Contact Info:
President: Bill Slevin
BS Environmental Design
Rutgers University
Phone: 973-632-0302
Fax: 973-343-7718
Email: bill@slevingroupnj.com
Home Improvement Contractor Licence number: 13VH06266200
Landscape Design
Designing @ The Slevin Group
All designs are pencil on paper. Back in 1991, when I graduated, CAD was just being introduced and was not very user friendly for landscape architects. As a result, we have continued to rely on hand-drawn designs and prefer them to computer-generated renderings.
Purpose
The purpose of creating a design is to develop a cognitive plan for your landscape from inspiration to implementation. There are three steps: Site Analysis, Sketch, and Final Master Plan. The purpose of a multi-step design process is to include the homeowner in the design process. By having a design, you will be able to visualize the completed project. This design also enables us to estimate more accurately and help avoid misunderstandings that may result in costly change orders.
Site Analysis
Our first meeting is the site analysis. The site analysis is a free service and lasts about an hour. The site analysis is the evaluation and examination of the site conditions. We converse with the client to better understand their visions. We will need a copy of your property survey at this time. A sample survey is pictured to the right. We listen to your ideas, take photos, give our recommendations, inventory all the existing plants, take some measurements, and create a list of Design Criteria. The Design Criteria is the 'wish list' of items you want in your new landscape.
Sketch
The sketch is the second step in the design process. We will copy your property survey and sketch all the items off the Design Criteria list onto the plan. This process allows us to show the client a preliminary design for you to evaluate. Attached to the sketch are all the site photos with notes and recommendations. From the sketch and photos we will create a 'Ball Park' price. This estimate will assist in creating a landscape that is in budget. Smaller projects will be contracted in this step. There is no fee for this phase.
Master Plan
This is the final stage in the design process. We create complete scaled drawings for the entire property. This includes details for the hardscape and a complete plant material list with quantities and sizes. This plan will usually be accompanied by an engineering plan.
This plan can be implemented all at once or in stages over time. To implement a master plan, township permits are required. We will assist in filling out all the necessary town applications and applying for the necessary permits. We will provide all necessary copies to the town, the homeowner and all sub contractors. There is a fee to create a master plan and to obtain the permits necessary to implement the design. Not all projects require a master plan and only a few of our projects each year will require one.
All designs are pencil on paper. Back in 1991, when I graduated, CAD was just being introduced and was not very user friendly for landscape architects. As a result, we have continued to rely on hand-drawn designs and prefer them to computer-generated renderings.
Purpose
The purpose of creating a design is to develop a cognitive plan for your landscape from inspiration to implementation. There are three steps: Site Analysis, Sketch, and Final Master Plan. The purpose of a multi-step design process is to include the homeowner in the design process. By having a design, you will be able to visualize the completed project. This design also enables us to estimate more accurately and help avoid misunderstandings that may result in costly change orders.
Site Analysis
Our first meeting is the site analysis. The site analysis is a free service and lasts about an hour. The site analysis is the evaluation and examination of the site conditions. We converse with the client to better understand their visions. We will need a copy of your property survey at this time. A sample survey is pictured to the right. We listen to your ideas, take photos, give our recommendations, inventory all the existing plants, take some measurements, and create a list of Design Criteria. The Design Criteria is the 'wish list' of items you want in your new landscape.
Sketch
The sketch is the second step in the design process. We will copy your property survey and sketch all the items off the Design Criteria list onto the plan. This process allows us to show the client a preliminary design for you to evaluate. Attached to the sketch are all the site photos with notes and recommendations. From the sketch and photos we will create a 'Ball Park' price. This estimate will assist in creating a landscape that is in budget. Smaller projects will be contracted in this step. There is no fee for this phase.
Master Plan
This is the final stage in the design process. We create complete scaled drawings for the entire property. This includes details for the hardscape and a complete plant material list with quantities and sizes. This plan will usually be accompanied by an engineering plan.
This plan can be implemented all at once or in stages over time. To implement a master plan, township permits are required. We will assist in filling out all the necessary town applications and applying for the necessary permits. We will provide all necessary copies to the town, the homeowner and all sub contractors. There is a fee to create a master plan and to obtain the permits necessary to implement the design. Not all projects require a master plan and only a few of our projects each year will require one.
