design concepts (ideas) developed and sketched out or drawn up.
3. A concept session would then take place at your cottage/home during which the design concepts would be discussed and refined.

Part II: Design generation

1. At the office, the refined concepts would then be molded into a more specific design, defining actual sizes of spaces, materials and plants to be used, quantities etc. The level of detail provided would be determined through the requirements set out in the initial information gathering session, Part I 1. above.
2. Another session would then be held to discuss and finalize the design.

Part III: Project implementation
Arriving at the implementation stage you may find yourself in either one of these scenarios:

• with the design in hand you feel confident that you can proceed with implementation without any further assistance.
• or being a novice in landscaping you feel that you require some assistance in getting the project started.
• or you would like AESTHETICS+DESIGN to provide you with complete project management services.

AESTHETICS+DESIGN can assist you in any phase of project implementation, should you request it.
Implementation services provided may include:

• production of detailed landscape construction drawings, designed to the level of expertise of the installer, may it be for the novice or the experienced do-it-yourself client or for the contractor.
• assistance in material selection, e.g. plants, rockery stones, material sourcing, etc.
• assistance in landscape construction, e.g. planting, paving stone installation, deck/fence construction, etc.

further services for partial or complete project management:

• prepare construction documents in order to obtain quotes
• prepare a short list of contractors to be invited for bidding
• review bids and make recommendations
• manage part or all of the construction
• supervise construction
• inspect construction
• liaise between contractor and client

Part IV: Post-construction
Once construction is completed AESTHETICS+DESIGN can provide you with landscape care and maintenance tips, so that you can properly provide for the landscape that you invested in.
Call on us anytime, should you require further assistance in landscape care or any other aspect of your project.

• Many municipalities have their own local by-laws. A landscape architect may make you aware of the various by-laws that may affect your project, may it be as simple as a zoning setback for a deck or a dock. If the by-laws cannot be adhered to you may choose to apply for a variance, variation or amendment (ask the municipality to make an exception); these exceptions require proper documentation and may be prepared in part or in whole by a landscape architect. exceptions are also subject to public review. Contravening a by-law is not an option - you will be found out when selling your property.
• Specific local, provincial or federal building codes may apply to your project. Failing to adhere to codes could pose a risk. A landscape architect may make you aware of the various codes that may affect your project, may it be as simple as a railing requirement for a deck.
• Hiring a landscape architect may also ensure you that the project area will be properly drained, avoiding potential water damage to your new landscape, your property at large or any neighbouring or down-stream properties.

• Once you have engaged our services and require materials (plants, paving stone, patio furniture etc.) or rental equipment (auger, compactor, saw etc.) for the implementation of your project, AESTHETICS+DESIGN could assist you in obtaining the best possible price, the trade price (where available). The savings in cost could be as much as 50%, comparing regular retail pricing to trade pricing. If the merchant allows payment by credit card, you may even collect points, miles etc. using your affinity card.