Bringing your Landscape Design Vision to Life

The Design-Build Experience

Our Design-Build Process ensures your experience is positive from start to finish.

Three reasons to start now.

Maximize planting season

Plan now so when temperatures consistently hit 50°F, we are ready to plant. Spring planting lets your plants establish, beating the summer heat.

Best time for outdoor work

Now is the optimal time for grading and foundation work, setting the stage for the remainder of your project.

Enjoy summer to the fullest

Don’t miss a single day of summer—start your project early so you can cherish every moment.

Call (651) 203-3000

Spring into planning today!

Initial Meeting

Your designer will meet with you to discuss your landscaping project, and answer your questions about our process, warranty, and qualifications. After the first meeting, the designer will determine the scope of the design services and the fees associated with the design portion of your project. Design fees start at $750.

Design and Preliminary Budget

This phase defines the overall scope, direction, and parameters of the project.

  • On-site analysis (measurements & pictures)
  • Base map development
  • Conceptual planning
  • Plant and hardscape material suggestions
  • General construction information
  • Preliminary Budget Estimate
  • Summary of recommendations

Planning and Specifications

This phase focuses on the details of your project. In the end, a detailed landscape plan and project estimate is created. This includes but is not limited to

  • Final design
  • Grading/drainage plan
  • Construction details
  • Planting plan
  • Lighting plan
  • Irrigation plan
  • Soil testing, if necessary
  • Selection of crew members based on experience levels.
  • Subcontractor coordination
  • Determination of equipment necessary to ensure the longevity of construction.
  • Plan presentation to Homeowners’ Assoc, City Hall, or Watershed District if necessary

Construction

Projects are scheduled and built-in order, based on the time we receive a signed contract and payments. Occasionally projects are delayed due to inclement weather, but we do our best to keep you informed and minimize setbacks. Our crews will never abandon someone else’s project to start yours and will never disappear from your project to work on another.

Homeowner Responsibilities

The design and production team will handle almost every aspect of your project. We ask that you

  • Provide a Certificate of Survey (or have a professional survey done to locate and mark the boundaries of your property and/or any setbacks or easements).
  • Meet with your designer/project manager on completion day for a final walk-through.
  • Have all private utilities or buried items, such as irrigation systems, invisible fencing, private gas, electrical, or sewer lines clearly marked.
  • Provide Southview with feedback on our performance at the completion of your project.

The following private utility locating service has served our clients well in the past: Bullseye Private Utility Locating, LLC Cell: (763) 238-5749 Office (763) 754-8014.

Change Orders

Change orders during construction will be pre-approved by the homeowner and fully explained in detail before any work is done.

Final Walk-Through

On the day of completion, your Southview project manager or designer will take you on a guided tour of your landscape and provide information about how you should care for newly planted trees, plants, and turf. Final project payment is required at the end of the final walk-through. If you have any questions after Southview has left the site, just call us and we will be happy to answer them.

Fees & Terms of Agreement

Respect of Intellectual Property

The design plans, specifications, and related documents (including those in electronic form) are prepared by Southview Design solely for the use of Southview Design in the construction of your project. Southview Design is the author and owner of, and retains all rights, including copyrights to plans, sketches, and documents related to the design and planning of the project. Southview Design prohibits the use of the plans for construction by the Customer, or a third party, without Southview’s written consent

Design Fee Detail

Southview charges a minimum Design Fee of $750. This fee covers the designer’s time to create concepts unique to your landscape. Depending on the size and scope of the project, Planning and Specifications Fees may be included in your construction estimate. These expenses include, but are not limited to, professional surveys, architectural or engineering consultations/travel costs, and other items listed on page 1 of this document under planning and specifications.

Payment Schedule for Your Project

PRIOR TO DESIGN: $750 minimum design deposit
PLANNING & SPECIFICATIONS: Included in construction contract
CONTRACT & SCHEDULING: 50% deposit 2 weeks before construction
COMPLETION DAY: 50% of contracted amount
CHANGE ORDERS: 50% collected prior to work completion

Note: Projects over $50,000 may have a specific payment schedule.

Payments can be made by personal check, money order, or credit card. There will be no credit card surcharges for design fees. However, there is a 3% surcharge for payment by credit card for project fees.