A landscape designer works online by first getting a clear picture of what a particular home and property look like.  This involves more than simply getting a face value look at appearances.  It requires an in-depth visualization of the entire scope and scale of the residence, and the many relationships and inter-dependencies of the diverse landscape elements that constitute the property as a whole as an outdoor living environment.

Although the development of such a landscape master plan is truly comprehensive and complex in nature, an experienced designer can often do more online than a local specialist can in person.  This is because the online landscaper has spent years working in multiple landscape disciplines and has perfected skills in botany, design, outdoor architecture, and construction planning. 

Even more importantly, the online landscape designer knows how to create relationships between otherwise divergent structural elements.  This network of relationships in turn generates a unified field of experience that turns the outdoors into an outdoor living environment. 

Such an undertaking requires insight with the mind’s eye—not the physical eyes—so consequently proximity to the residence is far less importance than many homeowners assume at face value. 

To build this spectrum of interrelationship, the landscape designer begins the online planning and development stage of the work by examining digital photographs of the property.  Features like swimming pools, trees, patios, arbors, trellises, courtyards, gardens, and walkways need to be examined up close to pinpoint opportunities for improvement, redesign, and renovation.

Also, the online landscaper will need pictures of any and all utility equipment on the property.  Water spickets, electrical conduits, buried cable signifiers, and gas meters (just to name a few) must be photographed and sent in to the design team so workarounds can be devised that will avoid damaging this equipment and disrupting services. 

Clients are encouraged to take 10-15 pictures of the house and as many of both the front and back yards.  It is paramount to photograph the home from all four sides and to include all significant architectural details in the portfolio.  Zoom in on features like gables, shutters, fireplaces, doorways, brick details unique roof architecture, upstairs balconies, and windows.  This allows the landscape designer online to develop a master plan that will compliment and mirror the home’s finest architectural features. 

The landscape designer online also needs survey documentation to better visualize the scope and scale of your property.  These statistical data these documents contain show the boundaries of the home and the grade/elevation changes that are necessary to building effective, concealed irrigation and drain systems. 

Maps and surveys are often included with the house at the time of purchase.  If these documents are missing, clients can obtain them from your title company by request. 

Once the landscaper receives all of this information, he or she then drafts a preliminary plan.  The client reviews and has the opportunity to request changes until the design meets all expectations.  Upon approval, the final design is emailed to the client so it can be outsourced to a local landscaping outfit. 

Fees for all of these services are based upon hours worked in consultation and any travel expenses that are accrued if an onsite visit is insisted upon by the client.  The initial consultation leading up to the review of photographs and documents is free.  After that, fees apply based upon the amount of labor and time the landscape designer is requested to work either online or in person to complete the process.