Natural Creations, Inc. specializes in the art of creative, artistic, and naturalistic landscape design. This involves the designing of new or renovated landscapes for both residential and commercial projects. We are often requested to design decks, swimming pools, sidewalks, patios, and low-voltage landscape lighting in addition to actual planting design. We work very closely with clients to develop a landscape theme on each project. This theme is usually based upon the client’s taste and/or the architecture of the building or home to be landscaped. Designs are always functional, low in maintenance, and aesthetically pleasing. Natural Creations acknowledges that their clients have varying tastes; and we make diligent efforts to combine those tastes with our professional ideas.

Natural Creations acts primarily as a design/build contractor. In other words, we design projects, select all the materials needed to complete the project, and install the project to meet the expectations of the client. Designing and installing our own projects allows us total control over the final product. This often includes hand selection of materials required to fit the design, such as spending a great deal of time selecting and tagging the finest quality plant material available.

Designing creative and well contrived landscape requires education, experience, research, skill and time. All of our designers are degreed horticulturists. Site analysis, sketching and rendering of final plans can be very time consuming. Unlike some of our competitors, we are not simply in the market to sell plants—we sell ideas combined with quality labor and materials.

Upon request, we will make one appointment to meet with an interested client. This is a no-charge consultation. At the end of the meeting, we will offer the client an estimated cost for the required design work. This cost may reflect as little as one hour to several days of design time. Following the initial meeting, a landscape plan will be prepared to meet the guidelines discussed with the client.

Following completion of the initial design, a second meeting will be scheduled. The design (plan) and its details, including a proposal with the cost required to implement the design, will be presented. If the client is pleased with the proposed design and ideas, they will then be expected to pay the actual cost for the required design work. A request for design changes (edits) from the original design may be made, and may or may not result in additional cost. No client will be allowed possession of a design without full payment.

Upon acceptance of the proposal to implement the design, the client will be asked to sign our contract which outlines the work to be completed and the agreed cost. They will also be required to pay a 50% down payment.

The following is an outline of our design fee policy:
Our fees are largely based upon the amount of time required to perform design related tasks. In order to achieve the most desirable design effect, it is often necessary to properly plan our projects on paper. This often involves the development of ideas (sketching), drafting, and field analysis. All of our design fees are based upon an hourly rate. Ideas are presented to clients in a "plan" format. Hardscape plans provide needed dimensions for their construction, while landscape plans provide suggested arrangement and placement of plants and planting beds. Landscape lighting plans are also available.

We will gladly meet, at no cost, with a prospective client. If interested, we will provide that client with an estimated design fee. Once a plan has been fully paid for, it becomes the client’s property; until then it may not be used by the client or copied. Keep in mind that "free design work" is often worth what you pay--very little.

1) Landscape projects for existing homes or existing building sites. We charge design fees for all existing and/or renovation projects. Design fees may be adjusted depending upon the size and scope of each individual project. Typical design fees are based upon a half day for a front or back yard only; a full day for an entire yard.

2) Landscape projects for new homes. Typically, we do not charge a design fee to develop a landscape plan for a new residence. We are very happy to develop a general landscape plan and to present the client with its associated cost. However, we do not provide specific plant names or other specifications unless the client chooses to purchase our plan by paying our design fee. A landscape plan is not left in the client’s possession unless otherwise agreed upon. No landscape plan will be submitted to a "Design Review Committee" without either full payment for the plan, or the signing of our Landscape Agreement contract.

3) Hardscape design projects (new and existing homes or building sites). We charge for all of our hardscape design work. Hardscape plans include developing and providing ideas for the layout and construction of:
Driveways Sidewalks Swimming Pools
Decks Arbors Water Features
Patios Retaining Walls
Please note: If for any reason a client is unsatisfied with our design ideas, they may choose not to purchase our plan after it has been presented to them. Any plan not paid for will remain the property of Natural Creations, Inc.

Sincerely, Troy M. Gormally, President

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